Cycling in Europe. River that flows near Salzburg, motorcycles, Bruges, and along the Rhine, to let the memory of the first plan. Some people travel almost exclusively by bicycle, and will not be otherwise. Rica Sorensen and Edwin McCain, who for years has been traveling through Europe on his way to the pleasure of cycling, which will help you install the following tips for biking to visit in Europe.
Cycling cheap and satisfying. Europe For $ 30 a day, you do not have a time machine. All you need is a bike, a farmers market, and campsites or hostels. Road Trip, which can not only save money and stay in shape, but will have the peace of his rare European tourists.
Despite the bicycle to visit one of the cheapest ways to see Europe, choose the most pedals for riders of simple joy. Imagine a low pass, gives a picturesque mountain bike (the smell of freshly cut grass) and then take pictures of Mercedes with the windows closed and the stereo (the smell of furniture). The driver might think, “masochistic nut !”… notice a smile on motorists as well – the human face of the tourists can see clearly from the mountain village and heard the birds singing, and anticipate a long and glorious hill long.
Determine whether the transport of the best bike for the trip. Determine how much you want to visit Europe and perform some basic questions to see if the bike is key to their freedom or albatross around the neck. Remember that it took all day to travel the same distance on a bike, you can cover in one hour by train or car. Sixty miles per day on average higher. To stop halfway through, rich in 40 years. For example, if you have a free all summer, you and your bike to cover more ground in, say, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Italy. But if you have a month or less, you are content to focus on one country or region? Because what you want your time, slow the bike in the balance for the benefit worth it? And finally, you want to spend more time in Europe and in small rural villages than in cities?
Take riding practices. Make sure you really like to always travel with bags loaded weight. Try a few of 60 miles per day (5:00 to 12 mph) in the city. If possible, take a camping trip this weekend with everything that goes to Europe. Find the tools to learn basic repairs (such as repairing a flat tire, replace the damaged beam, and adjusting brakes and derailleurs). Ask your local bike shop class.
When based on where you go. The temperature of the perfect bike between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, while May is a good time for cycling in Mediterranean countries. Edwin began the journey of five weeks in Australia in May, before it was too hot, then cycle through the Balkans to Britain. It is a good temperature all the way, but the winds (prevailing westerly winds). Rich and his wife, Risa, Barcelona in the spring more relaxed in the fall was in France, England, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and Greece, not only temperature but also less suitable winds.
Bring your bicycle home. Although you can buy a bicycle tour in Europe, there are cheaper here, and you better be sure that the bike must be suitable for you, racks and bags for you. The debate about cyclists in the bike tour bicycle trip heavy or tired with thinner tires. ATV tires are more tolerant on the cobbled streets from time to time, but are more durable than those necessary for the path of most of Europe, and the thick flower design will make you lose time. Furthermore, the handlebars of mountain biking is limited to labor, increased fatigue of a long day of driving. If you already have a mountain bike, go ahead and take, but some extensions handlebars ..
A range of policies to check the different airlines. Call your airline directly. Airlines charge more for the bikes and “bike box” is. Some airlines flying to Europe for free, thinking it was one of the two pieces of checked baggage. The Most airlines require to participate in cycling and the open box. Get a bike box at local stores, airlines or Amtrak (case of the cave of the sales cycle). Strengthening the extra cardboard box and make sure to put a plastic spacer between the initial arrest (any bike shop will give you one). Airlines need to pedal a bike, do not let loose in the box. Whether you attach to shelves or return to one of their bags. You can jump in their bags, tents, etc. for the extra padding, provided they are under the weight limit of the airline. Give the tools you need to get your bike in the back so you can move out of European airports.
A condition. Hoping to rain and rain are runners-up. Two Gore-Tex waterproof windbreaker and cold weather. You may also be exposed to the sun, so you will use plenty of sun. The hours are generally required by law in Europe, so you should have one on his bike – “Hello” to manage the communication with other riders and “Look, here I come” Even if you never drive at night, at least should return the strobe lights for tunnels of a long and inevitable valve. Pay is the lack of basic standards in most of Europe, so if your bike Shraeder auto valve type, the adapter. Road Rash To protect ugly (and bad), always wear a helmet and motorcycle gloves.
Respect the rules of traffic in Europe. Cyclists follow the same rules that drivers in general. Some countries like the Netherlands, regulations and signs for cyclists: bike shows a bicycle blue circle shows the red bike bicycle cycle are not allowed. Warning signs show a blue bike lane needed to overcome even some of the exit of the most complex. Watch out for cyclists of calm may be right behind you, and use hand signals before stopping or turning. Stay away from the road. How little better on the bike, anyway.
Use a good map. Michelin map of Europe and individual planning well. In Europe, the use of the cards to the navigation of each day. Michelin introduced the Touring Club Italiano and 1:200,000 map all the way home in a quiet and even the slope of the hill. Not obsessed with following the planned route. A small detour and exciting spirit and excitement of spontaneous cycling
Take your bike on the train, which greatly expand the scope of his journey. Save an hour by train each day will be devoted to the saddle (and there is nothing so sweet to build a railroad from the rain and a sunny spot). To ensure that you and your bike trips in the same car, the train schedule to find bikes are marked with small symbols, or request information about the window of the station. In some countries need a car to bicycle to enable reservations in advance.
Bicycle thieves abound in Europe. The increased use of green kryptonite bike style for your bike to something solid. Do not let the pump, handlebar bags, panniers, water bottle, or a laptop on your bike when you can not see it. Make sure your bike possible. The pressure, ask if the bike locked room, and if not, order or request a place to put the bikes in the blink of an eye. Remember that many hotels and guest houses in good condition is to bring the bike in your room. Just be discreet. You can also wheeled into the elevator. Risa rich and camps to be sure, but still locked bikes together.
Travel light … or camp. If you want to travel light, stay in hostels or hotels, camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, cooking utensils), which is heavy and large. However, if you want to go camping and want to go to Europe, making fun of camping and hang out aspects of your trip. A bottle of wine to share with your neighbors (which can be anywhere in Europe) popular entertainment.
Motorcycles make you more accessible. The interesting aspect of the meeting of European cycling. Europeans, such as bicycles, and often take when they dare to come to America to reject the opinion of the bus window for breathing through his country on two wheels. Your bike provides instant conversation piece, the perfect bridge to the maze of cultural and linguistic barriers.
Think short term rent a bicycle-friendly city and the region. Most things here for a long distance bike trip, but can also alter the rate of cycling pleasure if you travel by car or train. You can take the train from Paris to Amsterdam, then rent a bike for a few days to get around the city … and off the field of tulips and windmills. In many countries (including France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands), bike hire and train station is sometimes easy to “pick up and here is the” plan.