Europe (local)

Der Süden von Frankreich ist wunderbares Fahrrad Touren Territorium. Der attraktiven Mittelmeer Küstenstrasse der Côte d'Azur entlang, die Route Napoleon in den französischen Alpen, der mächtige Canyon du Verdon oder auch die traumhafte Insel Korsika.

Eine Fahrrad Tour zu den Haupstädten von Europa: Strassburg, Luxemburg und Brüssel. Als Höhepunkte galten die Route des Cretes, eine faszinierende Hochstrasse durch das Elsass in Frankreich; die Route du Vin, die Weinstrasse mitten durch das weitläufige Weinanbaugebiet im Elsass und die vielen Burgen und Schlösser wie Haut Koenigsburg, Beaufort und Vianden in Luxemburg und schlussendlich die Bergregion Ardennen und die Nordseeküste in Belgien.

Starting in Switzerland, biking across the Alps in eastern direction through the Dolomites of Italy to Ljubljana, capital of Slovenia; cruise around Mt.Triglav National Park, and finally mastering Austria's Southern Alps on the way back to Switzerland. Strong presence of snow and as a consequence the closure of some mountain passes caused many spontaneous changes of the route.

One month on the bike for over 2000 kilometers from Switzerland to Mallorca. Alpine crossing of Switzerland, snowy winter days in the French Alps, coastal road along the Mediterranean Sea, the challenge of the Pyrenees, wild romantic Costa Brava, Gaudi dominated Barcelona and finally around the island of Mallorca.

Ein Monat auf dem Fahrrad für die über 2000 Kilometer von der Schweiz nach Mallorca. Alpen-Cross durch die Schweiz, verschneite Wintertage in den französischen Alpen, Küstenfahrt dem Mittelmeer entlang, der Lockruf der Pyrenäen, wild romantische Costa Brava, Gaudi dominiertes Barcelona und schlussendlich die Umrundung der Insel Mallorca.

Fahrrad Tour durch die Alpen der Schweiz, dem Inn Tal entlang in Österreich, Oktoberfest Pause in München, Schloss Tour in Tschechien mit der faszinierenden Hauptstadt Prag und schlussendlich über Dresden nach Berlin.

The classic 'End to End' ride in seven daily stages of over 200 km, under the rules of long distance cycling association Audax UK. Crosses many of Britain's finest landscapes including Dartmoor, the Somerset levels, Wye Valley, Lake District, Scottish Highlands and Caithness coast.

A ride mostly from Albania to Austria which included too much snow.

After graduating from grad school, I decided it was finally time to do the trip that I had been thinking about for years--crossing europe via the EuroVelo 6. This journal is a light-hearted account of my trip. I try to include as much information as possible for other cyclists wishing to do the same trip, but I also try to make it entertaining. You can be the judge of that.

A 650-mile trip connecting the westernmost with the northernmost tips of mainland Britain, following the western and northern coasts as closely as possible. All of this on a Scorpion fs recumbent tadpole trike.

With three of my children at the foot of the Bernese Alps, then Bern, Solothurn, Lucerne and again, in the Bernese Alps. 5 days of the Swiss adventure.

This time we're already in a foursome. I am with my three children. The youngest is 10 years old Agatha. We drive along the Pennine Alps. In addition to biking trails great mountain tours - Zermatt with Matterhorn and Chamonix with Mont Blanc. Travel of dreams.

European cycle route number one. I'm going with two of my children. The route I recommend to all. Goes exactly along the river and occasionally cross it by a bridge, then by ferry, which is the additional attraction.

My first bicycle trip, which my son accompanied me. Drove along the river Inn from its source, through Swiss, Austrian Tyrol to Kufstain on the border with Germany. 300 km of great cycling adventure.

Beautiful spring weather and we find time for a second mini-tour. Picking up where we left off, we cycle from Bamberg to Karlstadt along the Main River and watch it expand from the original trickle to a river of respectable size. This section of the Main will take us from beer-brewing Franconia to wine-growing Franconia.

It's that time of year again. We are itching to get on our bikes and see nature come to life after the long winter. For our little four-day tour we choose the bike path along the Main River. We have a leisurely ride on perfect bicycle paths and country roads to Bayreuth, Kulmbach and finish in Bamberg. To reach our official starting point, we take the train from Munich to Creussen and from there pedal to the source of the Roter Main.

We were sitting around our dining room table sipping a glass of wine (can't remember if it was from a box or bottle) thinking about where to take our next bike tour, when I said, ``We should try for more diversity.'' Beth immediately replied, ``You're not going to go off about our immigration policy again? I thought we were going to discuss our next tour.'' I responded, ``No, no, not that type of diversity!'' Beth replied, ``Oh, you mean terrain, like cycling along rivers, canals, rolling terrain, forests, maybe a mountain or two, that kind of diversity?'' ``No'' I said, ``I was thinking more about red grapes, white grapes and grapes with bubbles.'' The solution was to combine both: red, the canals and forests of Burgundy; white, the mountains of the Alsace; bubbly, the rolling hills of Champagne.

So sit back, open a bottle of your favorite, and we hope you enjoy our journal.

Spesso chiamata ciclabile, della ciclabile non ha nessuna caratteristica. Questo itinerario lungo il naviglio Brenta, detta Riviera, delude l'appassionato cicloturista che pensa di trovare l'interesse architettonico del paesaggio, sposato con il viaggiare lento, con la serenità dell'osservazione, con la tranquillità della propria sicurezza.

Un peccato veramente che queste caratteristiche, presenti nelle più note ciclabili europee, non siano presenti in questo luogo, vero gioiello italiano e mondiale.

A four month cycle tour by tandem, starting April 2010. The plan, if you can call it that, is to have a good time, eat lots of food and visit some eco projects along the way. We also want to cover some miles in a clean, responsible, but ultimately enjoyable, cheap and stress-free manner. What better vehicle than the bicycle could we use to achieve this?

To me, the bike is the ultimate in human transport. Someone said that human progress should have stopped after the bicycle was invented. In my opinion, it did stop. The rest has been downhill. (I know that's not true, but I thought it sounded good.)

Anyway, this is the blog of our trip. We hope you enjoy the blog and we hope we enjoy the trip. That way, we're all happy.

London to Paris. An adventure in July. Arriving in Paris in time to see the Tour de France. Read my blog of the journey.

A beautiful bike tour from Belgium to Barcelona (Spain).

Il Reno, fiume europeo per eccellenza, via d'acqua e di commercio, fonte di sostentamento e di ricchezza delle genti che da sempre si sono inseduate lungo le sue rive; oltre 1'300 chilometri molti dei quali sono diventati confini naturali degli stati che attraversa, dalla Svizzera all'Olanda passando per Francia e Germania.

Il Reno è uno dei simboli dell'Europa, le sue rive uno dei tracciati piú frequentati dai cicloviaggiatori. Questa è la prima tappa di un viaggio che intende percorrerlo tutto, dalle sue sorgenti nel cuore delle Alpi fino alla foce nel mare del nord, dai paesaggi naturali quasi incontaminati a una fra le aree industriali piú vaste del continente.

Lungo il cammino non mancherà l'occasione di visitare alcune città, alla scoperta della storia, dell'arte e della cultura d'Occidente.

La prima tappa del viaggio lungo il corso del Reno ha inizio nelle Alpi, nel cantone dei Grigioni e piú precisamente sul passo dell'Oberalp dove si trova una delle sorgenti del fiume, quella del Reno anteriore (Vorderrhein); l'altra sorgente, quella del Reno posteriore (Hinterrhein) si trova nei pressi del passo del San Bernardino.

Il fiume termina la prima parte della sua corsa nel lago di Costanza (Bodensee) a Fussach, in Germania, per poi formarsi di nuovo a Stein am Rhein (Svizzera).

La regione che si trova subito a nord delle Alpi svizzere è ricca di laghi, grandi e piccoli. Agli estremi si trovano i due bacini piú grandi, il lago Lemano a sudovest e il lago di Costanza (Bodensee) a nordest, che segnano anche i confini naturali del vasto altipiano e della stessa Confederazione, dal cantone di Ginevra a San Gallo.

Il percorso che attraversa la Svizzera centrale si snoda fra questi estremi restando ai margini del grande altopiano, e tocca buona parte dei laghi posti alle pendici della catena alpina, all'incirca fra Thun e Walenstadt, attraversando anche alcuni centri maggiori come Berna, Thun, Lucerna, Zugo, Zurigo, Rapperswil: siamo nel cuore della Svizzera, dove si trovano i cosiddetti cantoni primitivi.

Finché si resta sulle sponde dei laghi il percorso non presenta particolari difficoltà, anzi è spesso pianeggiante; d'altra parte siamo ancora in un territorio segnato dalle Alpi, quindi capita che ci si trovi a dover superare qualche dislivello o passo alpino (è il caso del Brünig fra Meiringen e Sachseln).

Ho suddiviso il tracciato in due parti: la prima da Berna a Lucerna (circa 160 chilometri da percorrere in due giorni, con sosta a Meiringen), la seconda da Lucerna a Rapperswil (100 km , percorso di una giornata). Questo è il resoconto della prima tappa.

In the summer of 2009 I cycled in the Alps again. I organized my tour around 3 milestones: I registered for participating in the 2nd hardest well known bicycle-marathon of Europe, the traditional and famous La Marmotte (174 kms + 4900m heightdiff. with the Col du Glandon, Col du Galibier and at last Alpe d’Huez.). The other event was the international BIG meeting in South Bayern (Germany) with other bicycletourers and at last a test tour along the route of the Ötztaler radmarathon (228 km + 5200 m heightdiff.). A participation on that event in the following year became one of my dreams in my life. Beside these I visited another nice and memorable climbs above 2000m, in Switzerland (Mattmarksee, Lac Moiry, Barrage Grand Dixence, Alpe Galm, Tatschalp, Oberaarsee besides snowwalls and the wonderful Männlichen, etc) and in France (Col de la Colombiere, Val Thorens, Col de l'Iseran, etc.) the country of the Tour de France.

I had successful days on the La Marmotte and the Ötztaler radmarathon testtour.

Totally I cycled 2335 kms + 47060 m heightdifference on 18-19 whole days.

For me this is the fifth year of touring and the fourth for my wife. Our site is about the cycle tours we've made through Europe. We've cycled trough nine countries so far (some several times) and hope to visit the rest in the years to come. Enjoy!

Esta ruta une las ciudades de Talavera de la Reina (Toledo) con Caceres capital. Cruza la Sierra de las Villuercas pasando por pueblos de indudable interes historico-artistico como Guadalupe, Trujillo o la propia ciudad de Caceres.

Via Verde de la Jara

Los viajes en pleno Invierno siempre son una pequeña aventura, y no fue una excepcion. Los dos primeros dias no dejo de llover ni un momento y tuvimos rachas de viento de hasta 80km/h (como no, siempre de cara ). Tambien sufrimos algun que otro contratiempo con las bicis y el equipo. Camino de Trujillo reventamos un neumatico que no pudimos reparar y no levábamos repuesto (no quedo otro remedio que terminar la etapa andando), las cadenas y piñones se nos oxidaron de tanta agua y con la sal que echan en las carreteras, las alforjas Massi se calaron completamente ... pero bueno, de todas estas desventuras hemos sacado valiosas lecciones que nos van a dar para un par de articulillos y nos obligaran a revisar otros.

Cyling Passes and Summits in the alps: Here is a cross section of (sofar) 35 passes and unnamed summits - from the famous to relatively unfamiliar (ie from Timmelsjoch to Passo Cason di Lanza) - from a day long workout to pleasant afternoon climbs (ie from crossing Vrsic Pass to a nice hill outside of Vrsno) - from road to MTB rides (like the ride to the Karwendelhaus or Tiliacher Joch). All are represented with pictures, maps, approach elevation data -also many route descriptions, ride statistics and personal opinion. Content wil grow.

I bicycled 2 weeks in Tenerife and La Palma, the steepest island of the world. Both have mild weather so they are said to be the islands of the forever spring. The clouds fly under the height of 1500m, so above it the Sun always shines and we can see the clouds lower.

In Tenerife I visited the wild Teno mountains with the beautiful Masca, later I ascended up to the 2100m Teide plateau where one can feel as in Arizona. In La Orotava I enjoyed the Loro Park animal park with orca, penguine and dolphine shows, then I cycled through laurelsilva forest next to La Esperanza.

The islands have subtropical climate and subtropical plants, besides I saw a lot of cactusses and sometimes papaya and orange trees. In La Palma I ascended the Roque de los Muchachos (2426 m) from both sides. As I looked around from the ridge of the Caldera crater I could hardly say a word: outside I saw te clouds from above to the infinity, while inside clouds in the half-rounded crater shined by evening sunlights. I had a round the tour in the island and visited volcanos and tropical forest. Wonderful islands!

D'abord ce fut une vague idée,
Partir à Véloland,
Ensuite un voyage,
Au rythme de mes errances...

Voici les photos et une vidéo de ce joli voyage.

In summer 2009 I travelled with a friend along the northern coast of Black Sea from peninsula Crimea into the mountains of Greater Caucasus. On Russian side we crossed the major mountain range close to the border of Georgia and arrived finally Elbrus, the highest mountain of Europe. Muddy tracks and steep relief marked the second part of this 1600 km bike trip.

You will find a collection of photographs (``Bilder''), the mapped route (``Karte'') and informations about the route, day-km, weather and travel costs (``Streckenprotokoll'').

The shortest way to France from Munich would be about 300 kilometers. We reached the French border after pedaling 2,300 kilometers. On a round-about route we cycled north to Berlin, west to Hamburg and Groningen in the Netherlands and south as far as Rouen in France. By then we had had enough headwinds and rain. Our Bike Fridays, folding bikes, made it possible to continue by train to southern France and finally back to Munich two months later.

Foreword :Day 8

This morning I was Lance Armstrong leading the peleton on the road through France to Rodez! No it's OK, I wasn't suffering from heat stroke. I just saw the tell tale still partly decipherable graffiti road markings that told me that my man "Lance Armstrong" & 200 other athletes had cycled this very road. I put my head down & stepped up the cadence racing to my imaginary finish line. Out of breath, but exceedingly happy & content I hoisted my arms & shouted at the top of my voice "KING OF THE WORLD" beating my chest like a gorilla. Not quite the British coolness & understatement I know, but this was my tour, I was a winner & feeling good at what I was doing!

Grab a coffee and pull up an armchair. Travel with me for the next 30 minutes through one of the most scenic Countries in the World. France!

February is always grim in England and I always dream that March will be better. The days are longer, the bulbs have come through and spring days are on their way. So we decided that March was the perfect time for the first tour of the year - in 9 days we'd cycle from Dunkerque to Germany, north through Belgium and across Holland via the polders.

This is what happened....

A Emden il mare non c'è. Sembra mare l'ampio fiume Ems. Le innumerevoli imbarcazioni in movimento e in sosta tra i canali ne fanno un porto di mare. C'è l'odore che viene da ovest con il vento. A pochi chilometri, il mare del Nord, profuma di maree basse laddove le isole Frisone contendono il territorio al mare. Un mare grigio, tipico del nord, che gli amanti degli spazi senza fine gradiscono particolarmente. Dopo aver attraversato campi, canali, fattorie, questi turisti portano, per sempre, con sè l'emozione di aver visto la fine della terra. Molte di queste emozioni sono possibili solo viaggiando in bicicletta.

Quello che leggerete sono incontri e sensazioni di viaggio.

For the tenth year in a row I am doing a medium to large cycling trip. This time I will be staying in Europe. The idea is to cycle through Germany and Austria to southern Italy and Sicily and to cycle back home over Sardinia, Corsica, France and Belgium. An overall estimate shows me that it will be around six thousand to seven thousand kilometers to fully realise the plan.

The last weekend of September and the weather forecast is good for Brighton and northern France. We really don't want the start of winter to arrive too soon, so it's off to Dieppe for a short 4 day cycle tour of the Normandy region, taking in Rouen and the coast on the way.

In august and september 2003 I cycled with three friends six weeks through the western and central part of Iceland. The most adventurously section of our route was the transit of central highlands two weeks without shops. On ``Geasavatnaleidh'' close to the northern border of glacier Vatnajökull we reached a height of 1200 m. The weather was predominantly fine: we had many clear nights with great northern lights!

The tour report is written in german, but a collection of photogaphs (``Bilder''), the mapped route (``Karte'') and informations about the route, day-km and travel costs (``Streckenprotokoll'') are self-explanatory.

Sole, splendimi fin dentro al cuore, Vento, caccia via pensieri e pene, Non v’è al mondo diletto maggiore Che andar vagando sconfinatamente.” (H. Hesse)

In Germania è pura convenzione attribuire l’inizio e la fine di una ciclabile. Esse esistono dappertutto, nascono, non muoiono, prendono nomi diversi secondo il territorio attraversato. Quando non hanno un nome segnalano una località. Ricoprono il territorio come una rete, adeguate sempre alla circolazione della bicicletta, mezzo di trasporto, preso in considerazione tanto quanto gli altri mezzi.

Da Rinteln a Nienburg 110 km.

Il piccolo centro storico della cittadina di Rintel non si dimentica. Le luci ancora alte del tardo pomeriggio accendono la Kirchplatz, la torre di St. Nikolai, le case policrome delle vie laterali, i giardini e il canale. Ma la città ha qualcosa che altre non hanno e che fa “intenerire il core”: il tramonto. Il sole estivo scende tardi e proprio in mezzo al fiume, che in questo tratto scorre da est a ovest, e raccoglie lungo la sua riva, teneri amanti, famiglie a passeggio, escursionisti attardati e cicloturisti stranieri intenti a scrivere messaggi col telefonino in quest’ora “che volge al desio”.

There was a moment when an idea popped up in my head: I should go to the North Cape. Or actually, I acquired the strong inner conviction that I had to go to the North Cape. I could hardly think of something else.

So in spring of 2009 I left my house in Holland, followed the coasts of North sea, Wadden sea and Norwegian sea until that magical northernmost point.

4625 km through amazing landscapes with extreme variation: from the flat countries where it is sometimes hard to tell where land ends and sea begins, to the fjords where granite rises vertically out of the water.