{"id":7174,"date":"2024-08-27T18:02:39","date_gmt":"2024-08-27T16:02:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/uk\/?p=7174"},"modified":"2024-09-12T18:11:20","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T16:11:20","slug":"gaspis-romanian-adventure-discovering-a-new-playground-for-heli-biking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.welovecycling.com\/uk\/2024\/08\/27\/gaspis-romanian-adventure-discovering-a-new-playground-for-heli-biking\/","title":{"rendered":"Gaspi\u2019s Romanian Adventure: Discovering a New Playground for Heli-Biking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Richard Gasperotti, known among true bikers as Gaspi, recently embarked on an exhilarating journey through the Romanian mountains on his e-bike. During this adventure, he teamed up with Romeo and Cristian Dunca who run a heli-biking service at the Muntele Mic resort. The result was a breathtaking experience that, in many ways, outshone Gaspi’s previous adventures in British Columbia. Would you dare to join and fly?<\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Czech rider Gaspi, always in search of new terrains, chose Romania for its stunning landscapes and accessibility by car \u2013 a crucial factor due to airline restrictions on transporting e-bike batteries. He set out with trusted companions: photographer Milo\u0161 \u0160t\u00e1fek and cameraman Marty Smol\u00edk who had accompanied him on numerous expeditions for the Zam project. \u201cI like to plan all the specific goals in detail beforehand, so we don’t waste time on unnecessary trips,\u201d Gaspi explains. He uses digital tools like Instagram and Google Earth to scout potential destinations, ensuring they are prepared for any scenario. \u201cI always carry a practical foldable paper map with me in the car, just in case we lose phone connection or the batteries die,\u201d he adds with a chuckle.<\/p>\n

The Romanian mountains offered a diverse range of experiences. The team explored a secret area with rock formations resembling those in Utah, the volcanic region offering long descents down extremely steep slopes, and the iconic Trans Fagara\u015f route, known for its rocky peaks and isolation from civilisation. One unforgettable moment was when they encountered a bear in the mountains, followed by the surprising sight of a bear family begging for food near a lake. \u201cNext thing you know, these bears might start stealing motorcycles from German tourists and ride them like circus bears,\u201d Gaspi joked.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Bears are a regular sight in Romania. \u00a9 Milos Stafek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fruitful connection<\/strong><\/h2>\n

During his research, Gaspi stumbled upon Cristian Dunca, a key figure in Romanian heli-biking. Cristian\u2019s father, Romeo Dunca, is a renowned adventurer and motorsport pioneer, being the first Romanian to complete the Paris-Dakar Rally on a motorcycle in 2005. Romeo has also skied to both the North and South Poles and climbed Manaslu in the Himalayas. With over 9,000 hours of flight time, he operates two Eurocopter helicopters \u2013 H125 and AS 355 Ecureuil 2 \u2013 ideal for mountain operations. The H125, notably, is the only helicopter to have landed on Everest\u2019s summit.<\/p>\n

Cristian, a former motocross rider, represented Romania in the European Championship\u2019s 85cc class. Reflecting on his racing career, Cristian notes, \u201cCompeting against top riders like Ken Roczen and Jeffrey Herlings, I quickly realised the challenges posed by differing economic backgrounds and cultures.\u201d After sustaining several injuries, he transitioned to enduro racing and became the youngest rider in history to start in the Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro rally. \u201cAfter breaking my knee for the fourth time, I decided to stop racing in 2012. It was a turning point; I went on to study business management in Vienna where I fell in love with mountain biking and discovered Austrian bike parks,\u201d Cristian shares.<\/p>\n

\"Helibiking\"<\/a>
Would you dare to join and fly? \u00a9 Milos Stafek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

E-MTBs: A gateway to mountainous adventures<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Now, Cristian is a strong advocate for e-bikes, which he sees as revolutionary tools that open up new possibilities for accessing challenging terrains. \u201cE-bikes allow you to cover greater distances, climb steeper hills, and thus spend much more time outdoors. Thanks to e-bikes, I can easily cover 50 to 80 km in mountainous terrain in a day,\u201d he says. Cristian enjoys long rides on his Mondraker Crafty Unlimited e-bike, sometimes extending his trips into overnight adventures under the stars. Reflecting on his connection with nature, Cristian quotes Canadian landscape painter Reginald Holmes: \u201cThe land plays music for those who listen.\u201d He adds, \u201cBeing in nature made me realise I\u2019m constantly battling myself. In the mountains, there\u2019s no need to prove anything to anyone, to compete as in other sports or at work. In the wilderness, I only overcome myself in my own way. Maybe that\u2019s why I enjoy backcountry riding more and more.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2018, the Dunca family introduced an innovative concept: heli-biking in the Romanian mountains. After returning from his studies, Cristian decided to help his father expand the family business, which involved operating a ski resort with a chairlift. For several seasons, they have been offering heliskiing and heliboarding, and Cristian saw an opportunity to cater to mountain bikers. The first heli-bike trip was a huge success, quickly gaining popularity among Romanian bikers. Cristian invited his childhood friends, Caius and Razvan Riskut, who were racing in fourcross at the time, to help spread the word.<\/p>\n

Enthusiasts can choose from rides in the \u021aarcu, Poiana M\u0103rului or Cuntu mountain ranges, offering a wide range of experiences from alpine zones with rocky ridges to forest trails with roots and rocks. A typical heli-bike trip starts at around 2,300 meters and descends to about 300 to 400 meters, with distances ranging from 15 to 75 kilometres. Cristian\u2019s latest project, The Great Hercules EMTB Experience, is a 100-kilometre route through Carpathian areas steeped in Romanian mythology. This journey combines historical exploration with exhilarating mountain biking, culminating in the thermal baths of B\u0103ile Herculane \u2013 a perfect way to unwind after a long day in the saddle.<\/p>\n

\"E-MTB\"<\/a>
Richard Gasperotti, known among true bikers as Gaspi, recently embarked on an exhilarating journey through the Romanian mountains. on his e-bike. \u00a9 Milos Stafek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The journey<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cWe decided on a roughly 25 km circuit after an evening briefing, leaving enough time for photography and filming,\u201d explains Gaspi. The unexpected challenge is highlighted by the fact that he completely drained the 400 Wh battery on his e-bike over this distance. \u201cThe climbs are so steep that I can\u2019t imagine how we would manage without the help of an electric motor. In this respect, I see a great future for e-bikes,\u201d he adds. \u201cI know it sounds crazy \u2013 having your e-bikes flown to the mountain ridges by helicopter \u2013 but when you look at it practically, I think, why not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Cristian led the combined Czech-Romanian team from the ridges down to the lower mountain areas where the wide path narrowed into a single trail leading to a lake with the opportunity to swim in crystal-clear water. From the lake, they climbed again around a waterfall back to the base. \u201cEven if the battery runs out, the base sends a terrain truck to pick up any lost riders,\u201d says Gaspi.<\/p>\n

Romanian impressions<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As for the level of Romanian heli-biking, Gaspi is impressed: \u201cSurprisingly luxurious,\u201d he says, comparing it to his experiences in Canada where he had the chance to ride on Rainbow Mountain in Whistler<\/a> and the ridges in Pemberton. \u201cThe Romanian setup is better and much gentler on the bikes. In Canada, there\u2019s a risk of damaging the bikes because they\u2019re transported en masse in one net. In Romania, the bikes are carried in a sturdy metal rack, and all team members follow a precise schedule. There\u2019s a safety briefing for passengers, including instructions on where to move around the helicopter and where it\u2019s dangerous,\u201d Gaspi describes. He gives a big thumbs up to the quality of the services provided by the Dunca family\u2019s agency. He\u2019s already planning to return to Romania to organise a bike camp.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have it all planned out \u2013 it won’t be this year but definitely next year, and I think there won’t be just one,\u201d Gaspi promises. He views Romania as a country offering the chance to experience wild nature, with bears, wolves, and other animals typically seen only in zoos. \u201cThat alone stirs emotions and suggests it will be a great adventure. The thing is, in the Romanian mountains, you can\u2019t just stop for a bratwurst and a big beer like in Austria, which I also love, but Romania promises a much bigger adventure. Another reason is that so far, you had to go overseas for real heli-biking but here, this experience is literally within reach with top-quality helicopters and service. Romania has won my heart and I’ll be back soon,\u201d Gaspi concludes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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