Lucian Marica

Few days ago, a fine evening, my motorcycle was quietly waiting in front of my house, where I usually left it during the day. I though I should bring it into the yard, as I don’t have to go anywhere else for that day (unfortunately). Since I started riding it not a long time ago (I got my license like 3-4 weeks ago), I`m always in the mood for a ride, and feel such a pity every evening when I have to get him inside. Fortunately, when I got on an started it I remembered why I wanted it in the first place: to be free and to ride wherever and whenever I feel like it. So I took some money, a backpack and a bottle of soda, and turned on the engine for my first longer road: to my family in Lesu (BN).

I got there that evening without any incidents, thinking of returning to Cluj Napoca the second day. But in the morning I thought I should make a small detour, that I would get a little soft-enduro also (I just knew my motorcycle wants it), so I took the opposite direction, on the forest road from Lesu to Tihuta Pass (about 20km), having in mind that I will return via Bistrita – Cluj.

Forestier road

Same road

Dracula`s Castle

After resting a little at Dracula`s Castle, took a meal and got back on prepared to go down the Bargaie toward Bistrita when… pfff… the road was bad… potholes… The road up toward Suceava was just so inviting. Brand new hot tarmac. See ?! Really had no choice there. From Tihuta to Vatra Dornei the road was simply superb, but from there on I bumped into lots of portions of road with work in progress, and that slowed me down a lot.

Mestecanis Pass

Mestecanis Pass

Once I got in Suceva I meet a friend of mine who owns a motorcycle service, so I changes the brake pads and engine oil. I spent the evening partying with some friends at their favorite bar (with that occasion I also called my boss, announcing that I took a vacation). Next day I decided that the road back trough Vatra Dornei – Tihuta would be boring now, so I headed south, without knowing where, although I had some ideas already. Riding from Suceava to Bacau I realised that essentially I have to decide between motorcyclist meeting at Brasov and Vama Veche. Lots of kms a thought about it, balancing over and over the options, but when I finally reached the crossroad where I had to decide, it al became a lot easier. Yes… the sign was there. I could see some heavy clouds on the way for Brasov. So Vama Veche will be. Leaving Bacau behind I pulled the gas a little harder, planing to reach Galati till evening and stay over night at some friends. Was the first time when I cruised at higher speeds (for what I was used to), maintaining about 140kmh, with 160kmh sessions. The red TransAlp behaved exemplary.

Mausoleum for the Heroes from Marasesti

I took the route Marasesti – Tecuci heading for Galati. Unfortunately, somebody lost a sharp screw in the middle of the road, and I couldn’t leave it there, so I decided to pick it up with my rear tire :) . About 60km away from Galati (the night was slowly taking over), I had from time to time the strange feeling that my rear is drifting a little. Well… must be because I’m so tired, or because of the road. But I kept sensing this harder and harder, so eventually I decided to stop and take a look. I didn’t dismounted, and from my pov everything looked ok. When I started…. whooohaaa… my back was running sideways like crazy. Flat tire. Excellent. In some forgotten village, about 60km away from Galati, and outside was completely dark. No… you won’t find a service here. No chance. Nope, the next village neither. Same with the next one. All the replies were negative, and I was beginning to get worried, as it seemed more an more to be a no exit situation.

Fixing flat tire

Finally I managed to get on the phone with my friends from Galati. When they heard what happened they didn’t wasted a minute, prepared themselves with some vulcanization tools and jumped into car, heading my way. Pfiu… that was a relief. In the mean time, I asked some enthusiastic kids who came to see my motorcycle if they know anyone that could help me.

I was finally pointed to the right direction, and by the time my friends arrived, the wheel was back on, fixed and I was ready to go.

I spend the night at one of my friends home, getting some good food and good sleep, and of course a long awaited shower. Next day they also were so kind that they even came with me on the ferry when I crossed Danube. After that, they headed back home and I continued my way, going to Vama Veche. About six in the afternoon I was there, I parked quickly and jumped into the Black Sea for a swim.

Vanatori, near Galati

Crossing Danube on ferry

Oh I`m so cool

In Vama Veche I met some friends of mine from Cluj, Taipan, Camelia and others. After partying late into the night, I slept on the beach, next to my motorcycle so the sun should not burn me in the morning. The next day we decided we should go and visit the bulgarian resort at Black Sea, Balchik.

Entering Bulgaria

Taipan and Camelia

Balchik

After another night in Vama Veche, I finally headed back home in the morning. But first I had to go to Limanu, so Ehor Jan, a guy I had a deal with, could mount some crash-bars on my bike.

Ehor Jan

Harsova Bridge

I left Limanu in the afternoon, worried a little about my gas money, and the dark expected to fall pretty soon. I was hoping to pass the Carphatians before the sun went down, as Prahova Valley has a magnificent scenery that I was overexcited to see. I just followed the road signs, and passed rapidly city after city, with just once cigar break, founding myself on schedule. But after Urziceni, just when I was about to enter next village, I began to feel very tough every little bump in the road. Flat tire again… this time the front wheel. As I was just 100m from the village entry sign, my thought was to go and find some help there. Luckly, a friend who does that route regularly, called to see how I`m doing and told me to get the fuck away from there as soon as possible, as that village was one of the worst, full of gypsies that “would dezmembrate your motorcycle in no time”. So I walked about 3km back pushing the motorcycle all the way to Urziceni. After spending some time asking and searching, I finally found a service open, but “they are just closing, sorry man”. I explained the situation to the manager, he said “go talk with the boy, maybe he wants to stay over and help you, of course, you pay now to me and give him something extra”. Just great… my TA`s fuel consumption was very low and nice, but now I was really worried that I won`t have enogh money to get me home. But didn`t really had a choice there, so I accepted. “The boy” snorted at me and finally said the he will do it, but I have to dismount and mount back again the wheel by myself… well ok.

Again ?

About half past ten I left Urziceni, so the road home will be during night. The thought scared me at first, to ride such a long distance without any serious night-riding experience previously acquired, but in the end it turned out to be quite pleasant. Night drivers act with more “professionalism” than usual drivers, its not so hot, and the road is usually clear. About 5 in the morning I was finally parking the motorcycle.