Just got back from one hell of a ride in Romania, where we took on the Piatra Craiului Hard Enduro—code name HPEC7. This event is the real deal, with demanding terrain, proper organization, and a vibe that makes you want to keep coming back for more.
We showed up as a crew of seven:
Me (Thanasis), Michalis Tsachouridis, Pavlou Pechlivanidis, Nikos Giamalidis, Dimitris Pagonis, Dimitris Kampalas, and of course, our very own Enduro North Star racer, Dimitris Kazakis.
Kazakis fought hard through the madness and kept it steady around the 28th place in the Extreme category. Big thumbs up to him—this was no Sunday ride.
Just getting there was a challenge on its own.
We had to drive a solid 2,000 km to reach the race area—vans packed with bikes, gear, tools, and pure excitement. This wasn’t a quick weekend trip. We had to be there days before for sign-ins, tech checks, and setup—and stayed even after the race ended, packing everything back, loading tired bikes and even more tired bodies. It takes a serious commitment, time, and energy just to get to that starting line.
As for me, I entered the Veterans class… which turned out to be anything but. These “veterans” were national championship-level riders from Romania, New Zealand and other places. I managed to finish the prologue (with pride), but day two brought trouble—a radiator leak took me out of the official race timing. Still, I wasn’t going to let that ruin it. On the final day, I grouped up with the rest of the team, rode all the checkpoints, and crossed that finish line with a huge smile.
Now, let’s talk about the event.
The man behind the race is Sorin—hats off to him and his big, efficient crew. Everything was on point: medical checks, technical inspections, timekeeping, track marking… even Graham Jarvis himself was racing in the Gold/Pro category.
(Quick side note: I got to help the Graham Jarvis fix his skid plate. He rolled up with it half-hanging, I offered help, and he simply said, "If you're offering…" Damn right I was.)
The whole setup was like a small village—tents, bike stands, daily parties with campfires, good food, and drinks. We stayed at Popasul Craiului, a charming vintage hotel right where the action started. Rooms were clean, the setting was beautiful, though the staff could’ve been a bit more tuned in (boots indoors? breakfast delays?), but nothing major.
What stood out was the rider-friendly schedule. No 3 a.m. wake-up calls like at Romaniacs. We had time for breakfast, the riders’ briefing, and started at a very sane 10 a.m.
Now don’t let “Hobby class” fool you. This was no beginner's track. Trails were tough, steep, and technical. A real test, even for experienced riders. Saying it’s for beginners is a flat-out lie. If you show up thinking it’s an easy ride, you're in for a big surprise—or trouble.
The prologue had some flowy trail bits mixed with timed sections and special challenges. Race days? 69 km on day two, and 61 km on day three. Day one was a dust bowl, then the skies opened. Mud and slick roots ruled the rest.
Oh, and let’s not forget the bear. Yes, a full-size bear ran across the trail, right in front of me and Michalis, mid-uphill. Fast, silent, and gave us a story to tell for years.
The marking was so clear and well-organized that even though GPS was required, we barely needed it. Flags, ribbons, labels—it was all easy to follow even when we were pushing hard.
About 150 riders joined the race, the vibe was amazing, and the staff super friendly. Ticu was the GPS guru, and our friend Alex Tara even stopped by to say hi. It was great catching up.
A huge thank you to my wife, my cousin Vasili, and my daughter Xtina for coming along. They helped with refueling, snacks, sandwiches, and photos—couldn’t have done it without them. Seeing Xtina snapping shots of me out there during my first international race gave me strength. Felt the love big time.
Truth be told, I was physically wrecked before even starting—too many weeks of guiding and working flat out. But I still gave it my all and managed to ride alongside some seriously strong, young riders. Better prep next time, for sure.
Big respect to Pavlos and Nikos for pushing through most of the Expert class tracks. And a huge shout-out to the whole team—your good vibes, laughs, and positive energy made this trip unforgettable.
We’ll be back. Stronger, smarter, and hungrier.
Until then—keep it pinned.
– Thanasis
#enduro #endurotours #endurogreece #enduroingreece #enduronorthstar