It is a route recommended for those who have a good experience in mountain biking and a very good physical training. The competition held on the black route opens this year the Romanian XCM Mountain Bike Cup being the first stage.
The route is almost 50% new compared to previous years. It is a little longer, 72 kilometers, but the biggest change comes from the difference in level – 2,500 meters compared to 1,400 last year. On this route will compete the following categories:
- Elite Men
- Amateur Men 19-29 years
- Amateur Men 30-39 years
- Amateur Male 40-49 years
- Amateur Male >50 years
- Women’s Open >19 years
Participants who opt for this route will start on Saturday, April 18, from the center of Avrig. The exact start time and procedure will be communicated a little closer to the date of the competition. The first kilometer, until the exit from the city, will be covered in neutralized mode and the official start of the competition will be given immediately after crossing a bridge.
Shortly after the start (approx. 2 km), the competitors will also meet with the first climb. It is about 2 kilometers long and is followed by a veiled segment, with a single trail drawn on the area called Savannah. At km 6, the Black Route together with the Red and Blue Route separates from the Yellow Route. At this point, the competitors on the Black Route (along with Red and Blue) will turn left, while the competitors on the Yellow Route will go straight ahead.
At the end of Savannah, about kilometer 9, we have the path called Horse Trail that starts with a slightly more difficult descent, we cross a river and continue uphill to the first feeding point, at km 11.
We climb gently on the forest road for about 600m and continue forward along with the Red route when the Blue route turns right.
After another 3 km, at km 14.5, the Negru route separates from the Red route: Negru – > left, Roșu -> right.
We continue for 1 km on the road and then we enter the Power Lap, a 4.5 km circuit that we will cover 3 times. It should be noted that on this kilometer of forest road before entering the Power Lap the traffic is open, in the final part the route crossing DJ 105F. You will find warning signs and people who will direct you, but go with increased care.
The Power Lap consists of 2 ascents and 2 descents, technical, demanding, with part of the first descent through a river, and the public access to this area is very easy – 10km from the start on the paved road DJ 105F. At the entrance to the Power Lap we have the 2nd power point that can be used at each of the 3 passes. After going through this circuit 3 times, we turn left and go about 3 km slightly uphill towards Poiana Neamțului / Ferma de Cerbi. The next 3km can be considered a comeback before what is to come.
We start in a slight climb about 1 km to the feeding point 3 (km 35.5) and then we have the queen climb of the route, Molde. 4.5 kilometers, average gradient of 13.3%, ending at 1,210m, the highest point of the route. The descent that follows is on a former exploitation road, a gutter with boulders, the hard one kilometer of descent from the route. We continue downhill on a forest road for 3.5 km to the point where the Black route meets the Red one again. Here, km 45, we have a time limit – those who do not reach this point by 14:30 will be directed to the finish on the shortest road (descent).
A 3.5km climb follows, on a forest road whose slope gradually increases, to the 4th feeding point, km 48.5.
After the feeding point we cross the bridge over the river, walk a short potion on the contour line and then start the steepest segment of the route, the “Spring Flower” climb. This year this segment is designated as a special Adicons award. 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 black route and are given by the Strava app where the competitors will have to download the tour as soon as possible after the end of the competition. This segment will be clearly highlighted at the beginning and at the end. It starts at kilometer 49, has a length of 600m, a level difference of about 100 meters and an average slope of 16.4%.
The climb ends at the edge of the Midwife, where we enter the marked tourist trail (red triangle) that descends from the Suru chalet.
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 edge and which you will enjoy to the fullest until the entrance to the Mârșa plant where we have the 5th supply point, at kilometer 63.
The last part of the route no longer presents major difficulties, either physically or technically. The only challenges are crossing the river at kilometer 65.5 and crossing over the railway bridge 70. Crossing this bridge is recommended to do it next to the bike.
Areas that take place on public roads must be traveled carefully and in compliance with traffic rules. The route finally crosses 2 paved county roads, at kilometer 69 and 71, respectively. These crossings are secured by route referees together with road service agents, but competitors must make sure before crossing.
You can find the map, profile and gpx file of the route in the “Routes” section.
Good luck at training!
