European Cycle Trip

As some of you know, I'm heading off to Paris this week then cycling east through the summer holidays.

I shall post updates on here as and when I come across a wifi spot / internet cafe!

Fingers crossed I shall be back in time for the Wales weekend.

all packed and ready to go...
Claire

Excellent, enjoy! Hoping to do a bit of euro touring next spring myself.

So far, France thinks it's England-baking hot then raining buckets then really windy. Have alredy had to fix another bikers gears as he had bent his front derailleur.

So far I have done Bedford-Paris-St Dizier by train
by bike St Dizier-Eclaron (10.9 miles)
Eclaron-Soulaine Dhuys (17.3 miles)
Soulaine Dhuys-Bar sur Aube (13.0 miles)
now catching a train to Altkirch and then in into Germany

Made it to Germany!

Altkirch - Neuenberg = 33.5 miles
Neuenberg - Schonau = 26.7 miles (very hilly - took over an hour to reach top of the climb...Needless to say it did not take that long to get down the other side! 40+ mph with panniers is a bit twitchy!)
Schonau - Titisee = 20 miles - 10% climb for 8km - but what goes up must come down :-)

What have I found out so far:
1. Eurostar confiscate gas canisters and you cannot buy the type I need in France = several days of cold, uncooked pizzas.
2. In Germany you can buy the right type of canister - hot food tonight!
3. Germans have the best word for bike (Rad).
4. Hills cannot go on forever though they might seem like they do - it IS humanly possible to cycle uphill for over an hour!
5. Cateye cycle computers dont like the rain.
6. My little tent can survive a thunderstorm directly overhead (twice).

Plan now is to get the train to Engen and then cycle to lake Constance / Konstanz.

Thanks for the updates Claire.

Travelled about solo through Central Americas when I was young(er), met some challenges but loved it.
Just know you are having fun. Making me feel like packing a bag and disappearing for a few weeks.

Your perspiration is inspiration.

Rob.

Now in Uberlingen on the edge of Lake Constance / Bodensee and it is actually sunny!)

Off to the other end of the lake tomorrow to go up in the cable car. Next stop Munich then the Alps...

More things I have found out:
7. Interest in my tent in inversely proportional to its size.
8. The gas canister that you cant buy in France is made in France...
9. The 10% climb was actually the tallest mountain in the Black Forest :-)

You didn't hide the gas canisters well enough


Up in the cable car is the way todo it, its only right to make use off all the facilities

Sounds like your enjoying yourself claire... glad your having a good time.

Hope your taking plenty of pics

Missed the cable car as I took a ferry across Lake Constance instead!
Now in Munich - going to Dachau concentration camp tomorrow...

Neuenberg - Schonau = 26.7 miles
Schonau - Titisee = 20 miles
Titisee - Engen (train) but 4 miles to get to / from station
Engen - Uberlingen = 20 miles
Uberlingen - Konstanz = 5 miles and 2 ferries
Konstanz - Lindau = 55 miles!
Lindau - Munich = 5 miles and 2 trains

After Munich, across the Austrian Alps and into Slovenia
Will I make it back for the bank holiday trip to Wales...?

Now in Austria. It's really sunny and roads really food for riding on (and fairly flat as they follow rivers /railways).
Had a go on a bobsleigh run today (if you have seen Cool Runnings, think of the push cart derby but on a proper metal run)! Can give MTB a run for it's money in the fun factor of getting down a hill fast!

Distances update:
Munich -Dachau-Munich = 22 miles ( and getting lost/distracted by the Olympic stadium)
Munich-Großseeham = 28miles
Großseeham - Flintsbach (via Oberaudorf) = 30 miles
Flintsbach - Lindau (a different one)! = ~35 miles

Claire, sounds like you're having fun. I'm very jealous.

I was thinking of doing some touring myself at some point so I have a hundred and one questions for you when you get back!

B.

Happy to help Brian!

Now sitting in a posh hotel to use their Internet while I'm waiting for the train to Slovenia!
Still very hot and sunny. Yesterday meals consisted of 800g watermelon, remains of nacho flavour doritos and a whole packet of Jaffa cakes!

Distances:Lindau-St Johann I.P = 50 miles (via Leogang)
St Johann-Obervellach = 26.6 miles and 3trains
Obervellach-Villach=46.3 miles

Would be good to see your route plotted on a map

I was going to plot the route anyway. Will print a copy / link to it on here somehow

sounds awesome

40 with panniers

get more food in ya Claire

I think the sugar in the 3 to 4 litres of OJ that I have been drinking each day is compensating for food. However the airport does have really nice (large) choc muffins. Breakfast is sorted then a day of enforced plane spotting before flight home!

Back now after tent got nicked!

See you all in Wales :-)