It is always interesting to go to a new city, and even more so to another country. New people, interesting places, an unusual culture - all this attracts you to make 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 healthy way to travel. Today, the bicycle industry offers a wide variety of models, among which there are ones designed for long distances. Thus, you can not only make a trip by road bike in Russia, but also travel all over Europe.
Where to start a trip to Russia on a bicycle
It doesn’t matter if this is your first bike trip or you are already an experienced traveler - it always depends on the choice of the route how successful the tour will be. So, if your goal is to travel by bike around Russia, make your first experience a trip to your region. Such a start will help to check several important points for a successful future tour:
- You will appreciate the level of your stamina;
- see what distance you can cover in a day;
- check the capabilities of your vehicle;
- Get your first bike trip experience.
Moreover, in every region of Russia there are places that are worth visiting. If your first trip turns out to be successful and you see that you can make a real cycling trip, the vast expanses of our homeland are open for you. And the book “Bicycle and Travel” will help you prepare for it as best as possible - it describes all the details that you need to pay attention to when going on a trip.
The Golden Ring is one of the best routes for a bicycle tour.
Experienced travelers advise: before you go outside the country, you should try your hand here. The familiar climate, knowledge of culture, language and local characteristics will reduce the possibility of various difficult situations to a minimum.
One of the best routes for a bicycle tour is considered a trip to the Golden Ring. Picturesque nature, beautiful churches, old houses that are not one hundred years old - all this awaits you on such a trip. This tour, as a rule, includes a visit to cities such as:
- Yaroslavl
- Vladimir
- Rostov.
- Suzdal.
- Uglich.
- Kostroma.
- Ples.
At the same time, it is necessary to visit each of these places in order to have a complete travel experience.
Traveling in Central Russia by bicycle
The middle lane of the country also presents many opportunities for cycling lovers. The most popular route here leads to the Volga River. The nature of this region is different from the central part, which makes it possible to diversify your trip. You can also go to Ladoga or the Karelian Isthmus, where the Valaam Natural Park has recently been operating, which all tourists can visit. The middle lane of the country is characterized by the presence of a large number of places that are difficult to access for hiking, but the bicycle makes such trips possible. An example of such a place is the Kivach waterfall, which is located in Karelia. You can ride there by bike in two days.
However, the Tolvoyari Nature Reserve is rightfully considered the most beautiful place in the middle lane, a trip through which will leave an unforgettable experience in memory. Special cycling routes are laid here, a trip along which will allow you to see the most picturesque places. Clear lakes, pine forests, deciduous groves and meadows - all this awaits you during your cycling trip.
Ural bicycle tour
It is impossible to imagine a bicycle trip in Russia without visiting the Urals, where the largest number of natural monuments are located. Here on your way you will meet majestic mountains, huge forests, pristine lakes and rivers. The most popular cycle 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 in Altai by bike
Altai is one of the most popular destinations for cycling trips. It is noteworthy that the routes here are mostly combined, and you will have to periodically change your bike for ATVs, horses and boats, because otherwise it is impossible to go through this mountainous region. That is why it is necessary to have a folding bike for travel so that you do not have to leave your vehicle somewhere.
Traveling in Altai will open for you intermountain hollows and ridges, and going down to the lowland, you will see beautiful steppes, which are considered monuments of archeology, as they relate to different historical stages of Altai.
The most interesting route here runs along the Katun River, where half the journey is rafting on fast waters.
Cycling to Baikal
One of the most beautiful places not only in Russia but throughout the world is Lake Baikal. A trip here must be on the list of every real bike traveler. The lake of amazing beauty is not the only thing that attracts thousands of tourists every year. The very nature that surrounds it is unique in its mystery and grandeur.
The most popular route along Baikal begins at the Primorsky ridge, in the taiga. From there, you will travel southwest towards the lake itself, which you need to see at least once in your life. Having enjoyed the amazing beauty of Lake Baikal, you will head to the Tazheran steppe. On your way there will be various ravines and many salt lakes, which is rare for this climate. Cycling around Lake Baikal will be one of your most vivid impressions.
Romantic Europe bike tour. Germany
Not only in the territory of your country you can ride a bike. This type of transport is especially popular in Europe, where ideal conditions are created for lovers of such tours. If you are planning to travel by bike around Europe, you need to carefully consider the route so that you can see as many interesting places as possible for the time allotted for the trip.
One of the most popular routes for such trips runs through Germany, the so-called Romantic Road. It begins in Würzburg and ends in Füssen, which is located in the foothills of the Bavarian Alpine mountains.
Extraordinarily beautiful landscapes will succeed each other 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 real historical sights of the country. After all, this route was the most basic in the Middle Ages, used for trade. 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.
In addition, in many cities through which you will pass, the remains of the fortress walls of the Middle Ages and a huge number of historical sights are preserved.
Travel around Lake Constance
Another extremely interesting route for cycling passes right through three countries - 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 of it are the German federal states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, on the other - Austria and Switzerland.
An unusually light bike tour, which you can even go with your children, begins in the city of Konstanz. Traveling slowly along a beautiful road, you can see ancient churches, fortified walls, cobbled streets, towers and fountains - symbols of the Middle Ages. After all, it was these places that were the centers of winemaking and grain trade in the Middle Ages.
Fairytale Road Bike Tour
One of the most amazing cycling routes goes through 70 ancient German cities and has a poetic name - Fairy Tale Road. Here your path will also lie through the legendary Semigorye - the place where the tale of Snow White and the seven dwarfs originated. It was along this route that the Grimm brothers traveled in their time, collecting on their way many diverse 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 Sababurg fortress, where the Sleeping Beauty slept with a magic dream, until the prince awakens her with her kiss, as well as the Schwalm region - the birthplace of the fairy tale about Little Red Riding Hood.
Loire Valley
Cycling through the Loire Valley is a real relaxation from the hustle and bustle of big cities. The route will run through historical places, from childhood familiar from the novels of Alexander Dumas, as well as the most famous castles of the valley, bypassing noisy settlements.
The undoubted advantage of the tour of the Loire Valley is that it mainly passes through the flat terrain, which makes it accessible to the traveler with any physical training.
At the same time, you will see many interesting places, including the beautiful Chambord castle dating back to the Renaissance, the elegant hunting pavilion of the 17th century Ge-Pean, the garden of Catherine de Medici, the royal residence of Amboise.
Along the Danube on a bicycle
Cycling along the Danube River is one of the most interesting. It begins in the German city of Passau and ends in the capital of Austria.
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 sleep - an additional advantage of the route.
You are waiting for the most beautiful landscapes of the Danube, including the so-called “Loop Schlönger”, where the river makes a sharp turn. An obligatory point on the route is the Wachau Valley, which is known for its abundance of apricot orchards and vineyards.
Thus, for those who decide to go on a trip to Europe by bicycle, 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. Having made the right choice of a bicycle 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 bike to travel is a folding bike . 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 trips where you have to periodically change the way you travel.
Bike for travel: which one to choose?
In order to make the most correct choice, it is necessary to take into account many details. For example, a bicycle should have a certain number of speeds, depending on the terrain in which you are heading. And since transport is not purchased for only one trip, it is advisable to choose it with the maximum number of speeds so that you can equally successfully overcome steep climbs and ride on flat terrain.
It is assumed that the bike for long trips will be operated in various weather conditions. In addition, you will not only ride during the day, so it is mandatory to install good headlights or lights on vehicles. This will provide you with good visibility, and the motorist will be able to notice you ahead of time.
It is also important to pay attention to the saddle of transport. A soft and wide seat is well suited for long distances, while a narrow and hard seat is best used for moving around the city.
Do not forget to choose the right wheels that will help you pedal faster and less tired. For the perfect choice, use the virtual roads to find out 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 necessary to choose the most expensive frame; a conventional steel structure will be an excellent way out. And pick up the aluminum rim, it will not deform during the trip. Besides the fact that the aluminum rim is the lightest, it is also the most reliable.
It will be very convenient if you install a spacious trunk on the bike in which you will carry your things.
What accessories will be needed during a 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 will be very useful, which will show how many kilometers you traveled, driving speed and calories burned.
During the trip, you can’t do without a special bicycle backpack, the size of which you need to choose based on what you are going to carry in it. Your clothes will be in a simple backpack, and in a special backpack - a sleeping bag, food and other necessary things.
Expanded polystyrene mat protects from cold weather and damp earth.
The player will make your trip more fun. Favorite music accompanying on the road will cheer you up and energize you. And of course, don't forget the camera! It is advisable to purchase a digital, small size, battery-powered. Very expensive models are not suitable for travel, as they are an extra burden, moreover, they can 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. And given the growing popularity of this method of transportation, perhaps around the world cycling will soon become available.