HOW WE GO

In western Europe we have always gone under our own direction. There are a number of books available which have been written by cyclists. This is an excellent source of information about possible routes which can then personalized to fit one's time table and stamina. I studied German about 20 years ago and have retained enough vocabulary to rent a room and understand numbers. Many people along well established bike routes in Germany and Austria speak a bit of English. In rural France it is more important to speak a little French. It is also very helpful to understand the customs so that one doesn't appear to be the ugly American. My experience has shown me that as soon as I begin to struggle to speak French, smiles replace the frowns.

When we first started taking bikes to Europe we used Cannondale touring bikes, but since 1994 when I got my first folding bike (see Rosie oO'Friday below) which folds into the suitcase that becomes a trailer we have found plane travel to the Continent to be much easier.

Since we have begun riding recumbents, our bodies do not like to adjust to the drop bars of the upright bikes and we have switched to the folding recumbents which also go into suitcases. See the bikes page. We find it is a lot less work to use panniers than to pull the trailers. My loaded panniers came to 21 pounds in this photo which was snapped on the bank of the Danube. This weight includes a handheld computer and folding keyboard which I use to keep a travel journal. Some people prefer to use pen and paper, but I have become so attuned to a keyboard that my brain stops functioning when I slow to the pace of a pen.

 

Rosie O'Friday in Holland

This photo is from a ride where we carried our camping gear. This was in Zeeland, The Netherlands. This is the last time we attempted to camp because we no longer have the stamina to pull/carry the extra gear. We go sometimes very slowly, but we have learned how to go economically. It is possible to travel in most of Europe for much less than here in the U.S.A. because many people open their homes to travelers. If you are willing to forgo hotels and expensive restaurants it is possible to keep expenses down to $50 per day per person. In France the Chambre d'hote, Germany and Austria the Zimmer signs along a bike path usually means that bed and breakfast is available for much less than a hotel. Small towns often have 1star to 3 star hotels which are also quite economical.

Meals & Mechanics
When actually on the road, we breakfast at our Chambre d'hote and stop at noon for our main meal of the day. This gives us an opportunity to rest and we have a place for a potty stop. We usually pick up our evening meal at a deli and eat in a park or take it to our room. If we are traveling on roads such as we do when in France, we often stop at a tourism office in a small town and make arrangements for a Chambre d'hote which is on our route. If this is happens to be on a farm, there is almost always a place to eat in the yard. If we find a spot we particularly like, we may stay over for a day or two. Often there is a clothesline and our experience has shown us that the homeowners are very willing to share with us. In Obernberg, Austria the homeowner even insisted that we use her dryer. This was accomplished with my 15 worden of Deutch and her 0 words of Engish. I don't know if it is George's white beard and my wrinkes or just the kindness of people, but for the most part, we find people to be very kind and obliging.

Occasionally we find a spot we like and do day rides in the surrounding area. When possible we try to find a self catered (cooking facilities furnished) apartment. It is great fun to shop for groceries when one has a very limited vocabulary.