It is a route recommended for those who have a good experience in mountain biking and a very good physical training. It is one of the hardest marathon routes in Romania at the moment. On this route will compete the following categories:

  • Amateur Men 19-29 years
  • Amateur Men 30-39 years
  • Amateur Male ≥40 years old
  • Amateur Female ≥19 years old
  • Elite

The length of the Black route is 90 kilometers and has a positive level difference of about 2,350 meters.

The start will be given on Sunday, April 30, at 10:00 from the center of Avrig together with the competitors who will participate on the red route. The first 2 kilometers will be covered in neutralized mode, the competitors crossing DN1 at the exit of the city. The official start of the competition will be given on the way after crossing over the railway.

The first climb is on asphalt and starts from Săcădate, continuing in the direction of Nucet. At the exit of the asphalt, the 8th kilometer of the route, the climb continues off-road. The first more technical descent we have at kilometer 9. At the 19th kilometer we have a difficult descent “La Ferm”, with steep segments and off-camber sections where competitors are advised to descend with increased attention.
The next 9 kilometers are on pasture areas that do not pose much trouble from a technical point of view. At the proximity of DN1, before the Poiana Bradului motel, the competitors suddenly turn left and enter the forest. At the beginning and end of this area we have 2 short and steep descents named on the map “Tunnel”. Especially the first of them could pose problems if the route is wet.
After passing under DN1, a short climb follows before the first filling point, the one at kilometer 22. The competitors who arrive at this point after 12:15 will be transported on arrival by the organizers and will be ranked after the last competitor who finishes the entire route. The climb continues, follows a descent down a valley and then approaches the first steep climb in the route, the special Adicons prize. This segment starts at kilometer 25, has a length of 900m and a difference in level of about 150 meters. The best times for men and women will be awarded by sponsor Adicons with 500 lei each. The rankings are common with the competitors on the red route and are given by the Strava app where competitors will have to download the tour at least 30 minutes before the award ceremony. This segment will be clearly highlighted at the beginning and at the end.

It follows 5 kilometers of trail predominantly in the descent, the last descent before the dam being newly introduced this year in the route. The “slide” is a steep area, without bumps, without turns, with enough braking space at the end but which at first glance could scare some competitors. That is why we recommend approaching it with increased attention.
It crosses a field after which competitors will travel a short portion (500m) on the county road 105G. Since the road traffic is not stopped on this segment, competitors have the obligation to go on the right side and to comply with the traffic rules. At the exit of the road, the 33rd kilometer of the route, we have the 2nd point of supply.
For the 5 kilometers of pier that follow it would not be bad to join a group. At the end of the pier, the black trail is separated from the red trail. At this point the competitors on the black route will turn right and those on the red route will turn left. Also at this point located at kilometer 38, competitors who arrive after 13:00 will be directed to the red route and ranked on the red route.

The railway is crossed, where if a train passes the competitors will be stopped and the lost time will be subtracted from the final time and then a county road is crossed. The route passes by the village of Mârșa and follows 2 kilometers that are covered twice. After the first pass, that is, at kilometer 41.5, the competitors will turn right and enter the 6 kilometers of the Savannah. It descends easily in the tourist area of the Avrig Valley and at the 49th kilometer we have the 3rd feeding point. It follows about 1 kilometer on the road and then we enter a new loop that measures a total of 10 kilometers and includes one of the heaviest climbs of the route with very steep areas but unfolded in steps, which should make it easier to travel on the bike. The first part of the descent after is particularly steep and must be traveled carefully.

At the end of this loop, upon returning to The Avrig Valley, the competitors who will arrive after 14:30 will be stopped from the competition and directed to the arrival on the road. They will be ranked after the last competitor to go through the whole route.

For the female open category, the loop between kilometer 51 and kilometer 61 shall not be covered. The time limit shall be kept, i.e. 14:30 at kilometer 51.

Then begins the last long climb, almost 8 kilometers, on the Jibra valley. It is a forest road that becomes more and more inclined and at the end, after crossing the river, it enters a logging road that takes us to the edge of the Midwife. It is worth mentioning that at the 65th kilometer we have the 4th power point and the fact that the end of the climb is much more accessible than in previous years (for those who know this segment).

It follows one of the most beautiful areas of the route, generally on the descent but dotted with short steep climbs. A path generally drawn on the ridge and that you will enjoy to the fullest until the entrance to the Mârșa plant where we have the 5th power point, at the 82nd kilometer. The route continues on a concrete road for 2 kilometers and then the portion that has been covered once before. This time, however, we no longer enter the Savannah but head to the arrival.

At the end of the route, it is also worth mentioning the crossing of the road from the 88th kilometer where the competitors are asked to be careful even if the crossing is made with the support of the agents from the road service and the crossing of the Avrig River from the kilometer 88.5.

You can find the map, profile and gpx file of the route in the “Routes” section.

Pedaling sports!