The easiest cycling experience in a country we visited in was Germany, with Holland a close second. The German bicycle lanes and signs are everywhere. Signage directs you to any town you need to go to and gives you routes through small, less traveled roads. You can tell that bicycling has been a part of the German culture, not only for tourism but also a way to get from point A to point B, for a very long time. The cycling system in Germany is not new. In addition, there were usually direct ways to get to our destination. In addition, compared to the other countries we visited, German landscape had a lot more variety in the landscape. We started in Munich and cycled through the bavarian alps, to the hilly romantic road, and to cycling along flat river paths and cities. The terrain was interesting and changed a lot in the north, which made for interesting cycling. Pictured below of me cycling in the Bavarian alps.
Holland had amazing bike lanes and signs but it usually took extra kilometers to get to our destination. The routes seemed to be designed with tourists in mind and took the scenic way around cities, lakes, and canals. Don't get me wrong, they are beautiful routes, but when we are cycling an average of 100km a day, we just want the most direct way possible. The scenery in Holland did not change much. Cycling over bridges and navigating the system of canals continued throughout the small country. The bike lanes were amazing. Every day was exciting, because I knew that we wouldn't have to deal with busy roads or highways. These cycling paths were completely out of the way and very safe. Pictured below is me in Holland and an example of the excellent cycling paths.
Southern Belgium and Luxembourg proved to be a challenge, especially compared to Germany and Holland. The impression that Luxembourg left on us was sour to say the least. The people were less than hospitable. We left Germany thinking Luxembourg would be an excellent country to cycle in, but boy were we wrong. If you are looking for sports cars, this is the place. Are you looking to avoid taxes? Bring your money to Luxembourg. Cycling? Don't come here. No bike lanes. Barely a bicycle culture. People shout from cars, for no apparent reason.
When we first entered Belgium from Luxembourg, we were encouraged by the bike lanes in front of us. Unfortunately that only lasted for five or so kilometers. It was a tease. We took a main road all the way to Brussels, and that may have been a mistake but it was also the more direct way and less hilly. Southern Belgium is covered in hills so cycling is always up and down, up and down. The road we cycled goes through small towns but then shifts into a highway outside of the communities. As I described in an earlier post, sometimes there would be no shoulder at all. Similar to Luxembourg, it didn't seem like southern Belgium had much of cycling culture at all.
Northern Belgium was completely different. Cycling was a lot easier in Antwerp, even compared to Brussels. It may be because of their neighbor, Holland.
Overall, the trip was an amazing experience. Martin and I were really impressed with the kindness of people in all of the countries we visited. We had wonderful experiences visiting and meeting with locals and learning more about each culture. Europe, however, is crowded. There are no open spaces in Europe. We count our blessings every day in the U.S. that we have opportunities to explore without the crowds and get lost in nature. It seems to be nearly impossible to do that in the countries we visited.
Traveling by bicycle is something that we are going to continue to do. It allows us to slow down and see the country, city, or community intimately. In fact, after being back in the U.S. for a few weeks we are already planning our next bicycle adventure in Australia! We will be cycling the east coast of Australia for three months - March - June 2016, Melbourne to Brisbane. Stay tuned!
When we first entered Belgium from Luxembourg, we were encouraged by the bike lanes in front of us. Unfortunately that only lasted for five or so kilometers. It was a tease. We took a main road all the way to Brussels, and that may have been a mistake but it was also the more direct way and less hilly. Southern Belgium is covered in hills so cycling is always up and down, up and down. The road we cycled goes through small towns but then shifts into a highway outside of the communities. As I described in an earlier post, sometimes there would be no shoulder at all. Similar to Luxembourg, it didn't seem like southern Belgium had much of cycling culture at all.
Northern Belgium was completely different. Cycling was a lot easier in Antwerp, even compared to Brussels. It may be because of their neighbor, Holland.
Overall, the trip was an amazing experience. Martin and I were really impressed with the kindness of people in all of the countries we visited. We had wonderful experiences visiting and meeting with locals and learning more about each culture. Europe, however, is crowded. There are no open spaces in Europe. We count our blessings every day in the U.S. that we have opportunities to explore without the crowds and get lost in nature. It seems to be nearly impossible to do that in the countries we visited.
Traveling by bicycle is something that we are going to continue to do. It allows us to slow down and see the country, city, or community intimately. In fact, after being back in the U.S. for a few weeks we are already planning our next bicycle adventure in Australia! We will be cycling the east coast of Australia for three months - March - June 2016, Melbourne to Brisbane. Stay tuned!
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