Our expedition had a rough start. Pali Bácsi wasn’t feeling well in the morning, so we had to find another volunteer to join our bikepacking tour. This caused a slight delay, and we ended up starting our journey from Miercurea-Ciuc around 4 PM.

Before hitting the road, our team of four visited the local NGO Ingens Risus in Miercurea-Ciuc. We had a great conversation about our project, and their staff genuinely curious to learn more.

The route proved to be quite challenging, with long uphill stretches and a persistent headwind. But every tough climb was rewarded with a refreshing downhill ride, where the cool breeze gave us a welcome chill.

Along the way, we discovered Pasul Vlăhița, part of the Via Mariae pilgrimage route. We also stopped by some mineral water springs with striking orange hues, and later encountered a cold water geyser at Băile Chirui. The taste of the mineral water wasn’t everyone’s favorite—but the experience was memorable nonetheless.

We ended the day by finding a peaceful camping spot in Merești, next to the Homorodul Mic—a small, gentle river. We crossed it to get farther from the main road, hoping to avoid the sound of passing cars at night. After setting up our camp, we were ready to rest. It had been a tiring day, and we fell asleep to the calming sound of the flowing river.