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Murten, Switzerland
Bicycle touring is a fantastic way to see the world. You have the opportunity to connect with the local people in a way that people using trains, motor coaches or cruise ships are not able. Your bicycle is your transportation and you are better able to visit local museums, castles, attractions, restaurants and more.
Main areas for bicycle touring include North America, Europe, New Zealand and parts of Asia. With the exception of the occasional restaurant menu I have never had a problem with local languages, signs, etc. In fact I have found people more than willing to assist a cyclist with directions. Bicycle maps for different countries are easily available from tourist offices, the internet and specialty book stores. Many countries now offer long distance bicycle tour routes which are well signed for your convenience.
With a bicycle you have the freedom to visit out of the way places and smaller towns. Another option is to rent a home or villa for a week and use it as a base to explore the surrounding region. I did this in Tuscany and took daily bicycle rides to Radda, Greve, Siena and other interesting places.
You can purchase a package from an adventure travel company which includes a guide, accommodation, bicycle rental and perhaps some meals and a sag wagon. Or you can plan your own bicycle tour which in my experience saves you about 40 to 60 percent of the cost. Either way you will have a choice of terrain and distances.
You may choose to take you own bicycle which you are familiar with or rent a bicycle in your destination. Most commercial bicycle tour companies have bicycles available included in the package or available for an additional fee.
My bicycle touring is the adventure travel at its best.
Filed under Bicycle Adventures by on Jun 30th, 2010. Comment. 
Cycle touring
This writer makes a case that cycle touring is hard work and dirty to boot. My experience is different, my planning is different.
Filed under Bicycle Adventures by on Aug 25th, 2010. Comment.
Melk, Austria
The Danube Bike Trail from Passau, Germany to Vienna is emerged as Europe’s most popular long distance bicycle route. It is a great route for beginners to bicycle touring as the 326 kilometer route is easy to complete in one week and the terrain is fairly flat.
Best of all this Austrian bike route is paved the entire distance, and is mostly on both sides of the blue Danube River. The Austrians have placed maps about every 10 km and there are frequent bicycle route signs so it is really hard to lose your way.
Take a train to Passau, Germany to start you bicycle adventure but if traveling on a Friday or Saturday reserve both train and hotel due to the large number of local cyclists also on the train. Austrian and Germany trains have storage areas for your bicycles on the train but you will need to purchase a ticket for your bike.
Due spend some time to explore Passau with its old quarter and cathedral with the largest pipe organ in the world. I recommend departing on the north short route. There are many cafes along the route for lunch stops many catering only to cyclists. Or purchase your lunch from a bakery prior to departing Passau.
At Scholgen you will need to cross to the south shore by bicycle ferry for a few Euros. I recommend taking ferry number two, just ring the bell and the operator will appear. The next town where we stayed in was Aschach, a pretty town lined with many cafes along the waterfront. On weekends the waterfront is crowded with local tourists.
Continue along the Danube stopping in Linz for lunch at the park on the north shore before continuing. We stayed in Enns which claims to be the oldest town in Austria and lies just 7 km south of the Danube bike trail.
Crossing the longest wooden bridge in Europe we continued along the south shore. Some cyclists choose to stay in picturesque Grein but we continued on and switched to the north shore at Persenburg where it seemed every guest in the Gasthof Bohm was a cyclist. Great patio to relax and enjoy a local beer.
Crossing to the south shore of the Danube we cycled to Melk, home of the famous Benedictine church. Just past Melk cross to the north shore to go through the scenic Wachau Region. This is the best section of the entire Danube and center of the Austrian wine region, very colorful, particularly Durnstein. Richard the Lion Heart was imprisoned here way back in medieval times but today it offers charming shops on narrow cobblestone streets, very rough to cycle over.
We continued to the university town to Krems to stay. The Hotel Alte Post just inside the old city walls was built in 1584 and offers great accommodation for cyclists. Continue along the Danube bicycle trail to Tulin for an overnight before finishing your journey in Vienna. Note that the bicycle trail splits just before Vienna with one route heading to the city center and the other to the West Train Station.
As I mentioned earlier the Danube Bike Trail is a great bicycle tour to introduce you to Europe and Austria. Enjoy!
Filed under Bicycle Routes by on Aug 8th, 2010. Comment.
photo credit: richardmasoner
Generally touring bicycles a have heavier frame tubing and a more relaxed geometry. Attached are rear racks so that you can carry your luggage in bags while riding and some people also use front racks. You should also consider fenders to keep the water on the road from flying up at you as you cycle. It can take a few miles (km) at the start of a trip to get used to cycling with a loaded bicycle so you may want to practice at home before you start your trip.
The beest touring bicycle is similar to a road bike, and come with a range of gears, usually 24 to 30 different gears, for riding on different types of of terrain and carrying extra luggage. Because of the heavier tubing, extra gears, and racks, touring bikes generally weight more than road bikes.
Touring bikes usually have 28 inch (700c) wheels like a road bike, but are normally fitted with fatter tires, 28 to 35 millimeter (1.1 to 1.4 inches) and sometimes stronger spokes. The increased tired width makes the bikes more suitable for rougher surfaces and for carrying heavier loads. The relaxed geometry and wider tires increase road shock absorbency and ride comfort
You may wish to rent a touring bicycle once you arrive in the destination although the quality can vary so many cyclists choose to take their own bicycle. Most people will use a touring bicycle, however some road bikes are adaptable for touring.
Your touring bicycle is your transportation so choose with care.
Filed under Bicycle Touring Equipment by on Aug 7th, 2010. Comment.
Lake Thun, Swiss Aare Route
When you think of bicycle vacations, cycling across Switzerland usually does not come to mind. Imagine however a destination with mountains, chocolate, great bike paths, historic castles and more. While there are great mountains, there are valleys paved with a system of bicycle paths.
In fact Switzerland has nine national cycling routes reaching right across the country that can be handled by the average cyclist who is bicycle touring. There are also numerous regional and local routes busy with plenty of local cyclists.
We used a combination of routes to see the country. Starting in Interlaken we cycled along the Aare National route to the capital city of Berne. The route was a combination of paved bikeways, rail trail and forest trails. As can be expected from the Swiss the great signage made it easy to follow.
After Berne we continued to the lakeside town of Biel, center of the Swiss watch making industry. It was then along a regional route to the walled town of Murten, where an Elvis festival was in progress. Day trips to Mount Vully wine region and Neuchatel is easy cycle from here.
We continued along the Mitteland national cycling route with some moderate hills to Lausanne located on Lake Geneva. Here we join the number one Swiss cycling route, the Rhone (starts in Geneva) where we headed west.
The Swiss cycling trip along the shores of Lake Geneva is scenic with vineyards, mountains and the lake providing a backdrop. We spend a few days in Montreux before continuing on the Rhone national bike route to the wine town of Sion and finally Brig.
If you do find any part of the route difficult just hop on the Swiss rail system for a lift to the next section. Perhaps joining the second most popular route along Rhine Valley Bike route which begins in Switzerland and continues through Germany to the Netherlands.
There 200 bicycle rental depots in every corner of the country which offer touring bikes with locks and rear racks. You can reserve online picking up at one location and dropping off at another with most locations are in the train stations.
Bicycle vacations in Europe should include Switzerland, one of the great destinations in the world.
Filed under Bicycle Vacations by on Aug 3rd, 2010. Comment.
Veneto, Italy with Explore
I have found some major benefits of booking a bicycle tour with a travel company including:
• Bicycle tours of the most popular cycling areas in the world
• Your guide speaks English
• Experienced guide who knows the route so you do not have to read maps and navigate in unfamiliar countries
• The guides can lead you to some undiscovered restaurant you would not have found on your own. They usually know the restaurant owners and can sometimes arrange special prices or extra’s such as a complimentary drink
• Accommodation which is prearranged and if traveling alone many companies will arrange a roommate which saves money
• Your luggage is carried from hotel to hotel so you can just focus on having a great time
• They have scouted out the route and know the best things to see along the way. For example on a tour I took we stopped at a cheese factory for a tour and then had a picnic with wine after
• Variety of trip lengths from 4 to 14 days
• Usually a variety of cycling each day to suit your ability
• Opportunity to meet some great like minded people from around the world. On a recent tour I took I met Scots, English and Canadians.
• Bicycles available so you do not have the hassle of carrying them on an airplane
• If run into problems on the trip or you have mechanical issues help is available.
Differences between tour companies are usually due to the level of accommodation, which meals are included, bicycle rental, entrance fees to attractions and whether there is a sag wagon.
There are many tour companies with English speaking tour companies from the UK (Explore, Exodus), Canada (Butterfield and Robinson, Free Wheeling Adventures) and the U.S. (Backroads) and others.
Enjoy your next bicycle touring adventure whether purchased from a tour company or planned by yourself.
Filed under Bicycle Adventures by on Jul 31st, 2010. Comment.
East Coast Greenway, Maine
There are many great USA bicycle trip destinations. These are 10 of the best you may wish to consider:
Route 1 East Coast Greenway – also known in sections as U.S. Bicycle Route 1 spans almost 3,000 miles from the Canadian border in scenic Maine to Key West, Florida and links all the major eastern seaboard cities. About one-quarter is on traffic-free bicycle paths.
Route 2 Vermont – is well known for its beautiful scenery, particularly in September and October when the leaves change color. Many trips are available from adventure tour companies usually inn to inn. There are many unsigned routes throughout the state.
Route 3 Finger Lakes, New York – a popular hilly wine region with numerous waterfalls and quiet roads. It is best to base yourself in the typical New England of Hammondsport or Watkins Glen and Ithaca work as well and do a series of day trips.
Route 4 Lancaster County, Pennsylvania – is a unique part of the United States with one of the largest Amish and Mennonite communities in the country. There is an extensive network of quiet roads for cycling.
Route 5 Kentucky – is famous for its love of horses. There are many miles of quiet roads available passing the horse farms.
Route 6 Blue Ridge Parkway – is a 469 miles scenic route in North Carolina and Virginia. Cyclists find this route popular because of lower traffic levels compared to most highways.
Route 7 Trans America Bike Route – also know as U.S. Bicycle Route 76 it is a cross country bicycle route of 4,200 miles running from Oregon to Virginia along quiet backroads. It is one of two original U.S. Bicycle routes.
Route 8 Mississippi River Trail -Bicycling Guide To The Mississippi River Trail This is a bicycle route that travels from the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Lake Itasca, Minnesota to the Mississippi Delta in Louisiana. It is a 3,000 mile route of bicycle friendly roads and multi-use pathways.
Route 9 Central California – includes the famous wine country of the Napa Valley north of San Francisco.
Route 10 San Juan Islands, Washington State – a scenic artists haven with an unhurried pace. You will want to park yourself in a delightful bed and breakfast or small inn and do some day cycles.
Whichever bicycle trip you choose in the United States have a fun time!
Filed under Bicycle Routes by on Jul 29th, 2010. Comment.
Bodensee to Konigsee Bike Route
Germany’s Bodensee to Konigsee, one of the many European bike routes.
The 410 km Bodensee to Konigsee bicycle route travels across southern Germany from Lake Constance (Bodensee) near the Austrian and Swiss border to Konigssee National Park in Berchtesgaden near Salzburg. At the start you may also connect with a long distance bicycle route around the Bodensee. At the other end you may connect with the Mozart or Taurern long distance routes. What is love about this route is the variety of terrain as you cross Bavaria with hills, flat sections and quaint villages.
I started my tour in Garmisch-Partenkirchen which is located south of Munich and surrounded by majestic mountains.. The bike trail here is a paved path separate from the road and fairly flat, but we soon go into hilly country. Approaching Benediktbeuren we heard music and as we were traveling in late September there was a beer garden in full swing right beside the monastery. Of course we stopped.
The next major town was Bad Tolz which is an interesting spa town along the Isar River. The downtown shops and restaurants are located on the side of a hill.
Next day turned out to be very rugged with numerous steep hills through a forested area. What made the going tough was that the route in this section is gravel until Tegernsee. This is a lakeside resort town with paved bicycle trails going in every direction and and wonderful lunch stop. Off again up a large large and down the other side we soon were cycling along the lakeside paved bicycle paths of the Schliersee. We arrived in the small town of Fischbachau which makes a great stop to stop for the night although there are only a few restaurants.
The next day was paved bicycle paths for the entire journey. We traveled through small villages a gaps in the mountains before reaching the resort area of Bernau on Lake Chiemsee, the largest lake in Germany. There is a bicycle path around the entire lake should you wish to spend a few days like we did. Also consider taking the ferry to the island Herrenchiemsee to see the palace built by King Ludwig II and modeled after Versailles. Another ferry ride takes you Frauenchiemsee and charming fishing village with plenty of restaurants and art galleries.
Continuing along the Bodensee Route you soon get into a hilly section near Traunstein and continue to Bad Richenhall. The Tauern bicycle route from Salzburg joins in the town center. Immediately leaving the town you start to climb a mountain as the bicycle trail meanders through the forest becoming steep at times. After a long climb its all downhill to Berchtesgaden. We stayed in nearby Schonau which is a short walk from the Konigssee.
For your next visit to Germany consider the little known Bodensee – Konigssee Radweg (Bicycle Route) for a wonderful tour of Bavaria.
Filed under Bicycle Routes by on Jul 27th, 2010. Comment.
Stra, Italy
We had decided on an Italian bicycle tour of the Veneto, the state surrounding Venice operated by Explore.
Our bicycle touring will start in the walled city of Vicenza, a located to the west of Venice. It is Saturday evening and we stroll down to the pedestrian friendly medieval center to find what seems to be the entire city just walking around chatting including children and teenage kids. It was very surreal.
Our first day of bicycle touring takes us to the walled town of Marositica, established in 1372. The town is best known for its chess game played with costumed live characters including knights in armour played out on the town square every September.
We continue our bicycle touring across the flat landscape to Bassano Del Grappa. The town is famous for the Ponte Vecchio wooden bridge with great views of the nearby mountains and strong drink known as Grappa. We had actually had trouble walking across the famous bridge because there were hordes of people lining the bridge enjoyed a drink a Grappa and chatting.
Another nearby town not to be missed is Asolo which is quaint village located at the top of a hill which is known as the “city with a hundred horizons.” What you really get is spectacular views across the countryside of some great gardens and villas.
Our bicycle touring then takes us to Venice. Of course you will want to see the major attractions including San Marco square, the Camanile Tower, Basilica di San Marco, Rialto Bridge and nearby islands such as Murano, the island of glass. What is not as well known is that by taking the regular water buses number 82 you can see the entire Grand Canal for a price far less than the famous gondola.
As far as bicycle touring continue along the Lido section of Venice (you need a ferry pass) hopping from island to island until you reach the south end of the lagoon. The next area is Stra where many grand villas are located, many of which are open to the public. Although they are called villas locally I really consider them to be palaces because of the large size.
Padua is one of the most ancient cities in the Veneto and the seat of the one of the oldest unviersities in the country and home of the famous Giotto frescoes at Cappella degli Scrovegni dating from 1303. Here you enter into a sealed room and watch a movie followed by being locked in the chapel with your guide to view the frescoes. This process is to keep the humidity low.
We continued through the wine region back to Vicenza along quiet roads and a bicycle path. This route is suitable for beginners and families and takes about one week.
Filed under Bicycle Vacations by on Jul 25th, 2010. Comment.
You may be bicycle touring on a well signed route but there are always situations where a good bike map is required. A situation I have run across a construction zone which has caused the bike route signed to be temporary moved. Another situation is a number of local bike routes met and it is not clear which route is yours
Danube Trail Maps
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and some European countries you will be able to travel on a bike trail. In most other countries in Europe and North America you need good maps. For Europe bicycle touring maps are available for every country. If not using a signed long distance bicycle route I hand out copies of each day’s itinerary to each group member along with an emergency contact location such as a tourist office in the next town should someone get lost?
In North America you usually need to use a road map along with a cycling guide as there are few good bike maps.
When cycling in the Lakes District of Austria on a route both well signed and listed on my bicycle touring map, but it suddenly ended. This is unusual in Austria. The lesson I learned is to use specific brand of bicycle touring maps that I can trust, I no longer use that particular brand.
Whatever type of map you use a scale of 1:50,000 is necessary to obtain the detail necessary for bicycle touring.
Bicycle route maps should always be listed as an essential item on your packing list.
Filed under Bicycle Routes by on Jul 24th, 2010. Comment.
Portland Lighthouse
Bike trips includes the popular coast area of Maine.
By going bicycle touring in Maine along the coast the scenery is spectacular and the people friendly. The bike culture in this area is second to none.
You can cycle the Maine East Coast Greenway from the Boston area to the Canadian border if you have the time, however a better way is to explore on several day bicycle touring trips.
The southern coast tour takes you into the resort town of Kennebunkport from where you can continue along the coast passing elegant homes including the former President George Bush summer home. Cape Porpoise is a typical coastal town with the lobster traps piled high and a fabulous chowder house with patio overlooking the ocean.
The Portland and Cape Elizabeth Lighthouse tour is about 41 miles long and takes you past four lighthouses and the old port area of Portland.
The Freeport tour starts in this shopping mecca just north of Portland and you bicycle tour over rolling terrain to historic Brunswick. The return loop brings you along the coast on a section of the Maine East Coast Greenway. This tour is a provides a great introduction to the state and the bike route was busy with cyclists.
In the north many cyclists want to cycle in the main and tourist filled Acadia National Park. A second and quieter option is the Schoodic Peninsula, also part of the park. This bicycle touring route takes you along the coast and through the picturesque fishing village of Winterhaven.
Another bicycle touring option in the same area is the Deer Isle route where basically you are cycling around this scenic island. The highlight is the working fishing village of Stonington with many galleries and cafes.
What you will find bicycle touring in Maine along the coast is delightful lighthouses, a rugged coast, picturesque fishing villages and drivers who are most patient with cyclists.
Filed under Bicycle Routes by on Jul 20th, 2010. Comment.