Pat's Cycle Tour - 2017
8. heinäkuuta 2017, Alankomaat ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
The time has arrived. Cycle tour 2017. Central Europe from North to South
Amsterdam (NL)
9. heinäkuuta 2017, Alankomaat ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C
Arrived at Schipol airport, unboxed my bike, loaded my gear and pedaled the 15 km into the city. Very fortunate to be hosted by friends from South Africa in an apartment close to the cityLue lisää
Zaanse Sanchs (NL)
10. heinäkuuta 2017, Alankomaat ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
The Zaanse Schans is a residential area in which the 18th and 19th centuries are brought to life. It is a little hamlet, really just for tourists. My timing was perfect, as I was leaving all the tourLue lisää
Hoek van Holland (NL)
10. heinäkuuta 2017, Alankomaat ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
The next stop after Zaanse Sachs was Zandvoort. First glimpse of the North Sea. The coastal section was quite pleasant until the wind picked up later in the afternoon, direct headwind but fortunatelyLue lisää
Gorinchem (NL)
11. heinäkuuta 2017, Alankomaat ⋅ 🌧 19 °C
Left Hoek van Holland with a glorious tailwind. Happiness !! At some stage during a serious downpour, I think I passed through Rotterdam (world's third biggest sea port).
The route took me throughLue lisää
Rhenen (NL)
12. heinäkuuta 2017, Alankomaat ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
Woke up to rain. Checked the weather App and 99% chance of rain most of the day. Decision time. Bunker down all day and do nothing, or bite the bullet and get on with it.
Back on the bike. StoppingLue lisää
Wesel (DE)
13. heinäkuuta 2017, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C
Along the cycle paths they have what look like windsocks, only larger and made of netting. As you cycle along you lob your trash into the net !
Rode over a hill today, must be out of the NetherlandsLue lisää
Cologne (DE)
14. heinäkuuta 2017, Saksa ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Not all green pastures, and tranquil meadows. This northern section of the Rhine is also known as the Industrial Ruins. Slow going and without a GPS it would be even worse.
Rode through DuisburgLue lisää
Koblenz (DE)
15. heinäkuuta 2017, Saksa ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Approaching now the more scenic part of the Rhine.
When its a long day, to pass the time it's fun to chase the eBikes till their batteries go flat, then pass them. Once done with the eBikes, thenLue lisää
Mainz (DE)
16. heinäkuuta 2017, Saksa ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
Today was the start of the Middle Rhine, the picturesque section with medieval castles. This section has no fewer than 50 castles, and is also know as the Romantic Rhine. All the castles andLue lisää
Speyer (DE)
17. heinäkuuta 2017, Saksa ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Not much happening on the route toady. Still a few barges carrying cargo but not nearly as many on the lower section of the Rhine. You can see now why the Rhine is considered Germany's economicLue lisää
Strasbourg (FR)
18. heinäkuuta 2017, Ranska ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Big day today with 140 km. So far nine days on the bike and 1,088 km clocked.
The past two days have been sweltering with today reaching 36 °C. Doesn't help much starting early as you still on theLue lisää
Basel (CH)
20. heinäkuuta 2017, Sveitsi ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
The start of today's route followed a wooded canal cycle path almost dead straight for 50 km (144 km in total today). Somewhere on route I crossed another border, now in Switzerland.
Basel - a dropLue lisää
Flaach (CH)
21. heinäkuuta 2017, Sveitsi ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Some big mountains beginning to loom now on the horizon. Scary stuff ! Today was the first day with a few small climbs. Gravity sure slows you down when the combined weight of bike plus kit is 40Lue lisää
Lake Constance (CH)
22. heinäkuuta 2017, Sveitsi ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Today's route followed mostly the shores of Lake Constance (Konstanz) which borders Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Lake Constance, known as “the heart and soul of Europe". At some stage today ILue lisää
Hochst (AT)
23. heinäkuuta 2017, Itävalta ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Stopped for a coffee and tried to pay with my Swiss Francs, only to find that I had crossed another border, this time into Austria.
A very brief excursion into Austria, and then back again intoLue lisää
Vaduz (LI)
23. heinäkuuta 2017, Liechtenstein ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C
Crossed a border yet again, this time into the small country of Liechtenstein. It has an area of just over 160 square kilometers, and an estimated population of 37,000.
Very quite being a Sunday andLue lisää
Chur (CH)
23. heinäkuuta 2017, Sveitsi ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
The majestic Alps beckon !!
From Liechtenstein the gradient starts to go up as you head towards the source of the Rhine. Heading towards Chur the river passes through breathtaking ravines.
Today isLue lisää
Splugen (CH)
25. heinäkuuta 2017, Sveitsi ⋅ 🌧 9 °C
Time to now cross the Alps.
Yesterday I was caught in two storms before 10am and only made it halfway of my planned route. Called it a day and decided to find some place dry.
Second attempt todayLue lisää
Splugenpass (Alps)
26. heinäkuuta 2017, Italia ⋅ 🌧 7 °C
The lower section of the pass leaving the town of Splugen had five switchbacks. The upper section had sixteen switchbacks !
At the summit of the pass was again another border, this time crossing intoLue lisää
Lake Como (IT)
26. heinäkuuta 2017, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Once down the pass it was time to head towards Lake Como. My route followed the eastern shoreline.
This area really is picturesque. Towering mountains on the one side, and stunning villages huggingLue lisää
Milan (IT)
27. heinäkuuta 2017, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
Leaving Lake Como and Lecco, I eventually found a path (away from the traffic) alongside the river leading away from the lake. Along the river were a number of small hydro electric plants and locks toLue lisää
Milan (IT)
28. heinäkuuta 2017, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
The city has long been named Fashion Capital of the World. Today was a day for exploring, on foot, and a bit of Metro.
The Milan cathedral is the 3rd largest in the world, and took nearly 600 yearsLue lisää
Fidenza (IT)
29. heinäkuuta 2017, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Left Milan fairly early to miss the traffic. Good to be back on the bike again. A solid 150 km today. Again another 36 °C day at least the route was very flat.
Cycle touring tip: Most towns areLue lisää
Filattiera (IT)
30. heinäkuuta 2017, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
Big change today, from the flat farmlands of yesterday, where the only action seemed to be the farmers working their lands. Heading back towards the coast now.
Today was another mountain pass, theLue lisää



















































































































































































































Enjoy go carefully hope weather good
MatkaajaHave a safe trip Patrick, looks amazing so far👍🏻👍🏻
Enjoy and be safe