Europe (all)

``France is paradise for the cycletourist'' says Sheldon, who lived outside of Paris for a year (1988-89) and has plenty to tell. English/French bicycle dictionary, several tour reports, single and tandem rentals, biking in Paris, various articles.

Useful commentaries and plenty of fine photographs for their trips:

• Alps & Auvergne
• Pyrenees & Atlantic
• Provence & Jura
• Seine Valley
• Flanders
• Picardy
• Cotentin
• Normandy
, Brittany

I woke each morning, excited as a child on Christmas morning,wondering what adventures would be unwrapped for us that day. Though we were never disappointed, there were days which stood out as particularly magnificent. The journey from Cucugnan to Lagrasse, though hard, took us along beautiful gorges and woods from where we would emerge to wonder at the amazing sights of former Cathar castles high on inaccessible hill-tops. The quiet and simple attractions of the Canal du Midi led us into the bustling pink brick city of Toulouse. The craggy and rugged mountains of the Pyrenees, full of cycling legends and fantastic views, tested our stamina over several days. Perched along a mountain side, the Cirque du Litor was a fairy-tale path between two mountain tops and a place to which I would gladly return.

Dozens of reports (in German) about bicycle tours in ``Donauradweg, Neckartalradweg, Bodenseeradweg, Enztalradweg, Gotthardradweg, Rheintalweg und viele andere'', including Bretagne and Ireland.

Useful information about bicycling in general, policy, bicycle paths, safety and dangers, and links.

You will learn about what to bring, how to pack, tips on touring and using the trains. The many interesting travelogues have insights into German culture and even a little history. If you cannot find a tour that fits your needs among the ones we describe (probably because we have not written one up yet) feel free to invent your own tour and tell us about it. The information presented here on this site is accurate but, where possible, I have injected humor. Travelogues can be boring but a little humor helps improve their readability.

A large list of cycle tours, 30 at the last count. Most are in Germany, but others go all over central and northern Europe. See the overview page. English translations are available for all pages.

Contains a lot of pictures in connection with our cycling and hiking activities.

Has some beautiful photos of Icelands, great maps and descriptions of hiking trips and bicycle tours, and plenty of excellent information - a must-see if you plan to visit the country.

First the easy part: why Iceland? Because it's a country with magnificent, raw, bizarre and fascinating landscapes, unique in Europe and probably the world. A place where you can see scenery that makes you wonder what nature had in mind when it was created. But why cycling? I don't think it's the ideal way to move around in Iceland. You are less limited and vulnerable with a 4-wheel Drive. You can cover longer distances and stay drier in a bus. And you're closer to nature on foot. The first reason for me to go cycling is, that this way of transport gives a good balance between money and freedom. Renting a car costs loads of money, and you keep a distant feeling with the environment. The bus or walking limits you to the places where you can stop or go. But I have to admit, that on every cycling holiday, I also used the bus to cover long distances. And I always had some hiking days. I even did an organized one-day trip on my last vacation. You just pick the best way of transport for your goal : to see Iceland.

The weather is often mentioned as the reason not to go to Iceland. I think I've seen nearly all weathertypes there, except snow. Luckily I missed that in July1998 when it snowed in the north east. The first time I was in Iceland we had three weeks of bright sunshine. My second was pretty good, with a lot of sunshinebut also some rain. My third tour was one with a lot of dark clouds and rain. On my fourth I had a lot of mist, but it was mainly dry. And my last tour was excellent again, with only 2 days with mainly rain. My prediction for a three week holiday in the summer are

• temperatures between 5 and 15 degrees Celcius
• at least three days with bright, sparkling sunshine
• at least three days with mostly rain
• the rest of the days ever changing weather
• at least one storm
• and there will always be wind!

This site offers a wealth of information about cycling in Veneto.

BiciVeneto is a homage to my two greatest passions: bici *(bikes, short for biciclette), and the Veneto region of Italy, my adopted home. It's an apt combination, because contrary to the common perception, all of Italy is not cycling crazy, and there are, in fact, regions where you will not encounter many cyclists at all. The Veneto, on the other hand, is a land of generations-old cycling heritage and traditions, and bicycling in all forms is a way of life. If you ask the Veneti why this is so, they will answer that cycling is a tough sport which demands hard work, stubbornness, and sacrifice, qualities which are an integral part of their character. The Veneto is arguably the most ``cyclistic'' of Italy's 20 regions: There are an estimated 25,000 licensed riders, belonging to several federations (in a population of 4.4 million).

La bici è un modo per scoprire le meraviglie naturali che arricchiscono le Alpi e l' Appennino, ed è sembrato giusto presentare una finestra abbastanza ampia (in collaborazione con Apt, Pro Loco e Privati) sulle varie località trattate. La parte di utilità ciclistica raccoglie ciò che interessa ad un appassionato: recensioni sulle riviste e sui nuovi prodotti delle aziende che collaboreranno con noi, mercato dell'usato, opinioni, link per i siti delle gare ed altro ancora [...].

[P]roponiamo itinerari per conoscere e visitare i colli ed i monti del Nord Italia. La descrizione degli itinerari trascende le tecnicità dei cicloamatori professionali proprio perché vuole rivolgersi a tutti, come una guida turistica. Ma ovviamente con le note della descrizione e con l'ausilio delle mappe, disponibili ormai per metà degli itinerari proposti, anche i più ``preparati'' possono affrontare l'itinerario con tutte le notizie necessarie.

Questo sito si rivolge a chi ama organizzare i suoi viaggi per conto proprio, fuori dalle rotte del turismo di massa, senza acquistare ``pacchetti preconfezionati'' da tour operator od agenzie di viaggio.

This site is for those persons who like to plan their travels by themselves, out of the road of mass tourism, not inclined to buy something ready made from big tour operators.

Trail descriptions, maps and very tempting pictures (see at right) among others.

A quarterly magazine aimed squarely at trail riders in the best traditions of the magazines that have been and gone. We make no apologies for taking inspiration from MTB World and Max MTB. They were great mags, full of the sort of riding that the majority of mountain bikers have adopted as their lifestyle. In fact the buzzwords 'Inspiration' and 'lifestyle' are key to the philosophy behind the magazine.

This site is intended to offer ideas for cycle trips in and around SE Scotland and NE England. The routes are not graded in any way but comments should give some idea of their nature. They are not meant to be prescriptive but are just suggestions - obviously you can adapt them to suit your own needs.

A collection of some 84 (as of October 2005) routes in the triangle Edinburgh-Carlisle-Newcastle. Click the number on the map to access the page for the relevant tour - you will get a detailed description and a map of the tour. A very fine job, John!

An UK bicycling magazine. Articles, forum, tests, workshop, routes, race calendar, race results, ads. The routes are especially interesting and include East Anglia, Northumberland, New Forest, Hampshire, Kent, Peak District, Hebridean Islands, West Cork in the Republic of Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, and others.

An UK bicycling magazine. Forum, bike tests, kit tests, ``grime time'' (articles about preparing for races, pedal repair, suspensions, etc.), sport, videos, ads, events.

Journey planner, timetables, today's rail travel information, train operating companies, travel bureau links.

Bike shops in Bath, links, magazines.

South Downs (North of Brighton);
Buckinghamshire/Chilterns;
Autumn in the Chilterns;
Isle of Wight;
Dorset;
Oxfordshire;
Weald (Kent);
North Downs (Kent);
Peak District (Southwest): May 2, 1999;
Peak District (North): May 3, 1999
And many more.

Tour dei castelli della Loira in bici, percorso abbreviato adatto alle famiglie.
Durata: 7 giorni.
Tappe: Tours, Villandry, Chenonceaux, Amboise, Blois, Cheverny, St.Dye, Chambord.
Suggerimenti anche per altri tour: tour dei Castelli Romani, dei castelli medievali del Casentino, dei castelli del Trentino, dei castelli della Scozia.

Grazie anche a girolibero.it per i consigli.

A website dedicated to providing in-depth information about cycle touring in Spain. Great ideas for tours, weekends away and places to go; useful links to get you there and get you around, as well as a travelogue and picture gallery to tempt you to get on your bike and go!

Have a look at this fantastic site and plan your first really exciting cycling holiday in amazing and surprising Poland. Here you will find practical information about roads, health and safety, money, threats and much more.

[The author travels around the world and reviews hostels, and has built up a large hostel directory.]

What are hostels?

The quickest answer I can give to you is that hostels are budget accommodations where you share a room with other travelers. To be more specific though and to give you a better idea of what to expect I will say that a hostel room is like a hotel room but instead of being just one bed there are a couple (or a few) bunk beds. There are also (gasp!) other people. People you do not know! These other people are travelers who are most likely very much like you in the sense that they are exploring and traveling and doing it as absolutely cheaply as possible. Hostels have been around a long long time. There are over 20,000 of them around the world. Hostels are very much a part of the culture of Europe, and are starting to be known in the USA as well. Hostels are a cheaper way of staying in a city where you do not live.

This search engine helps to find information provided directly from about 490 bike manufacturers.

Since 2003 in the second half of June a race is beeing organized by the Senj Mountain Bike Club which starts from the village Sv. Juraj near Senj at the sea level and ends at the mountain hut Zavizan 1568 m above. Trek is 33 km long and is graphically represented on the web page. About half of it goes on a paved road and another half on unpaved road through the forest which belongs to the North Velebit National Park. Participation for less trained cyclists is facilitated by the second start at 1000 m from the village Oltari. Traditional evening reunion of participants takes place in Sv. Juraj harbour restaurant after the race. The event is a good introduction to the beauties of cycling in mount Velebit forests. Accomodation for foreign visitors is provided through http://www.tz-senj.hr.

This website gives information for on and off road cycling in the Alpes Maritimes inland from the busy roads of the Cote D'Azur.
Detailed descriptions of on and off road cycles, including height graphs and distances.
Photo gallery.
General information about the area - market days, restaurant phone numbers etc.
Information about cycle friendly accommodation with a shopping service to save cyclists carrying heavy shopping on bicycles when coming to an area devoid of shops. There are cycle tools, a lockable garage, all maps are provided, washing machine available.

A photo collection of many great images with the subject being a loaded touring bicycle. It's fairly tough to get a bike into this gallery but that's the way viewers want it. Aside from the photo page there's a page full of submission requirements and cycling related links belonging to those with images in the collection. Read the submission requirements, study the gallery and bring a winning shot home from your next tour! Tailwinds!!

The World's most beautiful cycling tour. July 23rd - 28th 2006. Geiranger, Trollstigen, Sognefjord, Jotunheimen, Nærøyfjord...

The Viking Tour takes you everywhere! Six days, eight fjords and nine mountain passes shared with 230 cyclo-tourists and former Tour de France competitors. Great international atmosphere and informal Fjordland hospitality dearly welcome all cyclists whatever goal they have for the tour. Competition classes are only timed for parts of each stage, giving everyone a much appreciated chance to ride with people normally at the other end of the ``peloton.'' No time limits. Our welcoming you at the stage finish only gets warmer the later you arrive. You can choose to stay in the Valhall Camps which include simple breakfasts, showers and some places pools & sauna. Or you can rent your own room, share a cabin with friends, bring a camper-van or...

The organizer Re Cyling Club provides luggage transport, feeding stations, bicyle repair service, first aid and everything needed for you to focus enjoy the experience. The cycling- and social thrills are unlimited. Available starting places are not...

David has written a book on bicycle touring in Tuscany. The site offers many useful links for Italy in general, Tuscany, Umbria, Marches, and Lazio, and miscellaneous travel sites; as well as a picture gallery.

A Web site devoted to the challenges of getting you and your bicycle on a train and to your destination in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic. Specific ``how-tos,'' detailed photos, hints and tips, useful links, etc.

's Werelds mooiste fietstocht

Zesdaagse cyclosportieve en recreatieve tocht toegankelijk voor wielertoeristen en zij die willen wedijveren met ex-profs. Ontdek Geiranger, Trollstigen, Jotunheimen, Peak Road, Sognefjorden, Vikafjell, Eagles Road, Dalsnibba... 600 km en 11000 m hoogteverschil vanuit Aurland tot Ã…ndalsnes. Een unieke kans om kennis te maken met een exclusieve meerdaagse tocht waarbij de wegen verrijzen uit de Atlantische Oceaan en klimmen tot de pieken in de wolken van West-Noorwegen. De etappes zijn voorzien van gechronometreerde zones, waarvan een klassement word opgemaakt, maar u kan ook gewoon recreatief deelnemen zonder tijdsopname. U fiets 'Touring Class' of voor de dames 'Ladies Class' naast de 'Competition Class' netjes in vijf leeftijdscategorien bij de mannen en de vrouwen onderverdeeld. De organisatie ``Re sykkelklubb & DBS Viking Tour'' zorgt voor transporten van bagage en bevoorrading zones zodat u zich kan focussen op de bergpassen, de fjorden, de watervallen, de gletsersn en de meren.

All about cycling in Ukraine. Routes and detailed info for Kiev, Carpathians, and Crimea. Trip reports and pictures of trips. General info on Ukraine, transportation, weather, getting your bike on the train, etc.

What you need to know about renting bikes in Paris; bicycling in Paris; subways, trains, and the RER; and cycling out of Paris. French pronunciation; French bicycle types and repair vocabulary; Road signs and their observance; helmets. How to get regional maps, lodging, and tourist sight information. Six bicycle routes and tours out of central Paris, avoiding almost all traffic: Detailed Directions and Photos. On the same site: Seventeen Best Bike Tours in France, Holland, Italy, Germany and Austria.

Eurostar, Paris Metro, TGV, local trains.

Read also the minutes of the Spanish Senate session in which the law was discussed (in Spanish).