Traveling by bike in Russia and Europe. The best travel bike: tips for choosing

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

It's always interesting to go to a new city, and even more so to another country. New people, interesting places, unusual culture - all this attracts more and more trips around the country and the world. Among the huge variety of modern modes of transport, people are increasingly choosing to travel by bicycle as the safest, most interesting and he althy way to travel. Today, the cycling industry offers a wide variety of models, among which there are those designed for long distances. Thus, you can not only travel on a road bike across Russia, but also travel all over Europe.

Where to start a trip to Russia on a bike

It doesn't matter if this is your first bike trip or you are already an experienced traveler - the choice of the route always determines how successful the tour will be. So if yourthe goal is to travel by bike in Russia, make it your first experience to ride in your region. Such a start will help to check several important points for a successful future tour:

• you will appreciate the level of your endurance;
• see how far you can cover in a day;
• check the capabilities of your transport;
• get your first cycling experience.

Moreover, in every region of Russia there are places worth visiting. If your first trip is successful and you see that you can make a real bike trip, then the vast expanses of our country are open to you. And to prepare for it as best as possible, the book "Bicycle and Travel" will help you - it describes all the details that you need to pay attention to when going on a trip.

Golden Ring is one of the best bike tour routes

Experienced travelers advise: before leaving the country, you should try your hand here. The habitual climate, knowledge of culture, language and local features will reduce the possibility of various difficult situations to a minimum.

One of the best routes for a cycling tour is considered to be a trip along the Golden Ring. Picturesque nature, beautiful churches, ancient houses that are more than one hundred years old - all this awaits you on such a trip. This tour usually includes visits to cities such as:

• Yaroslavl.
• Vladimir.
• Rostov.
• Suzdal.
• Uglich
• Kostroma.
• Plyos.

At the same time, it is necessary to visit each of these places in order for the travel experience to be complete.

Traveling through central Russia on a bike

There are many opportunities for lovers of cycling tours and the middle lane of the country. The most popular route here leads to the Volga River. The nature of this region differs from the central part, which makes it possible to diversify your trip. You can also go to Ladoga or the Karelian Isthmus, where the natural park "Valaam" has recently been operating, which all tourists can visit. The middle lane of the country is distinguished by the presence of a large number of places that are difficult to reach on foot, but a bicycle makes such trips possible. An example of such a place is the Kivach waterfall, which is located in Karelia. You can get there by bike in two days.

However, the Tolvoyari reserve is rightfully considered the most beautiful place in the middle lane, a trip through which will leave unforgettable impressions in your memory. There are special cycling routes, a trip along which will allow you to see the most picturesque places. Pure lakes, pine forests, deciduous groves and meadows - all this awaits you during your cycling trip.

Bicycle tour in the Urals

It is impossible to imagine a bicycle trip across Russia without visiting the Urals, where the largest number of natural monuments is located. Here on your waymajestic mountains, huge forests, pristine lakes and rivers will meet. The most popular cycling route in the Urals passes through the territory of the Bashkiria National Park. It is located in close proximity to the Shulgan-Tash nature reserve, where the most ancient secrets of beekeeping have been preserved.

In the Urals, cycling is very popular, so you can join a group of tourists or take a bike trip alone. Multi-day tours of varying degrees of difficulty allow you to choose the most optimal for yourself.

Traveling around Altai by bike

Altai is one of the most popular destinations for cycling. It is noteworthy that the routes here are mostly combined, and you will have to periodically change the bike for ATVs, horses and boats, because otherwise it is impossible to pass this mountainous region. That's why it's essential to have a folding bike for travel so you don't have to leave your vehicle somewhere.

Traveling through Altai will open intermountain basins and ridges for you, and going down to the lowlands, you will see beautiful steppes, which are considered archaeological monuments, as they belong to different historical stages of Altai.

The most interesting route here is along the Katun River, where half of the journey is rafting in swift waters.

Biking trip to Baikal

One of the most beautiful places not only in Russia but all over the world is Lake Baikal. A trip here should definitely be on the list of every realcyclist. The amazing beauty of the lake is not the only thing that attracts thousands of tourists every year. The very nature that surrounds it is unique in its mystery and majesty.

The most popular Baikal route starts at the Primorsky Range, in the taiga. From there you will drive southwest towards the lake itself, which everyone needs to see at least once in their life. After enjoying the amazing beauty of Baikal, you will head to the Tazheran steppe. On your way you will meet various ravines and many s alt lakes, which is rare for this climate. Biking around Baikal will be one of your most vivid impressions.

Romantic tour of Europe by bike. Germany

You can ride a bike not only in your own country. This type of transport is especially popular in Europe, where ideal conditions have been created for fans of such tours. If you are going to make a bike trip around Europe, you need to carefully consider the route so that you can see as many interesting places as possible in the time allotted for the trip.

One of the most popular routes for such trips passes through Germany, along the so-called Romantic Road. It starts in Würzburg and ends in Füssen in the foothills of the Bavarian Alps.

Extraordinarily beautiful landscapes will follow each other along the way, when you can truly relax from the hustle and bustle of the city. However, in addition to the most beautiful places, you can see the realhistorical landmarks of the country. After all, this route was the most important one used for trade in the Middle Ages. You will pass a real medieval castle in Bad Mergentheim, see the town hall with a clock tower built in the 18th century in Rettingen, and you can visit the Cathedral in Augsburg.

Besides, in many of the cities you will pass through, the remains of the fortress walls of the Middle Ages and a huge number of historical sights have been preserved.

Travel around Lake Constance

Another extremely interesting cycling route passes through three countries at once - Austria, Germany and Switzerland, which are united by the famous Lake Constance. It is located in the beautiful foothills of the Alps, on one side are the German federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, on the other - Austria and Switzerland.

An unusually easy bike tour, which you can go on even with children, starts in the city of Constanta. Slowly traveling along a beautiful road, you can see ancient churches, fortress walls, cobbled streets, towers and fountains - symbols of the Middle Ages. After all, these places were the centers of winemaking and grain trade in the Middle Ages.

Bike tour on the Road of Fairy Tales

One of the most amazing cycling routes passes through 70 old German cities and has a poetic name - Fairytale Road. Here your path will also run through the legendary Semigorye - a placeorigin of the tale of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. It was along this route that the Brothers Grimm traveled in their time, collecting on their way a wide variety of fairy tales that form the basis of German folklore. The end point of the route is the city of Bremen, strongly associated with the Bremen town musicians.

This route is the most attractive for traveling with children, as it passes through places associated with famous fairy tales. You will pass by the enchanted castle in which Rapunzel was imprisoned, the fortress of Sababurg, where the Sleeping Beauty slept in a magical dream until the prince woke her with his kiss, and the Schwalm region - the birthplace of the fairy tale of Little Red Riding Hood.

Loire Valley

Traveling by bike through the Loire Valley is a real break from the hustle and bustle of megacities. The route will pass through historical places familiar from childhood from the novels of Alexandre Dumas, as well as the most famous castles of the valley, bypassing noisy settlements.

The undoubted advantage of the Loire Valley tour is that it mostly passes through flat terrain, making it accessible to travelers of all fitness levels.

While doing so, you will see many interesting places, including the beautiful Chambord castle dating back to the Renaissance, the elegant 17th-century hunting pavilion of Ge-Pean, the garden of Catherine de Medici, the royal residence of Amboise.

Cycling along the Danube

Traveling by bike along the Danube River is one of the most interesting. It starts in the German city of Passau and ends in the Austrian capital.

A safe bike ride along an organized track with bike paths passing through interesting places is what awaits you on this tour. Convenient places to stay overnight are an additional advantage of the route.

The most beautiful landscapes of the Danube await you, including the so-called "Schlongener Loop", where the river makes a sharp turn. An obligatory point of the route is the Wachau Valley, which is known for its abundance of apricot orchards and vineyards.

Thus, for those who decide to travel around Europe by bike, there are many options, among which you can choose the most suitable for yourself.

The right bike is the key to a successful trip

In any journey, the state of transport plays a key role. As for this method, this question is especially important. By making the right choice of bike for travel, you can be sure that there will be no unpleasant surprises on the road.

When choosing a transport, one must take into account many nuances that together determine the level of travel safety. For example, the best travel bike is a folding one. When folded, it will not take up much space, so it can be easily transported, and even used in public places. This is especially important on those trips where you have to periodically change the way you travel.

Travel bike: which one to choose?

In order to make the most correct choice, it is necessary to take into account manydetails. For example, a bicycle must have a certain number of speeds, depending on the terrain you are heading to. And since the transport is not purchased for only one trip, it is advisable to choose it with the maximum number of speeds so that you can overcome steep climbs and drive on flat terrain with equal success.

The long-distance bike is expected to be used in various weather conditions. In addition, you will ride not only during the day, so it is mandatory to install good headlights or lanterns on vehicles. This will provide you with good visibility, and the motorist will be able to see you ahead of time.

It is also important to pay attention to the saddle of the vehicle. A soft and wide seat is good for long distances, while a narrow and hard seat is better for city driving.

Don't forget to choose the right wheels to help you pedal faster and less tired. For the perfect choice, use virtual roads to get to know all the features of the area. Also, do not forget about the means that protect the tire from punctures. They can come in handy at any time.

Do not ignore the frame with the rim. It is not at all necessary to choose the most expensive frame, the usual steel construction will be an excellent way out. And choose an aluminum rim, it will not deform during the trip. In addition to being the lightest, aluminum rims are also the most durable.

It will be very convenient,if you install a spacious trunk on the bike in which you will carry your things.

What accessories will you need for your bike trip

If you are convinced of the reliability of your transport, it's time to think about various accessories that will make your trip easy and safe.

For example, a bike computer would be very useful, which will show how many kilometers you have traveled, the speed of the ride and the number of calories burned.

You can't do without a special bicycle backpack during a trip, the size of which you need to choose based on what you are going to carry in it. A simple backpack will contain your clothes, and a special backpack will contain a sleeping bag, food and other necessary things.

Styrofoam rug will protect from cold weather and damp ground.

The player will make your journey more fun. Favorite music that accompanies you on the road will cheer you up and energize you. And of course, don't forget your camera! It is advisable to purchase a digital, small size, battery-operated. Very expensive models are not suitable for travel, as they are an extra load, and they can also break. And take care of additional memory cards so that you can take the desired number of shots.

If you have chosen and purchased reliable transport, prepared all the necessary things, then we can say that you are ready for a bike tour in Russia or Europe. Given the growing popularity of this methodtraveling around the world by bicycle may soon become available.