Carpathian gravel loop
The plan was simple: stay off asphalt whenever the map allowed it and sleep wherever the evening found me. The Carpathians are made for this — long forest roads, quiet villages and passes that are rarely busier than a few logging trucks.
Route
Nine days, mostly gravel, with two rest days. The first half followed old forestry roads; the second half crossed the ridges on shepherd tracks that turn into mud after an hour of rain.
What went wrong
A slow tip-over on a wet root snapped the clutch lever on day three. A spare folding lever, two zip ties and a very kind mechanic in the next village fixed it before lunch. Lesson: the spare lever is not optional.
Practical
| Fuel range needed | ~250 km |
|---|---|
| Tyres | 50/50, aired down to 1.6 bar on gravel |
| Best stop | A farm guesthouse with homemade cheese |