Paralympic Guiding on the Via Transilvanica: In Conversation with Angelo
We’ve always believed that every individual who helps run our journeys in-country offers something unique and wonderful to our guests and the wider Slow Cyclist community. This is certainly true of Angelo, a cornerstone of our Romanian team. When he isn’t supporting our guests through the rolling hills of Transylvania, Angelo is engaged in a far more high-stakes pursuit: serving as a guide for elite visually impaired athletes in the Paralympics. We sat down with him to ask how he got into guiding, about his recent tandem expeditions on the Via Transilvanica and how his philosophy of "pushing limits" defines his work with his long-term Paralympic partner, Adrian "Adi" Tamaș.
A Life Defined by the Slopes
Angelo’s journey began on the competitive ski circuits of Romania. "I was a professional skier until my late teens," he explains. "But the real shift happened in 2017 when I began working with sit-ski athletes."
While he narrowly missed out on qualifying as an Alpine guide for Pyeongchang 2018, he attended the games as a technician for Paralympic snowboarder Mihăiță Papară. It was shortly after that he met Adi, who is totally blind. Together, they formed a partnership that spans seasons and sports - skiing in the winter and tandem cycling in the summer.
The Via Transilvanica by Tandem
In 2023 and 2024, Angelo and Adi took on Via Transilvanica, Romania’s long-distance trail. We asked Angelo how the experience of guiding a tandem differs from the high-speed demands of the ski slopes.
"Skiing actually offers the athlete more freedom, but it’s far more dangerous," Angelo notes. "Adi is on his own skis; he follows only the sound of my voice. On the tandem, I have total control of the bike, and he provides the power from the back. It’s safer, but the terrain of the 'Via' presents its own challenges."
As for highlights, Angelo loves the variety of the Romanian wilderness. "You start at 400 metres in the heart of Transylvania and climb to 1,200 metres in Bucovina. The terrain is constantly changing. It’s a wildness you simply don't find in Western Europe anymore."
Getting Out of the Comfort Zone
One of Angelo’s core philosophies is that athletes with disabilities can be over-protected. During their 2024 expedition, which involved four tandems and four guides, Angelo intentionally embraced the unpredictable.
"I didn't want it to be perfectly organised," he said, "I wanted to push Adi out of his comfort zone. To become stronger and more adaptable, you have to step outside the safety net. In Romania, sport for disabled people is often seen as 'unusual,' but I want to make it normal. They are athletes, first and foremost."
Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026
While Angelo remains a vital part of the Slow Cyclist Romania team, his current focus is the 2026 Winter Paralympics in Cortina. He is currently training a team of four athletes, including Adi and newcomer Popa Sorin Andrei, who competes in the standing category.
"The goal is qualification," Angelo says. "It’s a hectic season of racing across Europe, but the ultimate dream is to eventually build a dedicated Paralympic training centre in the Romanian mountains."
For those looking to follow in Angelo's tracks on Via Transilvanica, Angelo’s advice is perfect for aspiring travellers to the region:
"Take your time. Whether you are a fast cyclist or a slow one, the beauty is in the wildlife and the authenticity of the places where few people go. Romania still feels 'wild' in a way that is very rare today."
Inspired to discover the untamed beauty of Bucovina and Via Transilvanica? We invite you to join our journeys and experience the wild heart of Romania for yourself.
