Czech rider Gaspi, always in search of new terrains, chose Romania for its stunning landscapes and accessibility by car – a crucial factor due to airline restrictions on transporting e-bike batteries. He set out with trusted companions: photographer Miloš Štáfek and cameraman Marty Smolík who had accompanied him on numerous expeditions for the Zam project. “I like to plan all the specific goals in detail beforehand, so we don’t waste time on unnecessary trips,” Gaspi explains. He uses digital tools like Instagram and Google Earth to scout potential destinations, ensuring they are prepared for any scenario. “I always carry a practical foldable paper map with me in the car, just in case we lose phone connection or the batteries die,” he adds with a chuckle.
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 Fagaraş 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. “Next thing you know, these bears might start stealing motorcycles from German tourists and ride them like circus bears,” Gaspi joked.
Fruitful connection
During his research, Gaspi stumbled upon Cristian Dunca, a key figure in Romanian heli-biking. Cristian’s 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 – H125 and AS 355 Ecureuil 2 – ideal for mountain operations. The H125, notably, is the only helicopter to have landed on Everest’s summit.
Cristian, a former motocross rider, represented Romania in the European Championship’s 85cc class. Reflecting on his racing career, Cristian notes, “Competing against top riders like Ken Roczen and Jeffrey Herlings, I quickly realised the challenges posed by differing economic backgrounds and cultures.” 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. “After 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,” Cristian shares.
E-MTBs: A gateway to mountainous adventures
Now, Cristian is a strong advocate for e-bikes, which he sees as revolutionary tools that open up new possibilities for accessing challenging terrains. “E-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,” 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: “The land plays music for those who listen.” He adds, “Being in nature made me realise I’m constantly battling myself. In the mountains, there’s 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’s why I enjoy backcountry riding more and more.”
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.
Enthusiasts can choose from rides in the Țarcu, Poiana Mărului 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’s 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 Băile Herculane – a perfect way to unwind after a long day in the saddle.
The journey
“We decided on a roughly 25 km circuit after an evening briefing, leaving enough time for photography and filming,” 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. “The climbs are so steep that I can’t imagine how we would manage without the help of an electric motor. In this respect, I see a great future for e-bikes,” he adds. “I know it sounds crazy – having your e-bikes flown to the mountain ridges by helicopter – but when you look at it practically, I think, why not?”
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. “Even if the battery runs out, the base sends a terrain truck to pick up any lost riders,” says Gaspi.
Romanian impressions
As for the level of Romanian heli-biking, Gaspi is impressed: “Surprisingly luxurious,” he says, comparing it to his experiences in Canada where he had the chance to ride on Rainbow Mountain in Whistler and the ridges in Pemberton. “The Romanian setup is better and much gentler on the bikes. In Canada, there’s a risk of damaging the bikes because they’re 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’s a safety briefing for passengers, including instructions on where to move around the helicopter and where it’s dangerous,” Gaspi describes. He gives a big thumbs up to the quality of the services provided by the Dunca family’s agency. He’s already planning to return to Romania to organise a bike camp.
“I have it all planned out – it won’t be this year but definitely next year, and I think there won’t be just one,” 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. “That alone stirs emotions and suggests it will be a great adventure. The thing is, in the Romanian mountains, you can’t 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,” Gaspi concludes.
