Simple Planning of European Bicycle Touring Journeys
A cycling friend called me and discussed that he and a pal were headed over to Germany for 3 weeks of bicycle touring and could I offer any advice. I soon recognized that he was taking a look at Europe the same way he goes bike touring in North America. In the meantime, European Bicycle Touring is absolutely different and a way more arranged experience.
The friend commented he had a leaflet from the tourist office listing over 200 bike routes in Germany. To his surprise when I started mentioning some of the top bike routes they were not listed in the leaflet.
As an example the 420 kilometer Romantic Road bike route from Wurzburg (near Frankfurt) to Fussen close to the Austrian border seemed to be missing. Really it is discussed but only as small bike trail in one of the states. The pamphlet promotes cycling by area and does not cover long distance cycling. You take to buy one of the excellent maps to take advantage of the many routes.
The concept of getting and staying on one bike trail for 400 - 500 or even more kilometers was foreign to him. There are only a very few routes of this nature in Canada or the Usa and none offered the facilities available in Europe.
I discussed he could either cycle right from Frankfurt airport or roll his cycle right onto the bike car on the train as only the ICE (Intercity expresses) don't carry bicycles in Germany. If he uses the trains on weekends the costs may be a great deal.
The pal wanted to do some camping and also stay in some Bed and breakfasts and 1 or 2 little hotels. The truth is that many of these establishments include a full buffet breakfast in the rate and have storage facilities for bicycles is truly amazing, it makes planning simple. I haven't, ever found this in North America, although some hotels do permit cycle storage when asked, they do not have bike storage rooms.
I advised him not to worry about road traffic as on the long distance bike routes, whether in the country or cities you are riding with motorists who are used to folk bicycle touring and well local bicyclists out for shopping or an entertaining ride.
But this not only is applicable to Germany as all European countries offer some kind of long distance cycle touring routes.
Whether you take your own cycle or hire you'll need a set of cycle panniers for your gear together with the cycling attire and you are all set.
So before going cycle touring in Europe clear away those North American perspectives about cycle touring and have a fabulous time!
The friend commented he had a leaflet from the tourist office listing over 200 bike routes in Germany. To his surprise when I started mentioning some of the top bike routes they were not listed in the leaflet.
As an example the 420 kilometer Romantic Road bike route from Wurzburg (near Frankfurt) to Fussen close to the Austrian border seemed to be missing. Really it is discussed but only as small bike trail in one of the states. The pamphlet promotes cycling by area and does not cover long distance cycling. You take to buy one of the excellent maps to take advantage of the many routes.
The concept of getting and staying on one bike trail for 400 - 500 or even more kilometers was foreign to him. There are only a very few routes of this nature in Canada or the Usa and none offered the facilities available in Europe.
I discussed he could either cycle right from Frankfurt airport or roll his cycle right onto the bike car on the train as only the ICE (Intercity expresses) don't carry bicycles in Germany. If he uses the trains on weekends the costs may be a great deal.
The pal wanted to do some camping and also stay in some Bed and breakfasts and 1 or 2 little hotels. The truth is that many of these establishments include a full buffet breakfast in the rate and have storage facilities for bicycles is truly amazing, it makes planning simple. I haven't, ever found this in North America, although some hotels do permit cycle storage when asked, they do not have bike storage rooms.
I advised him not to worry about road traffic as on the long distance bike routes, whether in the country or cities you are riding with motorists who are used to folk bicycle touring and well local bicyclists out for shopping or an entertaining ride.
But this not only is applicable to Germany as all European countries offer some kind of long distance cycle touring routes.
Whether you take your own cycle or hire you'll need a set of cycle panniers for your gear together with the cycling attire and you are all set.
So before going cycle touring in Europe clear away those North American perspectives about cycle touring and have a fabulous time!
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