Bikepacking Romania and Hungary

On the last part of my solo cycling touring trip I go from Budapest to Bran, through Hungary and Romania. Leaving the safety and luxury of the eurovelo 6, everything becomes a lot wilder very quickly. Still on route to the start of the Transylvania 100K ultramarathon. This was where the real adventure started. Here's Virgin to Vampire part 3.
Many thanks to all the amazing artists for allowing me to use their music!
Alizbar; The Old Story, Dance of Fairies
Around About Dusk; Orchard Fruits, The Frog
William Elliott Whitmore; Digging my grave, Hell or High Water
Curt Ceunen; Special Pantam Beats, Solstitium
Fingers Mitchell Cullen; Envisage
Jan Voorspoels; Dodging Storms
Auka; Cardrona

[@catalinpth]

I found this channel by chance and I'm so glad I did. I feel like I watched a great documentary with great shots and places, emotions and a man as impressive, simple and natural as can be. Congratulations on making it and for having the courage to live such experiences! Greetings from Romania!

[@janvoorspoels]

Thank you! 😃 Wish I asked more advice from Romanians, I feel like I need to explore more there...

[@catalinpth]

If you ever get the chance to come to Romania again, there are plenty of beautiful and natural areas to explore, even if the bike infrastructure is lacking. Most people are also friendly and welcoming. Good thoughts!

[@aephemerial-tv]

A new fan and subscriber right here! Been a blast watching your video, and I will definitely watch the others as I'm planing my own bikepacking trip from Timisoara to Cluj Napoca. P.S. I cracked at "Good nice puppy."

[@janvoorspoels]

Go have fun! Wish I could go again straight away!

[@clairecapes6237]

Seriously your films just make me smile! This trip was epic… A new fan right here Jan 👍🏼

[@janvoorspoels]

Thanks Claire! Wishing you many epic adventures! 😊

[@karenconnell3290]

Simply amazing! Thank you.

[@mihaiapetrii9700]

You just crossed my home town, Lipova...I take biketourists at my hut for a beer and a grill when i see them...i missed you :( ...and in the forrest near Arad, where you get lost, there a really good bike paths...and you were so close to them (near the big river-Mures)

[@janvoorspoels]

Next time I need to do some more research. I was relying too much on an online (outdated) map... But that added to the adventure! 😃 Definitely want to go explore Romania further!

[@mistreku]

If you're going to cycle through eastern EU, equip properly, and get mud tires and high mudguards, as you probably found out already, they are much needed.

[@janvoorspoels]

Definitely different or no mudguards at all!

[@sunshine5-qf4sn]

That mud is something else... I am surprised that you still find something positive in all that mess😀 What a journey! Great videos and hopefully you'll make more🙂 happy cycling!

[@janvoorspoels]

The positive thing about that mud was that I got to use a great song 😃

[@hardi4905]

I could really watch it all day long Jan 😅 I have really nothing much to say than just GREAT JOB mate and 👏for Olaf making it with you on his back 😂😂😂👍amazing adventure!!!

[@janvoorspoels]

Please do, great for statistics 😄 Really appreciate the compliment. This was a hard movie to make, everyday so much happened...

[@user-yb4fw7cm2y]

Recommendation for the next time you come back. Leave your fears at home. The history in these places was quite complicated, hence the fact that you saw many discouraging things. Romania is a safe country, if you know how to take care of yourself, you will be safe. Also try the northern part - Maramures for example, you will change your vision. There is no way to solve the problem with dogs and bears, try to have a bear spray with you. Good luck for your future travels.

[@janvoorspoels]

Thanks for the tips! The fact that I had to take the shortest route this time meant that I missed out on so many beautiful places. Definitely a reason to go back!

[@TheDaninski]

That was great, really enjoyed it.

[@janvoorspoels]

Thanks Daniel, I enjoyed most of it too 😄

[@mihaicojocaru4307]

You are so exciting about everything 🎉 with this dogs don't be scared just ignor them . If is very agresive you need to stop. They will not atack . Situation with the dogs from sheepfold is diferent into the mountains . You need to stop and good to have a peper spray if not cach some stones because can bite if many of them . But never turn with the back or run . Just keep your posture !

[@janvoorspoels]

Thanks for the advice. I actually only noticed when watching the clip how quick they turned away when I raised my hand.

[@65andbackonthebike]

Another film proving you are among the best action video makers, Jan! Great job indeed once again! 😃👍 And don't worry, sooner or later a bear will cross your path on your savage trails 😄

[@janvoorspoels]

Thank you 65 😃 Look forward to your next one!

[@mihaicojocaru4307]

Bears you can see in Busteni, Sinaia there like dogs walking on the street 😂 verry less probably to see them into the deep forest . They can see you and smell you from long distance and avoid you. Anyway is good to carry a bear spray and never ever stay with your food into the tent in night ! Allot of wolfs also but you will never see. They avoid people like hell. Werever you see Pension like hostels you can ask to stay with tent into the garden for a modic price . It seems that you don't find good bike trails there are there good forest roads and villages with honest people . Via Transilvanica is a nice hiking trail (1200 km ) that can be make with bike also ( not all) is a new road very impresive I hope that I can do it one day .....many caves , underground rivers , canions pfff you miss allot 😊😊

[@janvoorspoels]

I'm sure the bears smelled me 😄 I did store all the food in one panier that i stored 100meters from the tent. No nibbling that night... I'm sure I missed a lot by just going in a straight line, next time I will explore more, like that Transylvanica trail! I hear a lot about it since my post...

[@mbrylewski]

I really didn't want the video to end. So much wisdom shared during your journey. Wish I could've shared a ride with along the way

[@janvoorspoels]

I didn't want it too end either 😄 Maybe we'll meet somewhere along the way!

[@SimonMartin-tz5ii]

Great video Jan, thanks. Congrats to you and Olaf

[@janvoorspoels]

Thank you! Olaf is getting restless again... 😃

[@remind1932]

Olaf.. grazie per averci fatto vivere e sognare momenti stupendi e paesaggi spettacolari in questo bellissimo tour. Sei una bella persona .. Complimenti 🎉😊 Ciao d Caserta ❤

[@janvoorspoels]

Ciao Caserta! ☺ Thank you for your kind words, maybe one day I'll pass by through Italy!

[@lindajesse8250]

Your dear old dad sent me.

[@janvoorspoels]

😄 Welcome to the family!

[@MrJx4000]

Just found your channel--how do you get the motivation in the morning to pack up and go on those dreary and wet days? It's good to see what that part of the world looks like, thanks for the video (but drop the background music, please ;-)

[@janvoorspoels]

Hi there, Most of the time I just stop thinking and get it over with. It's often better on the bike with all the waterproof on than sitting in small tent in the rain. I do like critisism, what don't you like about the music?

[@Tom-fj1hi]

I watched all your videos in 2 days and I'm so glad you shared everything. Feel like I got to know you through your videos. Imspressive how strong you are. How do you train for an ultra? I fall down on the couch already after an 20k jog 😬 The bikepacking adventures really made something loose in me. The urge for freedom and adventure. I would love to do it but having 3 young children and a wife it just seems impossible for now. Should focus more on the micro adventures for now. Again thank you so much for sharing. Groeten uit Nederland 😊

[@janvoorspoels]

Hi Tom, I'm happy I can inspire with the videos. It's all real life without filters or trying to hide the reality, so you do know me a bit 😊 Training for an ultra... I believe it is more a lifestyle. I've always worked on my feet and where possible made my life difficult. 😄 It make you quite resilient to hardship and you learn that life is full of possibilities, and you are capable of far more than you think. In your case, maybe don't limit yourself, there are plenty people on the road with young children. Or go alone if you can work something out with your partner. There are ways, find the right people to talk to. 😊 A week away will benefit everybody! Your kids get stories, you get freedom, and your wife has a great bargaining chip to make you do anything she wants! 😃 Good luck!

[@Tom-fj1hi]

@@janvoorspoels hahaha what a great positive guy you are. You are totally right. I will find a way 😀 thanks.

[@showstimer]

How heavy are all your bags? It seems like big bags, but not sure how much is in them.

[@janvoorspoels]

I'm not sure really, i kept the front light because the carrier frame was fixed with cablestraps after a hit. It was quite heavy, definitely after shopping! I saw it as an extra workout 😊

[@michaelsiervo7898]

im very happy wile watching😆

[@janvoorspoels]

Glad you enjoy it! I was not always so happy when cycling...