Made it to Brasov

Wednesday 21st June. Very glad I’d taken the afternoon off and saved the rest of the uphill for slightly fresher legs. Toasty when I left the campsite but cooler in the shade of the trees as I went up. According to the sign posts hairpins were at 7% – absolutely perfect for me – enough to push me but not kill me altogether and definitely no having to get off to push Bertie. I’m in bear country and although I’d love to see one not sure I want to come across one when I’m slowly going uphill. This is pretty much the route I did – zoom in to see the hairpins. https://www.komoot.com/tour/1180050202?ref=aso&share_token=aPUlwlQ6hdskDJy7h1Gkvqlrst0gXkeuXwgke71xIxSyguxe1j

At the top there is a police presence and some lorries have been pulled over. I’m looking for somewhere I can get off the bike and I’m approached by a policeman and wonder what he wants but he’s just come to point out a picnic table that is hidden from view behind a truck and tells me to take my time before heading down the other side.

Some lovely swoopy sections going down. Some tough wee uphills too  – barely an incline but into the wind. The blue of Lacul Tarlung lower down was amazing.

Two days ago when I was struggling in the hills I saw some beautiful houses – someone of which are probably holiday homes – I’ve been told that Romania has a similar problem to the UK and I’m sure it happens right across the world – with incomers buying holiday home and pushing the prices up for everyone else. Here I saw the poorest house I’d seen so far – nothing more than a run down shack with some chickens scratching in the mud outside – it was more in keeping with pictures I’d seen of shanty towns in India. Today on the edge of another town, only a few miles from Brasov, another very poor area and I had to remind myself I was still in Europe

The last few miles into Brasov was hectic – some good sections of cycle path as you got closer to the old town but before this there was a stretch where I had to unload and reload Bertie because of steps – there was a concrete ramp but it was so steep I didn’t use it. Finally at hostel – Bertie has been abandoned at the reception for a few days – I’m scrubbed up and got my clothes washed and time to relax for a few days with my sister, b-in-law and nephew for a few days.