On Might third, 2012 I’ll be leaving my residence and taking off on my twelfth long-distance bicycle tour. That is going to be my longest bicycle tour up to now… as I plan to be on the street for just a little over a yr and might be biking throughout greater than 15 totally different nations in each Europe and Africa. This might be my third long-distance bicycle tour in Europe and my first time ever going to Africa, so I’m tremendous excited!
The primary eight months of my bicycle tour will happen in Europe… and the final 4 to 5 months of the tour will happen in southern Africa.
Beneath you will see that an in depth breakdown of the European leg of the journey. This breakdown features a checklist of the primary cities I plan to go to and when (roughly) I plan to be in these areas. The dates and locations might change a bit as soon as I get on the street, however this provides you with a superb estimate as to the place I’m going and how much distances I might be masking on my bike.
Cycle Round Iceland
Might 3 – Might 27
I’m starting this year-long bicycle tour with a flight from the US to Iceland. As soon as in Iceland, Brandon (considered one of my roommates from College) might be becoming a member of me and collectively, we’ll spend 25 days biking roughly 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) throughout the nation and tenting nearly each single night time. This might be Brandon’s first bicycle tour ever, so I’m excited to have him together with me and to have the ability to present him how a lot enjoyable bicycle touring might be.
London, England
Might 28 – June 3
After Iceland I’ll fly into London, England. I plan to spend about 5 days within the London space earlier than biking east towards Belgium after which north towards Amsterdam. This a part of the journey ought to tack on 400 miles (650 km) or extra.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
June 9 – 14
As soon as in Amsterdam, I’ll solely have 5 quick days to see and discover the town. From Amsterdam, I’ll journey to Cologne (Koln), Germany and add one other 160 miles to my journey.
Cologne, Germany
June 16 – 25
In Cologne, I’ve plans to satisfy up with a good friend of mine named Price who lives close by. I’ll keep along with her at her home for just a little over per week. We’ll be off the bike most of this time, however hopefully I can get her to affix me on a brief bike experience within the space.
Observe The Tour de France Bicycle Race
June 30 – July 9
I’ll then observe the Tour de France for the primary eight or 9 days of the race (roughly 990 miles/1600 km). Every night time I plan to camp out alongside the race route and wait round in the course of the day for the peloton to cross. I’ve all the time loved watching the Tour de France on tv, so it needs to be a blast to truly expertise the race in particular person.
Bike Switzerland – Guided Bicycle Tour Throughout Switzerland
July 10 – July 20
I’ll then cycle my means all the way down to Geneva, Switzerland for the beginning of a cross-country bicycle tour with European tour firm, Bike Switzerland (350 miles/560 km). That is going to be my first multi-day guided bicycle tour that I’ve ever been on, so I’m actually trying ahead to it. In actual fact, in case you are focused on becoming a member of me for this leg of my journey, you possibly can! Learn all about it proper right here. The final time I checked, there have been nonetheless a couple of locations left within the tour group.
Zurich, Switzerland
July 21 – July 25
On the finish of the Bike Switzerland Problem Tour I’ll journey to a metropolis simply outdoors of Zurich and stick with some buddies. Not solely will I’ve per week to go to with outdated buddies, however I may also have per week to relaxation my physique and atone for some work.
Basel, Switzerland
July 26 – July 30
Then I’ll spend two quick days driving to Basel, Switzerland (90 miles/130km) the place I might be staying with my buddies Ben and Sabine, whom I met final yr whereas touring across the South American nation of Peru. After visiting with Ben and Sabine for the weekend, I’ll pedal again to Zurich and fly in a foreign country.
Istanbul
August 1 – 14
I’ll fly into Istanbul with my bicycle and hire an condominium within the metropolis for a pair weeks earlier than persevering with north. I spent a single day in Turkey throughout my 2009 bicycle tour and I completely liked it, so I’m trying ahead to seeing just a little bit extra of the nation.
Cycle From Istanbul, Turkey to Kiev, Ukraine To Krakow, Poland
August 15 – November 5
After leaving Istanbul, I don’t have any arduous or particular plans. As a substitute, I’m merely going to let the wind blow me the place it might. I’ll pedal north from Turkey by Bulgaria and Romania, earlier than crossing by a small part of Moldova after which biking by a significant chunk of the Ukraine. The plan, nevertheless, is to be on the border of the Ukraine and Poland someday across the first of November.
Krakow, Poland
November 6 – 13
As soon as in Krakow, I’ll hire an condominium and keep within the metropolis for about per week. Throughout this time I might be resting, exploring the town, and catching up on my laptop work, emails, and so forth.
Warsaw, Poland
November 19 – 26
After biking from Krakow to Warsaw, I’ll once more keep within the metropolis for a couple of week earlier than biking north towards Gdansk.
Gdansk, Poland
December 1 – 5
Situated on the shores of the Baltic Sea, Gdansk is considered one of Polands bigger biking cities. Since I gained’t be attending to Gdansk till early December, nevertheless, I look ahead to seeing whether or not or not there are some other cyclists out on the roads (moreover me).
Poznan, Poland
December 10 – 17
Then I’ll circle south from the Baltic and head towards the town of Poznan. The folks at Poznan, I Love You despatched me a dozen or extra e-mail messages saying that I completely should come to their metropolis, so I’m going to take the time to do precisely that!
Christmas Markets in Berlin, Germany
December 22 – January 2, 2013
Lastly, I’ll pedal my approach to Berlin, Germany, simply in time to see a few of Germany’s world-famous Christmas markets. I hope to remain in or close to the town of Berlin throughout Christmas and New Years… and as quickly as 2013 arrives I’ll soar on an airplane and journey with my bicycle to southern Africa, the place I’ll start the second main leg of this epic bicycle touring journey.
So, there you have got it! These are my normal plans for the yr! Once more, all of this could and possibly will change a bit as soon as I get on the street, however now you realize what to anticipate.
I’m tremendous enthusiastic about all the pieces that I’ve deliberate for the remainder of this yr… and I’m much more excited to be sharing my bicycle travels throughout Europe with you.
Pictures by: C. P. G. Gray, Johan J.Ingles-Le Nobel, Jo@internet, Wolfgang Staudt, Jon, Or Hiltch, Problemkind, Dennis, Philip Bitnar, Andrew Evans, Feradz, Vasenka, Teujene, Maurice, Artiom Ponkratenko, Jaroslaw Pocztarski, Olgierd Pstrykotoworca, ReneS, Okay?vanç Ni?, Rennes.i, Leszek.Leszczynski, matipl, Boudewijn Berends
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