miercuri, 22 februarie 2012
Bike trip in Hungary with my friend Marius Reghis ( august 2009) - part 1 - The beautiful Budapest
We start this tour in the beginning of august. Till Kecskemet we travel by car. Marius' brother-in-law gives as a lift and we save 2 days of cycling. The first day we cycle less then 80 km on a secondary road and we decide to stop right at the entrance in the hungarian capital. Here we stay and enjoy a nice dinner and some beers at a restaurant.
Then we withdraw to sleep behind some bushes across the street where is a field.
We sleep very well and the next day we are ready to explore the wonderful Budapest.
After about 12km we get to a huge bridge. We are close to the city center.
After crossing the bridge we get to a bike path and we start visiting the city. An interesting entrance of a building draws our attention.
Not far from here we get to a magnificent palace.
The next stop is beside a green bridge.
It's time for us to admire a bit the mighty Danube and the buildings across the river.
In the vicinity we get to the Fishermen's bastion, a famous highlight of Budapest.
Then we see a lovely white bridge.
Not far from here we can admire a great waterfall.
Then we climb one km. with a gradient of 10% and we get to Citadella where we can enjoy a great vista over the Budapest.
Here on the walls of the citadel we can see many pictures with Budapest in times of yore.
Quite interesting indeed!
Then we have a photo together with the view over the city.
Budapest remains one of the best capitals in Europe!
Here we also come across some gorgeous statues.
Then we go down next to the Danube and we carry on cycling to the north. On our way we catch the glimpse of a luxurious ship.
We follow the bikepath and now and then we stop to snap a photo. We see another interesting building.
Soon we get to the Chain bridge which is the oldest in town.
We also can admire a stately church soon.
But the most impressive highlight of all Budapest remains the Parliament's Palace.
We simply can't have enough of gazing at this marvelous construction that bewitches our minds.
That was the splendid Budapest. Then we get out of it and we sleep next to the Danube on a lawn near a village. Nobody bothers us and we are happy.
Then we withdraw to sleep behind some bushes across the street where is a field.
We sleep very well and the next day we are ready to explore the wonderful Budapest.
After about 12km we get to a huge bridge. We are close to the city center.
After crossing the bridge we get to a bike path and we start visiting the city. An interesting entrance of a building draws our attention.
Not far from here we get to a magnificent palace.
The next stop is beside a green bridge.
It's time for us to admire a bit the mighty Danube and the buildings across the river.
In the vicinity we get to the Fishermen's bastion, a famous highlight of Budapest.
Then we see a lovely white bridge.
Not far from here we can admire a great waterfall.
Then we climb one km. with a gradient of 10% and we get to Citadella where we can enjoy a great vista over the Budapest.
Here on the walls of the citadel we can see many pictures with Budapest in times of yore.
Quite interesting indeed!
Then we have a photo together with the view over the city.
Budapest remains one of the best capitals in Europe!
Here we also come across some gorgeous statues.
Then we go down next to the Danube and we carry on cycling to the north. On our way we catch the glimpse of a luxurious ship.
We follow the bikepath and now and then we stop to snap a photo. We see another interesting building.
Soon we get to the Chain bridge which is the oldest in town.
We also can admire a stately church soon.
But the most impressive highlight of all Budapest remains the Parliament's Palace.
We simply can't have enough of gazing at this marvelous construction that bewitches our minds.
That was the splendid Budapest. Then we get out of it and we sleep next to the Danube on a lawn near a village. Nobody bothers us and we are happy.
marți, 21 februarie 2012
Crossing Romania by bike with a friend from Canada in april 2009 ( part 4)
The Sebes River is ideal for fishing and is very rich in trout. This route is one of the most picturesque from our beautiful Romania.
Soon we get to Oasa lake, one of the best from our Carpathians.
We cycle a few kms. enjoying the view over the lake and the Parang Mountains. Then me make a halt to have something to eat at Oasa Chalet.
Cycling in such a lovely area is quite an enjoyable pastime. Peter's Peak (2130m) can be seen at the horizon.
All the day we have to go down next to the Sebes River passing through interesting villages and enjoying wonderful views. In the evening we get to Sebes, quite a nice town and then we go to Lancram where we pay our respects to the great poet and philosopher Lucian Blaga who is burried here in the village where he was born.
It's quite a solemn and emotional moment for me. Blaga is one of my favourite writers.
Then we sleep in a motel just before the entrance in the Municipality of Alba Iulia. The next day we have to cross the Western Carpathians which are not so high as the Middle Carpathians that we've already passed.
Cycling another 15kms. from Alba Iulia we get to the wooden gate of the Western Carpathians.
Soon we get to Ampoita village where we can see some spectacular limestones' formations on a hill.
The scenery is very green and brightful and the traffic is so light.
Till Zlatna we have a steady and easy climb, then not far from Abrud we have a few kms. of tough climb with hairpins. We climb Bucium Pass (915m).
From the pass we have another 10km of descent with severe gradient till we reach the beautiful and historical town of Abrud.
From here we follow a scenic route passing through traditional villages and enjoying great views.
This lovely area is full of rolling hills and the colours of the spring are really vivid and enticing.
We have to climb another pass but this one is very easy and we are rewarded with the magnificent vistas. The villages seem to be scattered all over the hills.
Soon we get to Vulcan Pass(725m) and here we find a chalet where we eat some delicious traditional sausages.
Right in the vicinity there is a huge hill(1124m) and this is a great place for climbers and paragliders.
We decide to spend the night here, so we pitch the tent next to the chalet on a lawn and we have fun drinking beers and chatting about our adventures.
The next day we enjoy a fast descent of about 8km long with plenty of hairpins. Then near Mihaileni village we struggle against the toughest climb from all our tour.
The gradient reaches 20%. we are lucky that the climb is only 500m long. I am very happy to vanquish it.
On our way before entering Criscior we run into a flock of sheep.
Then from Brad we have to take a train till my place for tomorrow we are going to set out on a new bike trip in the Western Carpathians.
This was a glorius bike trip and I thank my friend Razvan from the bottom of my heart. Dear Razvan I'm looking forward to you returnig to Romania to have a new bike tour together.
Best rergards,
your true friend Claudiu
Soon we get to Oasa lake, one of the best from our Carpathians.
We cycle a few kms. enjoying the view over the lake and the Parang Mountains. Then me make a halt to have something to eat at Oasa Chalet.
Cycling in such a lovely area is quite an enjoyable pastime. Peter's Peak (2130m) can be seen at the horizon.
All the day we have to go down next to the Sebes River passing through interesting villages and enjoying wonderful views. In the evening we get to Sebes, quite a nice town and then we go to Lancram where we pay our respects to the great poet and philosopher Lucian Blaga who is burried here in the village where he was born.
It's quite a solemn and emotional moment for me. Blaga is one of my favourite writers.
Then we sleep in a motel just before the entrance in the Municipality of Alba Iulia. The next day we have to cross the Western Carpathians which are not so high as the Middle Carpathians that we've already passed.
Cycling another 15kms. from Alba Iulia we get to the wooden gate of the Western Carpathians.
Soon we get to Ampoita village where we can see some spectacular limestones' formations on a hill.
The scenery is very green and brightful and the traffic is so light.
Till Zlatna we have a steady and easy climb, then not far from Abrud we have a few kms. of tough climb with hairpins. We climb Bucium Pass (915m).
From the pass we have another 10km of descent with severe gradient till we reach the beautiful and historical town of Abrud.
From here we follow a scenic route passing through traditional villages and enjoying great views.
This lovely area is full of rolling hills and the colours of the spring are really vivid and enticing.
We have to climb another pass but this one is very easy and we are rewarded with the magnificent vistas. The villages seem to be scattered all over the hills.
Soon we get to Vulcan Pass(725m) and here we find a chalet where we eat some delicious traditional sausages.
Right in the vicinity there is a huge hill(1124m) and this is a great place for climbers and paragliders.
We decide to spend the night here, so we pitch the tent next to the chalet on a lawn and we have fun drinking beers and chatting about our adventures.
The next day we enjoy a fast descent of about 8km long with plenty of hairpins. Then near Mihaileni village we struggle against the toughest climb from all our tour.
The gradient reaches 20%. we are lucky that the climb is only 500m long. I am very happy to vanquish it.
On our way before entering Criscior we run into a flock of sheep.
Then from Brad we have to take a train till my place for tomorrow we are going to set out on a new bike trip in the Western Carpathians.
This was a glorius bike trip and I thank my friend Razvan from the bottom of my heart. Dear Razvan I'm looking forward to you returnig to Romania to have a new bike tour together.
Best rergards,
your true friend Claudiu
luni, 20 februarie 2012
Crossing Romania by bike with a friend from Canada in april 2009 ( part 3)
In Voineasa we sleep in a guest house and we spend an enyoyable evening after eating in a restaurant. The next day we have a long climb. The first few km. are quite easy. Then we meet an old man with an old romanian car and Razvan enter into conversation with him. He is a native and very proud of his area.
Soon we find a spring and there we meet another funny old man we talk to.
Soon we have to face a long climb with many hairpins.
After more than one hour of hard climbing we get to an area whre we can see snow beside the road.
One more hour of cyclung and we get to the top of the Curmatura Vidrutei Pass (1575m).
We enyoy the splendid view and we are quite excited.
Then we have 5 km. of descent on a road full of potholes, and then we climb one more km to get to Vidra, a ghostly ski resort.
The view is quite spectacular, but it's a pity this resort fell into ruin.
From here we have to cycle another 17 km on a rather flat road next to Vidra lake, but it's interesting the lake seems to have been drained.
At Obarsia Lotrului we have a great time, we eat a delicious trout with garlic sauce and polenta and we drink a very good hot red wine together with some amiable boozers.
Then we rent a cabin and have a sound sleep till morning.
The next day we have to climb Tartarau Pass (1678m) in Parang Mountains. Here at Obarsia Lotrului we are at an elevetion of 1340m, the air is strong and chilly but the landscapes are great.
Soon we gain altitude and we are immersed in the empire of the coniferous trees.
It is a wild area, the road is unpaved, we feel so good in the middle of the sublime nature.
As we make a slow progress upwards, the road gets muddy and the snow surrounds us.
Not far from the top of the pass, the layer of snow beside the road is pretty thick even if we are on 23th of april.
We even come across trecherous and difficult sections of the road where we can hardly ride our bikes.
Soon we get to the pass and we enter the county of Alba belonging to Transylvania region. We leave Oltenia behind us, and we reach a more developped and more civilized region of the beautiful Romania.
The descent is very spectacular in a lovely coniferous area.
Soon we get to the clear ans sparkling waters of the Sebes River. The snow is still present.
The road even if it is muddy, it is rideable and in a good condition.
Soon we find a spring and there we meet another funny old man we talk to.
Soon we have to face a long climb with many hairpins.
After more than one hour of hard climbing we get to an area whre we can see snow beside the road.
One more hour of cyclung and we get to the top of the Curmatura Vidrutei Pass (1575m).
We enyoy the splendid view and we are quite excited.
Then we have 5 km. of descent on a road full of potholes, and then we climb one more km to get to Vidra, a ghostly ski resort.
The view is quite spectacular, but it's a pity this resort fell into ruin.
From here we have to cycle another 17 km on a rather flat road next to Vidra lake, but it's interesting the lake seems to have been drained.
At Obarsia Lotrului we have a great time, we eat a delicious trout with garlic sauce and polenta and we drink a very good hot red wine together with some amiable boozers.
Then we rent a cabin and have a sound sleep till morning.
The next day we have to climb Tartarau Pass (1678m) in Parang Mountains. Here at Obarsia Lotrului we are at an elevetion of 1340m, the air is strong and chilly but the landscapes are great.
Soon we gain altitude and we are immersed in the empire of the coniferous trees.
It is a wild area, the road is unpaved, we feel so good in the middle of the sublime nature.
As we make a slow progress upwards, the road gets muddy and the snow surrounds us.
Not far from the top of the pass, the layer of snow beside the road is pretty thick even if we are on 23th of april.
We even come across trecherous and difficult sections of the road where we can hardly ride our bikes.
Soon we get to the pass and we enter the county of Alba belonging to Transylvania region. We leave Oltenia behind us, and we reach a more developped and more civilized region of the beautiful Romania.
The descent is very spectacular in a lovely coniferous area.
Soon we get to the clear ans sparkling waters of the Sebes River. The snow is still present.
The road even if it is muddy, it is rideable and in a good condition.
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