Romania on two wheels. Maybe it has never been on your bucket list, but as we quickly discovered from our scouting trip – this is a European country crying out to be ridden. Thanks to our Portland team member and leader of this adventure, Ovi Puia – who grew up in Sibiu, Romania – helped MotoQuest unlock the hidden gems of this country so you can now experience this great land with us. This trip is centered around the awe-inspiring event of the Red Bull Romaniacs Hard Enduro and focuses exclusively on the Transylvania region. From this event to UNESCO villages locked in time, riders will get to enjoy a country soaked in the past and present. 

A few years back, founder Phil Freeman was able to be a part of the scouting adventure for this trip and we so nicely tasked him to recall his experience discovering the wonder and beauty that is found in Romania.

Romaniacs Adventure

July 15, 2020 – July 27, 2020
July 14, 2021 – July 26, 2021

Here’s Phil:

It’s always a treat to be amidst a world-class international motorsports event, knowing you are one of the few North Americans there. This was the case when I was leading our scouting trip in Romania and watched the incredible Red Bull Romaniacs Prologue. For those who are not familiar with this race, imagine the hardest test of man and machine against impossible natural and man-made obstacles. Insane is a good word to use at this point. 

Before you even get to see the races, which goes on for days around the picturesque city of Sibiu, you get to witness the unbelievable “Prologue” qualifying race right in the city. If you have not seen any footage, start now (with this highlight reel from the 2018 event), and you will understand what one of our riders drastically understated, “It’s like a hare scramble, but more condensed.” 

The prologue is an obstacle course of unimaginable proportions, laid out in downtown Sibui, and serves as the qualifying round for the Red Bull Romaniacs race. I remember the night before the Prologue, the group went to the Prologue course and walked it. It was so rugged, it was difficult to even put one foot in front of the other without falling!

Being in Sibui for the Red Bull Romantics event is something I’ll never forget. Festive is not even close to describing the electricity of excitement swirling in the air as thousands of spectators from all over the world take in the race activities. It’s really an incredible event to be a part of. 

Romania itself is a treasure house full of natural beauty, profound history and epic paved roads. Add to this 5 days in Sibiu, witnessing one of the truly unprecedented challenges between man, machine and nature, and you have a trip worthy of gratifying memories that will last a lifetime.

Ovi is our man in the field, leading next year’s Romania Adventure. 

He was born and raised in Sibiu and will give our riders unique, first-hand insight into the history and mentality of a culture that seems to lie comfortably between medieval times and today. Go to Romania and watch the Prologue and subsequent races, and find that you too have been witness to a real treat! 

Thanks, Phil! We hope you are getting the itch to see this incredible countryside. We’ve worked in to get some great bike options for this tour. The base bike is the nimble and always comfortable BMW G650, but we also have a few upgrade bikes remaining for those who want something a little bigger or planning on coming with a passenger. We still have ONE BMW F850GS and TWO BMW R1200GS motorcycles available. If you want either of these upgrades, please act quickly as they often get taken by early bookers.

Another thing to note is that Ovi is very passionate about showing riders his country. If you have any questions at all about this adventure, let us know in your inquiry that you’d like to speak with Ovi and our team will get him in contact with you!