The routes to the rally could not have been more different – each rider had her own route and her own style. Whether on the direct route via the motorway, by van, or on winding roads, meandering from the south or the north – solo or in a group, this year it was all there.
As I can only report on my own journey, I’ll take you with me on my route:
Our journey began in Vienna, where we loaded the motorbikes onto a transporter.
Destination: Tabăra Săulia in the heart of Transylvania.
Once there, the real adventure began – an almost 1000-kilometre tour through the Carpathian Mountains, which included both the ACT and TET routes.
This impressive tour took us through breathtaking landscapes, challenging trails and unforgettable moments before the last day of the adventure finally dawned – and with it the beginning of the rally story.
A real monster round was on the programme today. Early in the morning, we headed south from Brașov, right through the Carpathian Mountains. A short stop at the legendary Bran Castle – known as ‘Dracula’s Castle’ – was of course a must before we trudged through seemingly endless roads littered with roadworks. But then the longed-for moment finally arrived: we reached the famous Transfăgărășan.
The route starts quite unspectacularly from the south, but quickly becomes a masterpiece of winding bends and curves that took our breath away – or maybe it was the altitude. The picturesque reservoir that spread out along the road was particularly impressive. But the absolute highlight was the bears! Big and small, they sat at the side of the road or crossed the carriageway.
After days in which we had not seen a single bear in the remotest corners of the Carpathians, this was a surprise – and yet somehow not. The bears here are fed by tourists, which makes them literally ‘pose’. Despite their cuteness – the bears, not the tourists 😉 – it is advisable to keep a healthy distance.
The sight of the bears attracted many onlookers, which almost jammed the road despite the low volume of traffic. But with our motorbikes, we were usually able to meander past without any problems. At the top of the pass, we enjoyed the breathtaking view back before entering the tunnel to get to the better-known side of the Transfăgărășan.
The usual traffic jam awaited us at the end of the tunnel, but like experienced motorcyclists, we simply rode a little ahead – just like our Hungarian colleagues. At the point where the road turns into a lively bazaar, things got tight: wooden stalls lined up closely together, with hundreds of tourists crowded in between. However, we found a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle with our bikes, parked and climbed up to a viewpoint to take the famous panoramic photo of Transfăgărășan.
After that, we quickly escaped the chaotic hustle and bustle. After about 1.5 kilometres, the traffic calmed down and we were able to enjoy the now almost empty roads again. We continued along busy roads through the plain to Sibiu and finally to Turda. The heat was oppressive, so we took advantage of the refuelling stops for cool drinks and a well-earned ice cream.
From Turda, the route took us through the rolling hills of the region back to Săulia, where we arrived at the lake at around 4.30 pm. The atmosphere was warm – there were familiar faces everywhere, which of course had to be greeted properly. After the reunion, it was time to set up the tent, load up the van with Junior’s bike and any excess luggage, and prepare for the traditional welcome dinner.
One last call reached us before dinner: Sonja had a gear problem with her Kawasaki Vulcan – unfortunately, remote diagnosis could not help. Finally, we said goodbye to Junior, who was making his way home to Vienna – a journey that is probably only possible so spontaneously at his age. He would arrive there at around 2am.
The welcome dinner was excellent, the atmosphere exuberant and the subsequent disco put everyone in a party mood. But in the course of the evening, tragic news made the rounds: a WIMA – a very good friend and acquaintance of ours – had collided with a car on the last few kilometres of her journey and died at the scene of the accident (in the presence of Italian WIMAs).
This loss overshadowed the evening and made us all reflect. It was a painful moment that reminded us once again of the transience of life and the importance of our community.