The 50 Greatest Bike Rides of the World,
by Sarah Woods
(2016) contains a chapter on the Romanian Carpathian Mountains (pp.
103-108). While mentioning other
wildlife, much of the chapter focuses on the brown bears, with the disquieting
information that they can reach speeds of 30 miles per hour in short bursts,
faster than most cyclists (and definitely me).
In this beautiful region Woods classifies
the scenery as ‘meditative’, the words ‘traffic-free’ making it sound like a
slice of heaven. There is little detail
on road conditions other than a reference to rough country roads and high
ridges requiring the need to use low gears, but the endurance level is listed
at moderate, probably accurate for most non-ursine situations, though one would
have to pick the route carefully.
The chapter is rather disappointing as
there as much on bears as there is on the countryside through which Woods passed. There is no map showing her route and she
does not mention any places she visited, nor the way of life of the people one
might meet. She does though provide
details of the websites of the Romanian Tourist Board and Cycling Romania,
which will be of greater use.
Weather conditions, naturally variable in
the mountains, are not discussed, nor the problems of cycling at altitude. We are not even told in which bit of the
Carpathians she was: apparently, while each range offers its own unique cycling
experience, the Southern Carpathians are the most popular, with mountain passes
and stunning vistas. She could have said
much more about this region and its cycling potential, but the format limits
each route to a few pages, and those at her disposal were not well spent.
