Reset search
Europe by bike 2022
  • Helene Rimberg
  • Helene Rimberg

Europe by bike 2022

A 79-day adventure by Helene Read more
+3
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
Newest first
  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    Along the Med

    July 5, 2022 in France ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Hilly start as we wound our way up the coast. Each little town by the sea was accompanied by an up. Lovely views and strong wind. Great roads and paths with clear signs helped us keep on route. Building storm clouds and a bit of lightening had us moving quickly. Made it safely to quiet campsite.Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg
    1

    Goodbye to the Med

    July 8, 2022 in France ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    A few more beach towns and a last swim (it’s gotten colder for some reason) and we turn north along our 3rd EuroVelo route - Via Rhona (17). Good signs make for much easier navigation - a welcome reprieve. Brief stop to explore walled city. Winds really gusting 20+ mph in our face. Arrive in St-Gilles more pooped than we should be. Out to eat and evening exploring leads us to “house music” in the square.Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    On to Provence

    July 9, 2022 in France ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    With hot weather upon us an early start is our our best bet. Power up with coffee and pastries and we ride through the countryside following our little signs. Every type of fruit imaginable is growing alongside of us. And lots of sunflowers. Winds have settled a bit. Done see much of the Rhône today except for some crossings and when we arrive in Avignon. Seems to be a month long theater festival going on. And the are mountains looming.Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    Avignon

    July 10, 2022 in France ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Nice day spent wandering around Avignon. Our campground was just across the bridge so made for easy access. Lovely views all around especially early before lots of people showed up.

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    A tour amongst sustainable energy

    July 11, 2022 in France ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Our travels alongside the Rhône continues. In addition to the ‘regular’ fields we find ourselves amongst fields of solar panels. Next to wind turbines and nuclear plants. Day ends in lovely town of Viviers and a nice meal out and walk amongst the historical site.Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    First day of many bridges

    July 12, 2022 in France ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    A funny thing about this type of adventure is that sometimes you find yourself doing things you would rather not. In real life you would just say no. But not this trip- one sucks it up and keeps on going. This day had us crossing alot of bridges back and forth over parts of the Rhône. Including a Himalayan bridge. Everything I hate - swinging, high, grated and wind. I am not sure what I was afraid would happen but …. And yes that was a real up close view of a nuclear reactor. Besides that another lovely day of riding ending in another campground overflowing with cyclists (awaiting a few more photos from Doug’s phone)Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    Amongst the vineyards

    July 13, 2022 in France ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Though we have passed through alot of vineyards today they seemed all around us. We found ourselves with hills on both sides covered with grapes! Wind had died down and the temperature had been rising. Earlier starts help as does ending at campgrounds with a pool. Ventured out to catch a Bastille Day celebration complete with fireworks and a full moonRead more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    Tour de France

    July 15, 2022 in France ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    After a bit is sightseeing, including an ancient theater still in use - grabbed our bikes and headed up the climb that the racers would travel a few hours later. Road was already closed to cars. Found a spot amongst the crowd and awaited. First the caravan - a crazy form of advertising. Then the racers. It was a pretty narrow road and they passed by quickly and closely. Back down weaving through traffic.Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    A deviation

    July 16, 2022 in France ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Although cities have become more bike friendly, they still eat time and create stress. Opted to cut east, avoid Lyon and return to the Via Rhonda as it meanders through the mountain valleys. And we ran into one of the TDF teams. I guess they like the countryside too. A lovely day! And yes, the French countryside is covered in sunflowers. First signs for Switzerland!Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    Amongst the looming mountains

    July 17, 2022 in France ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    A somewhat chilly start to our day as we wove our way through the valley Encountered some friends on our path which also meant a lot of cattle/sheep guard crossings. Opted to do a short day with a looming mountain between us and Geneva. Nice swim in the Rhône. Opted for dinner out as it was to be our last night in France.Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    Au revoir France

    July 18, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    With what looks to be a climb straight up, power up with pastries and head out early. Turns out to be not so bad. Cruise along the plateau and unbeknownst to us, enter Switzerland while on a forest path. Navigate through the ritzy shopping district of Geneva and out along the lake. Prices are outrageous but it is beautiful.Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    And back in France

    July 19, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Seems the borders do some strange things. Find ourselves back in France as we travel along the southern side of lake Geneva Busy roads and limited signs made for stressful riding. Arrive at the end of the Via Rhona as we cross back into Switzerland. It does continue as EuroVelo 17 into Switzerland. Alps all around us.Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    Into the Swiss valleys

    July 20, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    After a rainy night with quite the lightening show, had a slow start to dry off. Beautiful path along the sooty Rhône with the wind at our back. This is what cycling is all about. Make a turn into the Valais valley and surrounded by vineyards. Building storm clouds keep us moving. End up going much farther than anticipated and manage to set up camp before the rain.Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    Bike hike?

    July 22, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    While a low mileage day, more than 3000 ft of elevation awaited us. Though we started out on the busy road, we quickly decided to venture off and stick with the cycle path although it would add more elevation and a few more miles. The sign noting an average of 19% grade almost had me taking my chances with the semis. Yet we climbed up the side of The Valley and were treated with lovely views. Again opted to stick with the cycle route though it would turn to ‘natural surfaces’. What we didn’t know was it would turn to a hiking trail through a gorge. Tough going. Made it through, continued up the valley and made it to Oberwald. Small little town. Rain, hail and lightening!Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    Rest day

    July 23, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    A soaked tent and tired bodies convinced us to wait a day before climbing the Furka pass. Wandered around avoiding a few rain drops. ‘Festival’ in town serving raclette made for a nice dinner
    ‘

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    Furka pass

    July 24, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    A chilly and bright blue morning for out climb to almost 8000 ft. Switchbacks started as soon as we left town. Tough climb but took it one switchback at a time. The Rhône glacier ended our journey to the source of the Rhône - from sea to summit! Summited amongst many cyclists and motorcyclists. Lovely lunch at the top. Terrifying descent I to Andermatt. Phew - we made it.Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    A real hike

    July 25, 2022 in Switzerland ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    As we were delayed in andermatt awaiting our train we spent the day enjoying a hike up the valley. The rain of the night before cleared and it was a brilliant blue sky day.

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg

    Straight up to cruise down the valley

    July 27, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Innsbruck is in a valley requiring one to go up to leave. And up we went. A lot! Picked up our next trail - Munchen-Venezia which was well marked. Finally summited and after lunch by a tiny lake , entered Italy and came upon a glorious 20 mile (or so) downhill. This is what it is all about. A bit more climbing and arrive at our destination only to have no space at the campground. Pulled out a credit card and stayed at a hotel. Pizza dinner.Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg
    1

    Climbing back up towards Austria

    July 28, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    After a nice breakfast climbed back out of the valley. Back to vineyards as well. Random castles and very large snail slugs keeps me amused. Path remains lovely as we head east. Skies start to get stormy and the rain catches up with us. Make it to our campground without getting too wet.Read more

  • Helene RimbergEurope by bike 2022Helene Rimberg
    2

    More down than up

    July 29, 2022 in Austria ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    For perhaps the first time we had more descending than ascending. Day one along the Drau river trail had us cruising alongside the towering Dolomites, with small towns dotting the hillsides. Many people out on this stretch of the path. Arrive in Amlach outside of Lienz with plenty of time to explore Lienz. Finally get gelato and come upon another festival. Oh-la-la ( their term not mine). Another rainy night.Read more

  • 2025© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice