Let’s go cycling

  • Albania and out

    15th OctoberA big and beautiful descent to the Albanian border. Huge queues of cars, and dozens of pedestrians waiting to get through- we figured out they are all Albanians, assumedly returning from their day’s work in Montenegro, where the pay might be a tiny bit better we think. Some kind soul pointed us through the…

  • Montenegro

    Well…some slow down and beach time was due… so we’ve had a few days of small distances and fabulous beaches.Montenegro has been something else! Spectacular scenery both inland and coastal.  It’s gotta be up there amongst my favourites 🙂. And it seemed to be always sunny!Nice quiet roads, just as long as you keep away…

  • The Ciro Trail…to the Adriatic Sea

    The Ciro Trail follows a discontinued railway line to Dubrovnik, and proved to be a most enjoyable and scenic ride! 3rd October. 85km, the first section of the Ciro Trail, cloudy, windy and cold 9 degrees, brrrr. We set off from Mostar with a little trepidation after the previous few experiences on Bosnian Roads. Once…

  • Croatia to Bosnia

    26th September, 85km, Bataszek to Bilje, a  couple of hills and a thousand trucksThe cycle trail became less and less evident as we approached the Hungary/Croatia border. Almost as though they just didn’t care anymore…And combined with the lack of cycle infrastructure, the trucks became quite a bit more noticeable. Over the border into Croatia…

  • Hungary…The Sultans Trail

    18th Sept, Vienna to Bratislava, 74km Goodbye Austria, hello Slovakia! A change of scenery, and architecture, as we crossed into Slovakia, albeit briefly.  The city of Bratislava was a charming place to stop enroute.  A cheap but airy and spacious room in a hostel, bright sunshine and plenty to explore in the old city.  Plus…

  • Following the Inn

    September 7, into Austria! Scuol to Imst, 86km and 640m elevation even though its mostly downhill… The last km of Switzerland were a delight- gorgeous views and a fairly traffic free cycle route to the Austrian border.. Over the border it was a busy but wide shouldered road for a bit, and then the Austrian…

  • Country swapping

    31st August, Domodossa, Italy!Our intro to Italia was, well, loud! It’s certainly an “in your face” country. Drivers are just that little bit too close to the bikes, and always seem to be in a hurry. We booked a hotel in Domodossia, thought we’d need it after crossing the Simplon Pass, and it was more…

  • Switzerland!

    28th August, 44km, 870m elevation. A very rainy start to the day so we hung around at the campsite for a bit…lots of great chats with similarly weather-averse campers, from all across the globe.  Most were multi day hikers, we didn’t meet any other cycle tourers in Chamonix. Then off we set for a shortish…

  • To the Alps

    And that’s France! Nearly 1500km across France, with a mixture of everything from lovely flat river paths to super steep gradients as we approached the magnificent Alps. The language… It’s been challenging yet rewarding trying to get by with a tiny bit of the French language. We’ve both definitely picked up quite a bit of…

  • Sur La Loire

    A week on the beautiful Loire… Sandy river beaches, heat and no swimming allowed! Banned since 1969 on the Loire apparently- it’s a fast flowing, braided river with dangerous whirlpools, undercurrents and collapsing sandbanks. Looked tempting but… 10th August, A work and rest day in Nantes, with more culinary delights including a “single menu” meal…