Meet Suzi: Our Trailblazing Female Mountain Bike Guide

Suzi, huge congratulations on becoming the second woman ever to reach the highest level of European Mountain Bike Instructor qualification! How does it feel to hold a title that so few women in the world have achieved?

Thank you! This was a big goal of mine for a few years now and I am very happy to have finally achieved it. Knowing that there is only one other woman to have obtained this certification made this feel quite daunting, but it also motivated me to work towards this goal, to show that it is not impossible to achieve. I hope to inspire other women to give it a try.

How did you first get into cycling and what made you decide to take on the mountain biking course?

I discovered cycling in university when I met my husband. He was really into cycling; and I decided to buy a bike in order for us to spend time together. I soon discovered I was enjoying this sport a lot. Spending time in nature, combined with the perfect mode of transportation for discovering new places, hit the jackpot for me. Because I am a competitive person, I decided to give racing a try. From then, my life was shaped by cycling and I am very grateful for that. What I achieved professionally with racing and personally from this journey made me feel like I had to give something back and also help others discover cycling, which is why I decided to become a guide and an instructor.

What was the most challenging part of that qualification process, and what kept you motivated when things got tough?

The qualification includes 7 exams that test both soft skills and physical and technical preparation over 4 days; it is a very grueling experience. My preparation for the exam was split into two phases. In 2024, my strategy was to prepare as best as I could for the exams I thought were my strong points. I passed 5 out of the 7 exams, and I considered it to be a great success.

For the next year, I had fewer exams to prepare for, but I think that working on our weaknesses is the toughest. On the bright side, it also offers the biggest reward. What kept me going was looking at the big picture and thinking that these are just steps in the right direction. I tried not to put too much pressure on myself, to do the best I can in the time I have, and if it’s not enough, try again next year. Fortunately, I passed with no problem!

As our first female guide in Transylvania, what has been the most rewarding part of showing travellers your home from a bike?

I am very passionate about mountain biking, so getting to show our guests some of my favourite places in our country while riding bikes is my idea of having the best time. Slow cycling through Transylvania hits the sweet spot between going slow enough that you get to smell the wild flowers, but far enough that you get to see all of the best parts.

How has the mountain biking scene in Transylvania changed since you started, and do you see more local women getting into the sport?

Cycling is on the rise in Romania and in Transylvania. More people are becoming aware of the beauty of this sport and using it as a way to discover places. Cycling has become more accessible and has evolved from being just a way of exercising to a way of spending quality time in nature and having a healthy lifestyle. In Transylvania, the work of some great people and associations made it a lot easier for people to experience the joys of mountain biking with specially built trails and events that promote it.

We are so excited for our first-ever fully female-guided Slow Cyclist journey. What are you most looking forward to about leading an all-female group through Transylvania?

I am very excited about this upcoming trip! After taking part in and organising female-only events, I can say for a fact that these types of events have a special atmosphere.

You’ll be one of two female guides on this trip. How does the dynamic change when the leadership and the guests are all women?

The atmosphere a group like this creates is very encouraging and relaxed. No pressure and no competition, as you sometimes get in mixed groups. I expect this to be a trip that everyone enjoys and from which everyone gets exactly what they need.

Without giving too much away, is there a view or a village on your guiding routes that always takes your breath away?

I think that there is something for everyone, from beautiful forests to open fields with views of Romania’s highest mountains and remote villages in hidden valleys to a medieval town on top of a hill. If I had to choose one, it would be the view from one of the church's bell towers; you'll know it when you see it!

What would you say to a woman who is nervous about joining a multi-day cycling trip or feels intimidated by the sport?

I would say that events like these exist especially for them. This is the perfect environment to try something new. The trip is designed so everyone can ride at their own rhythm and the e-bike allows you to choose the assistance level as you need it. So you only need the “endurance” to visit beautiful places every day, eat delicious food and drink good wine. I hope everybody has that.

We are incredibly lucky to have Suzi leading the way on our women's journeys and inspiring us to reach new heights. If you’re feeling inspired to get into the saddle and experience the wild beauty of Transylvania for yourself, you can view our upcoming journeys and women-only trip on our scheduled journeys pages.