Cycling in Europe Part 1

A few cycling tour highlights 

Cycling is a great way to see a country … you can cover a lot of ground on a bicycle 🚴much faster than walking 🚶 And you see much more than from a bus. Europe Bike Tours, based in Prague, I cannot recommend highly enough.

A bit about Europe Bike Tours

Our friends had previously done the  Prague to Dresden cycling tour two years ago and highly recommended Lukas and his team at Europe Bike Tours, based in Prague. The Prague to Dresden tour is a good one to start with – easy cycling on flat paths along the River Elbe, ideal for leisure cyclists, combining city culture with riverscapes, lovely historic towns and the stunning sandstone cliffs of Saxon Switzerland.

They had such a great time we decided to join them last year on the Prague to Krakow tour and again this year in June on the Greenway tour from Prague to Vienna.  Both tours are approximately 400 kilometers long.

Here are a few highlights from our Prague to Vienna tour in June …

Starting off in Prague

Bicycle Choice

You have the option of road bikes or electric road bikes. I recommend the electric bike, especially for the hills. You can ride it with or without the electric assistance or just vary the level of assistance as required.

This Central European bike tour from Prague to Vienna winds through history, preserved Renaissance towns and countryside laden with dense forests and rolling hills. The views of the rivers and valleys and absolutely gorgeous villages along the way are stunning and relaxing as you immerse yourself in the culture, cuisine, and adventure that continues to make Bohemia a favorite destination.

 Dinner & drinks in Tabor

The Europe Bike Tour guides are delightful – I cannot speak highly enough of them. They are super experienced cyclists, who go out of their way to make your trip as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. At the end of the cycle each day that icy cold beer goes down so well – great beer and awesome company.

Guides (L-R): Vitek, Jakou and Lukas 

Tour leader, Lucas Svarovsky, formerly a high school teacher, grew up in the Czech Republic and is a fountain of knowledge when it comes to local history. His passion for cycling and his homeland is infectious.

Morning tea stop 

Along the way we had a picnic lunch with magical views of this fortress overlooking the  lake.

Day 2  In the J. Hadrec district …

Telc

Our unforgettable stay in Vranov (We loved the t shirt see above) A case of Mondayitis  … everyday …

General tips and preparation for cycling

Prior to a major cycling expedition, it’s a good idea to start training some months beforehand. Start off at a pace you are comfortable with – maybe  5- 10 kilometers a day, gradually working up to about 50 kilometers. Try to ride at least five days a week – endurance and time spent on the bike will pay off. The goal is to eventually ride several consecutive days (as you will on tour) and spend as much time as possible in the saddle. Commuting to and from work is one way to do both.

A few reminders

While Bikes, helmets, water flasks and snacks are provided on a guided tour, there is always a lot to think about when you’re getting ready for your trip. Here are a few pointers.

As the big day approaches, make sure you pack :

• Lightweight clothing
• bike pants – a couple of pairs
• light t-shirts – fluro are good for increased visibility
• good cycling/walking shoes and socks
• cycling gloves
• goggles
• Light rain jacket
• hat & sunscreen
• Take a spare pair of glasses and extra medication (if Applicable)
• Budget enough money for daily incidentals such as snacks, souvenirs and coffees
• A major credit card is a good emergency backup.

• Headphones should not be used while riding. Awareness of what’s happening around you is very important.
• Obey traffic laws and ride safely; try not to ride two or more abreast.
• A couple of smart casual changes of clothing for socialising

• You only need to pack enough clothes for one week as even if you are continuing your travels after the cycling tour (which lasts about a week) you can easily wash your clothes along the way and the beauty of the lightweight clothing is that they dry easily overnight.

The cycling team Extraordinaire

This is just a few highlights of the cycle tour so have made it Part 1. Part 2 will be the next post.  I’m sure you get the idea and can see what a great experience cycling is in Europe. If you are thinking about a cycling tour in Europe then Lucas Svarovsky at Europe Bike Tours is your man.

https://www.europe-bike-tours.eu/