A STORY WRITTEN IN THE WILD MOUNTAINS OF ROMANIA

The “Legends of Gugu” camp. A high-alpine, heli-accessed eMTB retreat, hosted by We Ride Romania, coached by MTB legend Richard Gasperotti, and conceived of for riders looking for more than just a ride, because the Legends of Gugu camp isn’t about riding bikes, it’s about living them.

The weekend started on a quiet summer evening at the Hotel Montis,

in the Muntele Mic ski resort.

Riders from far and wide were gathered for the briefing. The coach laid out the program in detail, and the stoke was real. As the sun dipped behind the peaks, riders clipped in for a short ride through the resort. It was the perfect chance to test the eMTBs, loosen up muscles that were stiff from travelling, and get into the mood for the days to come.

DAY TWO. IN THE MOUNTAINS, NATURE ALWAYS HAS THE FINAL WORD.

With the helicopter grounded by adverse weather, our mission turned into a true test of guts and grit: There was nothing for it but to load up the gear and pedal all the way up to the private chalet.

The climb was long, heavy and demanding but the reward waiting at the top was priceless: Warm food, a remote mountain hideout and the prospect of personal coaching sessions with Gasperotti.

SATURDAY. WAKING UP IN PARADISE.

The day dawned bright and clear and the whine of the turbines on the helicopter spinning its blades just outside the chalet told us it was time to be off to Țarcu Peak. What followed afterwards was a dream blend of flow, technical descents and steep tricky climbs.

The perfect terrain to challenge you just enough for a skills course to really come into its own. We reached Poiana Mărului Lake, filled up on traditional food at El Camino, and lifted off once again to the high ridge and the start of the Coffee Lady trail, a legendary, demanding track across razor-sharp crests.

Waiting for us at the end of the trail was its namesake, the Coffee Lady herself, there with freshly brewed coffee to sign off on a perfect day out. That night, a mind-blowing steak on the grill sealed the deal on an unbeatable day out in the mountains.

SUNDAY. CLEAR SKIES AND PERMISSION TO FLY TO THE MYTHICAL GUGU PEAK.

Once at the summit we paused before setting off. Not for a rest, as we hadn’t even started, but for stories. Stories of the Dacians, of their worship of Zalmoxis, and of treasures hidden before the Roman conquest. A short moment of tribute to the spirits of the mountain before pointing the bikes downhill once again into a six-hour, 35km blast through the wild.

By the time we rolled into Poiana Mărului, batteries were drained and our bodies exhausted, but “What a day!” A military truck was waiting, the final ride of the camp, carrying us home with the memories of four truly unforgettable days.

RIDING HERE IS MORE THAN JUST SPORT. IT’S DISCOVERY.

Each trail bears the weight of history, every ridge whispers a legend, and every climb is rewarded with views that remind you of just how small we are out here.

The Carpathians remain raw and untamed and that’s what makes this camp so unique: It’s an exclusive chance to connect with nature, to share the mountain vibe with a handful of kindred souls, and to write your own story in a land where myths and adventure still walk side by side.