IslandGrim
New Member
This will be my first ever trip. In europe, on a bike, solo. Any tips or advice for this particular route? (Eurovelo 15)
Eurovelo 15 trip
- Thread starter IslandGrim
- Start date
Page may contain affiliate links. Please see terms for details.
mjr
Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
- Location
- mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
EV15 The Rhine Cycle Route
http://www.rhinecycleroute.eu
I've ridden parts of it over the years but much of it is still to ride. In places, you can choose which side of the river to ride. Pick the leeward if it's a cross-head wind.
I suggest taking a look at some of the towns you pass, if you have time. The Erasmus bridge and market hall in Rotterdam are worth a look, as is the market square in Dordrecht if something's on, but neither is directly on EV15.
I'd use the French side south of Strasbourg. It seemed a nice canalside ride to me. Maybe check which side of France and Germany has shops open, though.
http://www.rhinecycleroute.eu
I've ridden parts of it over the years but much of it is still to ride. In places, you can choose which side of the river to ride. Pick the leeward if it's a cross-head wind.
I suggest taking a look at some of the towns you pass, if you have time. The Erasmus bridge and market hall in Rotterdam are worth a look, as is the market square in Dordrecht if something's on, but neither is directly on EV15.
I'd use the French side south of Strasbourg. It seemed a nice canalside ride to me. Maybe check which side of France and Germany has shops open, though.
We did this homewards several years ago, from the Bodensee to Hook of Holland ferry. It's an easy to follow, generally well signposted route, most of the time plenty enough campsites and shops, surroundings vary from lovely though to mainly OK, with just a few small grotty bits - mostly enjoyable. A few places we used canoe or boating clubs for overnight camping stops in Germany. The Netherlands section is a bit wandering and devious, no idea why as good cyclepaths following a more logical line are easily found. In the Members Travelogue section my report "European Tour 2017" has this route as the second half.
dimrub
Über Member
You did not specify the direction of your travel, but I'll assume that you're doing the logical thing and riding downstream with the river. If that is the case, do note that your very first 30 km will involve climbing over 500m. That's a bit of a jumping in at the deep end, if there ever was one for cycle touring. I mean, there are people here who tackle 2k of elevation gain in a day without batting an eyelid, but most likely not on their first day touring - ever.
I suggest you strategize a bit about how you plan to tackle that. Soldier through and hope for the best? Make it a short day (shorter even than usual, given that it is advisable to make a first day of a tour short)? Skip the climb? Spend the remaining days before the trip in the gym growing huge calves and quads? Do a couple of prep trips, to familiarize yourself with a concept of climbing on a loaded bike? Everything goes, except just arriving there and finding out you're not ready for the beast.
Also, if you want additional advice, perhaps expand a bit on your tour. Daily distances? Kind of bike? Accommodations (hotels/warm showers/camping)? Season when you plan to embark?
I suggest you strategize a bit about how you plan to tackle that. Soldier through and hope for the best? Make it a short day (shorter even than usual, given that it is advisable to make a first day of a tour short)? Skip the climb? Spend the remaining days before the trip in the gym growing huge calves and quads? Do a couple of prep trips, to familiarize yourself with a concept of climbing on a loaded bike? Everything goes, except just arriving there and finding out you're not ready for the beast.
Also, if you want additional advice, perhaps expand a bit on your tour. Daily distances? Kind of bike? Accommodations (hotels/warm showers/camping)? Season when you plan to embark?
