BLOG

Our researchers travel far and wide to bring you the very best in travel news and opinion. Why accept anything less?

Not my day – total lost

October 1st

Vittel

I slept as well as one can in a tent; it rained during the night, but it stopped by morning. My alarm goes off at 5:30, but I linger in bed until ten to six.

I pack up everything I can and head to the reception area for breakfast and to charge my devices. I set off at a quarter to eight and make my way out of town—there’s a steep hill followed by several smaller ones.
Cycling through the agricultural landscape, you realize just how well-suited France is for cycling races. It’s constantly up and down. Maps.me is acting up badly, giving me directions for roads that don’t exist, and so on.

Typical French agricultural landscape

I arrive in a small village with a four-way intersection, completely lost. Checking my location on Maps.me doesn’t help—the position on the map is way off, and the rain is coming down harder.

I approach a homeowner heading out to go fishing, when I show him my destination on the map, he just shakes his head. He kindly offers to drive me back to Vittel and its transport hub, a fifteen-minute trip.’

Vittel train and busstaion

The tourist office is also located at the train and bus station, so I ask about trains or buses to Dijon. The woman behind the counter—an attractive woman in her mid-forties—prints out a timetable and price details for me, and I buy tickets from the machine. I enter all the information, only to discover that no connections—neither trains nor buses—are available until October 3rd or 4th!

I walk out to the bus stop and ask a woman the easiest way to find the right bus to Dijon.

She tells me in decent English that…
– No direct buses to Dijon; first to Nancy, and from there you can go anywhere.

She ask the busdriver next to us and he confirms what she what the woman had just told me.

 – You can go with me and with your bicycle to – 10€.

I need to get away from all the small villages. When I arrive in Nancy, it was easy to find the hotel where I stayed previously, and the train leaves tomorrow, October 1st, at 12:34 PM.

Talk soon,
// P-G
The World Cyclist

Total distance 26,74 km Travel time 01:13 h.m Total time 07:11 h.m
Max speed 44,1 km/h Medium speed  17,6 km/h
Max temp – Average temp – Min temp –
Highest altitude 417  m.a.s.l Lowest altitude 308  m.a.s.l Total elevation 351 m

Hi again  

// P-G
The Global Cyclist

By |2026-10-04T15:42:50+00:00October 1st, 2026|Europe, France, General|0 Comments
Read More

To Vittel and cycling along a wonderful canal path

September 30
Nancy – Vittel

I set off just after 8:00, and getting out of Nancy proves to be no problem at all. After barely 14 km, I turn left off the main road onto a canal-side cycle path—the Canal des Vosges—which stretches 124 km and features 93 locks.

I won’t be passing all of them, of course, but I’ll likely encounter around twenty. It’s a pretty perfect cycle path: almost no oncoming traffic and a near-flawless surface. Sometimes I’m on the left side of the canal, sometimes on the right.

Canal des Voges.
This is the start of the 30 km canal cycling

By the time I eventually turn off, I’ve cycled nearly 30 km along the Canal des Vosges—formerly known as the Canal de l’Est. There are no cars or vehicles, just the occasional jogger or cyclist.

A wonderful cycling ride fort almost 30 km

Around 10:30, the headwind starts to make itself felt; it’s mild at first, but grows stronger as the day goes on.

At 1:00 PM, I stop in a small town called Mirecourt. I need to charge my phone, and I’m craving both coffee and beer. I spend a good half-hour sitting at a small pub.

Entrance into Mirecourt overt Madon river

Nice and almost empty pub, but goof coffee and beer

From here, I have just 21 km left to Vittel, but they turn out to be a tough 21 km; a series of long, gradual inclines combined with a stubborn headwind make the ride really grueling.

In France, Catholicism is palpable.

I cycle into Vittel at almost exactly 4:00 PM; I spot a sign for a campsite and follow it. It’s located in a residential area. It’s not a large campsite, but I find a secluded spot.

I pitch my tent quickly and then head to the campsite’s snack bar. I need to charge my phone, which is completely dead.

I buy a coffee and a Coke. I ask at reception if it’s okay for me to bring my camping stove and use one of the tables for dinner…

– It’s OK.

I take along my camping stove and cooler bag, my mobile phone, my laptop, and the tent light, as they all need charging.

Right now, the weather is pleasantly warm, but it’s clouding over, and the forecast predicts rain.
Dinner will be rice and fried pork, a beer, and coffee.

Dinner at Seasonova Camp in Vittel

Tomorrow, I’m heading towards Saint-Ciergues—about the same distance as today.

Total distance 94,13 km Travel time 06:17 h.m Total time 07:45 h.m
Max speed 47,5 km/h Medium speed  15,1 km/h
Max temp – Average temp – Min temp –
Highest altitude  418 m.a.s.l Lowest altitude  226 m.a.s.l Total elevation 711 m

See Yeah Later

// P-G
The Global Cyclist

By |2026-10-01T21:21:52+00:00September 30th, 2026|Europe, France|0 Comments
Read More

Nancy, a lively and exciting city

September 27-29
Nancy

I wake up earlier than expected; the issue with the hotel booking probably hasn’t quite let go of my mind.

Breakfast is hearty and offers my usual favorites: muesli, yogurt, bread, cold cuts, juice, various jams, fried sausage and bacon, and scrambled eggs. I eat until I’m completely full.

During breakfast, I see via Booking.com that I don’t have to pay for the booking, which delights me—it amounted to 1,000 kronor, after all.

I’ve checked the route to Nancy Room, and this time I have Maps.Me with me the whole way. It takes only twenty minutes to cycle there. I find the door immediately; the directions I received were spot-on.

The door is locked; I realize that check-in doesn’t start until 2:00 PM. Still, I send a message via WhatsApp asking if it might be okay to come in and drop off my bags.

Nancy Room replies within a minute…
– Enter
– Make your self some coffee in the kitchen

I cross the street and push down the handle; the door opens… I’m pleased. I carry all my bags inside and place them by the kitchen window.

After a while, a middle-aged man appears—strange; I had pictured a woman. The name “Nancy” must have misled me a bit there… though technically I *am* in Nancy right now, so perhaps I wasn’t entirely wrong after all.

We make some small talk, and he asks for ID…
– Is a driver’s license okay?
– Yes, that works. I get room D21 on the second floor—a small room facing the street, with a reasonably large bed and a fridge. The shower and toilet are out in the hallway and look fresh and clean.

Down in the kitchen, there is a large stove with four modern burners; all the necessary equipment is there, and there is even a washing machine in the kitchen that guests can use for free. The bus into town—the T1—departs just a few hundred meters away along the street and runs roughly every five minutes. You just need to keep an eye on the stops, but the buses provide good digital information about current and upcoming stops. You are allowed to bring your bike on board.

After getting settled, I plan a route to the nearest bike repair shop, Cycle Minus, but it turns out to be closed. My next route takes me to Cyklomanika, located in the city center. Maps.Me proves helpful once again, and I find the shop after a 25-minute bike ride.

The mechanic takes charge of the bike, and I explain that the disc brakes are worn out and the rear wheel has a bit of a wobble.

He checks it himself and nods… I mention that I’ll be staying in Nancy tomorrow as well, so I don’t expect it to be ready this afternoon.

“You can pick up the bike around lunchtime tomorrow.”

He glances at his paperwork and adds:

“It costs 68 euros, and it’s cash only.”

Satisfied, I head into town. There are people everywhere; I stop at a café for a cold beer and then browse through various shops—the tourist office, a shopping mall.

Many streets in Nancy are narrow, often long and straight. The city is bustling with life and activity. As the clock approaches 6 p.m., I look for the T1 bus, and finding it is no trouble at all. The T-lines seem to be a sort of…
I’m going to make some dinner and then put on my headphones to listen to the football match between Sweden and Poland.
Tomorrow I’ll pick up the bike, and then I can really pick up speed on the downhills…

September 29

Picking up the bike and taking a walk in Nancy

I slept well in my big bed, even though the traffic outside was quite heavy at times. I have breakfast and get ready to head to Cyklomaniak. I need to take the bus, but which one? I walk down to the bus stop for line T1, knock on the driver’s window, and show him the address.

He thinks for a moment and says I can go to this stop—pointing to the map on my phone.

It seems to be near Place Stanislas, just a short walk away. Everything was correct, and I even recognized the pub where I’d stopped yesterday after dropping off the bike.

The bike is ready among the others; the brakes are working perfectly now, the rear wheel no longer wobbles, and the tires are inflated.

I pay the agreed sum of 68 euros and then cycle off. First stop: Place Stanislas for a coffee. I check my email, specifically looking for a reply from SvD. I only received an automated standard reply that offered no guidance regarding the subscription I wanted to cancel.

I found a phone number and called customer service, explained the situation, and stated that I wanted to cancel the subscription. I was told that by failing to reply to a different email, I had effectively confirmed the transition from the trial period to an annual subscription—which entailed 12 payments of 299 kronor.

I explained that I hadn’t seen the confirmation email and pointed out that it had likely ended up in my spam folder.

After some back-and-forth discussion involving myself, customer service, and the manager, I was informed that I only needed to pay for the subscription up to October of this year. I accepted this and was quite satisfied.

Then some more cycling around the area, heading into the large green park for more coffee and a cup of ice cream. Back through Place Stanislas and some more browsing.

I visit a market selling everything imaginable—and then some—and step into a huge food hall where you could buy anything; they had several cafés there, too. I didn’t buy anything.

Around 3:00 PM, I head up through town toward the railway station, near where the T1 buses depart.

On the way up, I encounter a massive demonstration; people are dressed in light blue and reddish-pink. It’s a trade union protest against the French government’s cutbacks.

Demonstation against the goverments cutbacks

Even dogs are involved—naturally. I arrive and wait; the T1 bus usually comes every five minutes, but there seems to be a problem now.

Even dogs are involved

The information board displays a message in French, so I pull out my phone and the translation app.

I take a picture and the translation reveals that, due to today’s demonstration, T1 bus services are suspended between 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM.

I cycle up to the hotel where I stayed when I first arrived, book a table, and order a beer. I sit there until just before 4:30 PM, then cycle toward the T1 stop. I arrive just as the bus is about to leave. I steer my bike into the back section.

Fifteen minutes later, I get off at the stop near my room. Before heading home, I stop at a U-Express to stock up on supplies and then at a takeaway shop. I get some fried potatoes and a few chicken thighs.

Back in my room, I do a bit of prep for tomorrow’s ride to Attila. I eat the dinner I bought with a hearty appetite; it tastes amazing.

I watch a bit of French TV without understanding much. I look up information about tomorrow online, check out the government turmoil and the SVT teletext pages, before settling in with my headphones and the radio program *Studio Ett*.

I fall asleep pretty quickly.

See Yeah Later

// P-G
The Global Cyclist

By |2026-10-01T20:59:10+00:00September 29th, 2026|France, General|0 Comments
Read More

Nancy Next and I encountered the Pope’s motorcade on my way out of Metz

September 27
I wake up to my Xiaomi 12T Pro’s alarm blaring like crazy at 5:30 AM. I tap the screen to grab ten more minutes of sleep.

I manage to have a decent breakfast before leaving the campsite at 8:00 AM—and then it’s just a matter of getting out of town…

Well, not quite that simple. Maps.Me is sluggish in the morning, as usual, and things get messy if I don’t catch every little path it wants me to take.

It takes nearly 45 minutes before I’m on the right track. After a few kilometers in a small town south of Metz, I encounter police cars and other vehicles with sirens and flashing blue lights; it turns out to be the Pope—Leo XIV—coming to visit Metz.

In France, the Pope is a big deal and draws a huge crowd.

The Moselle Wine Route is a tourist route that runs through the wine region, allowing visitors to discover the wines and their production, and its quite easy to cycle

The road ahead is relatively flat and traffic is light—it is Sunday, after all. I’ve already decided to stop for coffee somewhere along the way before noon.

When I reach the main entrance to Pont-à-Mousson, I spot a Lidl and get the idea that they might have a café, but this particular store doesn’t. Further down the road, however,

I do find a café. I just have a coffee and charge my phone; Maps.Me really drains the battery.

Bridge over Mosel i Pont á Mousson

After half an hour, I head toward the main entrance and continue on; according to the map, I need to cross a bridge, which takes me over the Moselle River.

By the bridge stands a magnificent cathedral—it’s impossible not to stop and admire it. Almost every town has some form of church; in larger towns, these are often cathedrals—and magnificent, ancient ones at that.

It is called the Église Saint-Martin de Pont-à-Mousson—a Gothic church, if the information board is to be believed.

Sankt Martin de Pont-à-Mousson, It was built between the 13th and 15th centuries

After crossing the river, it seems as though the entire population of Pont-à-Mousson is out and about. A large square comes into view, teeming with people strolling, shopping at the market stalls, drinking coffee and beer, and simply enjoying the pleasant atmosphere.

Market day i Pont á Mousson then all has left their homes

After all, it is Sunday—market day—so everyone turns out in force. It takes a little while to make my way through the crowds, but eventually, I am on the right road toward Nancy.

The rest of the ride is fairly easy, with only a few scattered, slightly tougher hills. About six or seven kilometers before Nancy, I encounter a small town with road diversions and construction work, and Maps.Me isn’t up to date. It takes about twenty minutes before I find a route to Nancy that isn’t a motorway.

Just after 1:30 PM, I cycle into Nancy—first along small roads, then through an incredibly beautiful park filled with large green trees and grassy areas where people are sitting, having coffee, or simply sneezing.

On the edge of the park, there are several bars with outdoor seating; I check out a few but can’t find a spot where I can both have a coffee and use a power outlet.

Grand Hotel De La Reine at famous Place Stanislas


I continue toward the city center, and suddenly I cycle through a beautiful archway and arrive at a gigantic plaza. It is packed with restaurants—many of which look upscale—and the surrounding buildings are magnificent, ornate, and very old.

The square is called Place Stanislas and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Place Stanislas dates back to the 17th century.

I continue up a small street lined with outdoor terraces—places more within my price range. I spot an Algerian spot that looks appealing.

Perhaps it has something to do with the Irish Setter sitting outside that looks just like Jussi.

I couldn’t just order a beer; some rule required me to eat something as well.

I get a tasty sandwich—a generous size, and the flavor is spot on.

I had already booked two nights in Nancy; I need to get new disc brake pads, as the current ones are completely worn out.

I had booked via Booking.com and entered the address into Maps.Me.

After this quick lunch, I cycle through Nancy, guided by Maps.Me, to 54 Rue de la Hoche, where my accommodation is supposed to be.

I find the address and the door, but no one answers. There are four doorbells, but still no response.

I ring the neighbor’s bell; a young man comes out, and I try to explain that I’ve booked a room next door.

He reads the message from the host and claims the address is actually 62 Rue de la Hoche, not where I am now.

The trouble is, there are no street numbers higher than 54.

He mentions a street near the train station and shows me on his phone. I head off to look, but have no luck.

I give up and find a new place right near the train station: Campanile Nancy Centre. I can only get a room for the night; they’re fully booked for the following day.

My alternative hotel in Nancy, but just for one night…!

I take it anyway, figuring I can find suitable accommodation later at my leisure. I handle it via Hotels.com—the Nancy Room.

I check the details and get a response from the owner, including directions and which bus to take to get there tomorrow.

I book and pay, and Hotels.com confirms that everything is in order.

Then I take a walk around the neighborhood to regain my composure after the hotel mix-up with Booking.com.

 

Total distance 76,22 km Travel time 04:58 h.m Total time 09:55 h.m
Max speed 37,4 km/h Medium speed  15,5 km/h
Max temp – Average temp – Min temp –
Highest altitude 253  m.a.s.l Lowest altitude  167 m.a.s.l Total elevation 382 m

See Yeah Later
// P-G
The Global Cyclist

By |2026-09-29T19:34:07+00:00September 28th, 2026|France, General|0 Comments
Read More

Easy cycling to Metz, apart from Maps Me

September 26
Luxembourg – Metz

I wake up early and have a light breakfast. I carry all my bags down and mount them on the bike. It is almost exactly 9:00 AM when I get into the saddle and start pedaling uphill.

According to Maps.Me, getting out of Luxembourg shouldn’t be a problem, but that turns out not to be the case.

Extensive roadworks, construction projects, and closed bike paths complicate things. Maps.Me doesn’t seem to be up to date. Eventually, I make my way out of the city and spot signs for Metz; then I know, at least, that I’m on the right track.

The road is fairly easy to ride but a bit monotonous. On the outskirts of Thionville, I stop for a quick coffee.
Then I continue through small villages with the Moselle River on my left. I follow it as far as Pépinville, where I switch to a long canal—the *Canal des Mines de Fer de la Moselle*—following it all the way to a point south of Hauconcourt, where the Moselle becomes my companion once again.

Crossing Le canal des mines de fer de la Moselle

I arrive in Metz just before 2:30 PM; one of the first things I notice is a fountain in front of the Metz opera house and theater.

Fountain with a sculpture in front of the Opéra-Théâtre de Metz Métropole

Bridge Pontsd der Morts, one of many bridges over Mosel i Metz

Finding the campsite, Camping Municipal Metz—located on the other side of the Moselle—is no problem; I cross the river via the Ponts des Morts bridge.

Rising up before me is a massive church or cathedral tower—impressive in the true sense of the word.

Just past the bridge, I turn right through a small park, and the reception is at the far end.

Getting a spot for the tent is no problem; The large green triangle I receive—which I have to place on or next to the tent—is marked with the number 122. The sun is shining, and the weather feels just like a Swedish Midsummer Day.

I quickly pitch the tent, get out my sleeping bag, and hang it on the nearby clothes rack. Then I go to the restroom; afterwards, I sit down at the bar—which hasn’t opened yet—and do a bit of Googling.

As usual, the campsite is full of motorhomes and caravans, though there are some tents as well.

While waiting for the bar to open, I take a walk into town to look at the cathedral I saw when cycling across the bridge.

Cathédrale Saint-Etienne de Metz

Once the bar opens, I order a croissant and a beer.

It doesn’t take long for all the outdoor tables to fill up, and I sit there enjoying the beer and the lively atmosphere.

Then I head back to cook dinner. I have the luxury of a covered patio just a few meters from the tent, so it serves as both kitchen and dining area.

By eight o’clock in the evening, darkness has fallen; I get ready to wash up and then crawl into my sleeping bag. Tomorrow’s route to Nancy is already planned.

Just before half-past nine, I fall asleep to the sound of the *Studio Ett* program from Sveriges Radio.

garmi

Total distance 65,16 km Travel time 04:46 h.m Total time 05:25 h.m
Max speed 48,0 km/h Medium speed  17,3 km/h
Max temp – Average temp – Min temp –
Highest altitude  312 m.a.s.l Lowest altitude  156 m.a.s.l Total elevation 300 m

See Yeah Later

// P-G

The Global Cyclist

By |2026-09-29T18:58:23+00:00September 26th, 2026|France, Luxemburg|0 Comments
Read More

Trier and Luxembourg next

Trier and a tough climb

I set off just before eight o’clock, and the weather is perfect for cycling.

The Moselle Valley stays by my side, providing a comforting sense of security and tranquility. Just before reaching Riel, I cross the Moselle and pass through a charming wine-growing village, then tackle a grueling, winding ascent that stretches for several kilometers—ed by a breathtaking, panoramic view.

By 1:00 PM, with about half the distance to Trier remaining, I stop in Wittlich at a Netto store. Time for a break and to charge my phone.
The final 15 km into Trier drag on, with heavy traffic making the journey slow. Once in the city—which feels rather dull—I spot a sign for a campsite and keep my focus, watching for the next turn.

I want to get the tent up quickly and have dinner before darkness falls. The campsite isn’t top-notch, but it’s located almost right in the city center, by the Moselle River. Most of the campers are, as usual, in motorhomes or caravans; there are only five or six of us in tents.

I manage to pitch the tent and have dinner before the sun dips below the horizon.

Dinner in Trier campingplace and before sunset

Tomorrow marks my last day in Germany, and Luxembourg awaits. It will be a brand-new country for me, and I aim to arrive before noon.

  -September 23 – Luxembourg- 

I leave the campsite as soon as I’ve returned the card and key and got my €20 deposit back.
It’s a quarter past eight, and the cycle path out of the city is rather dull. I have 20 km to go until Temmels, where I’ll take another break at a bakery and café called Dietz.
It’s 3 km from there to the Luxembourg border, and I reach it quite soon…

My next new country

My next country waiting

After a few more kilometers, I cross the Moselle again and enter Grevenmacher; then comes the next tough climb—a 3–4% gradient for two kilometers. That’s followed by a fantastic downhill stretch and a long, tedious straightaway.

Grevenmacher

In Senningen, I hit the next grueling incline; there’s roadwork going on, so I have to weave between vehicles and traffic cones. But now, there are barely 11 km left to the capital—and three days of rest from all the cycling.

Arriving before 11:30, I reach the city center after a long uphill climb. On a narrow little street, I find a bar and pub where I order a beer, followed by chicken soup served with four slices of white bread.

While I eat, I pull up the directions to the George & Dragon Pub, where I’ll be staying for three nights. Best of all, it’s located in a quiet area just a few kilometers from the city center.

I got my bearings the town center before cycling through to my B&B, conveniently located in an area with a name that’s easy to pronounce.

lace Guillaume II square

Guard secure the Grand Duke of Luxembourg

Grand Duke of Luxembourg lives here

My B&B, George and Dragon Pub

Interior in the pub and bar

I’m greeted first by a man standing behind the counter by one of several beer taps. I tell him:

“I’ve booked three nights and…”

“Sorry, I don’t understand English,” the man says, calling out for a woman. She speaks English and tells me I’m a bit early.

“Sit down and wait,” she says, while showing me my booking on her mobile phone. After half an hour, I get access to my room two floors up; it’s an attic room with no windows, though it does have a skylight.

The room contains a large double bed, a chest of drawers, a wardrobe, and a fridge. A reddish-brown leather sofa runs along one of the long walls. The shower and toilet are in the hallway outside.

I learn that the buses into the city center stop right outside and run every fifteen minutes.

Once settled in, I unpack and take a shower. There are cutlery, plates, and a kettle in the hallway—something I really appreciate.

My friend, mascot, “Lill-Kenta” has found his place and he enjoys it

After my shower, I boil some water, get out the instant coffee, pour myself a 4 cl measure of whiskey, and lie down on the bed to thoroughly unwind.

“Lill-Kenta” claims a cozy corner and plops down, ready to soak up the moment like a cat in a sunbeam.

Total distance 54,99 km Travel time 03:55 h.m Total time 07:01 h.m
Max speed 45,4 km/h Medium speed  14,1 km/h
Max temp – Average temp – Min temp –
Highest altitude  422 m.a.s.l Lowest altitude  147 m.a.s.l Total elevation 563 m

See Yeah Soon
// P-G 
The Global Cyclist

By |2026-09-26T06:12:25+00:00September 24th, 2026|General, Germany, Luxemburg|0 Comments
Read More

Cycling along the Mosel river and through a stunning valley

September 21–22
Moselle Valley

The day offers a relatively flat bike ride along the Moselle River, though there are a few uphill stretches. We set off after 8:30 a.m.—since the reception opens at 8:00—allowing time for a cup of coffee in the bistro first.

Grapes taste lovley

The weather is sunny and pleasantly warm with barely any headwind, and the route follows the designated cycle path all day. Along the way, we encounter many groups of day-trippers traveling between small towns, often on e-bikes and carrying light gear.

The route takes us through picturesque villages and towns along the banks of the Moselle, where vineyards stretch out in endless rows across the hillsides.

My first major stop is Cochem, about 45 km away, where we plan to stock up on supplies and grab a snack. The town is lively and straddles the river; a large bridge leads to the side where the grocery stores are located. After a bit of searching, I find two shops and buy bread, butter, cheese, and yogurt.

Bridge over Mosel in Cochem

After crossing back over the bridge, I look for a café before heading toward Senheim. Maps.Me suggests a route taking us higher up through the town, leading to a steep, nearly three-kilometer climb over the hill—a climb so grueling that my legs are still protesting!

Road from Cochem over the hill to Senheim

Senheim, Moselriver end Nehren down

This is followed by a scenic descent toward Senheim, Nehren, and the Moselle River, which winds its way through the valley and the vineyards.

Upon reaching Senheim, I decide to spend the night at the campsite after a quick tour of the village. I book a spot right by the river, with the bridge as our nearest neighbor.

Night camp at Senheim campingplace

After pitching the tent, I enjoy a cold beer at the campsite’s bar and pub. The evening concludes with food, coffee, and some research for tomorrow’s ride towards the border city of Trier.

Total distance 64,51 km Travel time 04:13 h.m Total time 07:02 h.m
Max speed 56,3 /h Medium speed  15,3 km/h
Max temp – Average temp – Min temp –
Highest altitude 413  m.a.s.l Lowest altitude  12 m.a.s.l Total elevation 418 m

See Yeah Later
// P-G

The Global Cyclist

By |2026-09-26T06:06:59+00:00September 22nd, 2026|General, Germany|0 Comments
Read More

Koblenz Next and a meeting with Timo from Finland

From September 19th to 21st, I’m staying at a campsite along the Moselle—located just under 4 km outside Koblenz, right by the river and perfectly positioned for continuing my bike ride. Koblenz boasts a stunning location, embraced by both the Rhine and Moselle rivers.

Before I c ycled tgo  my camp I stoped at a hotelbar with seats outside with a view over the square and in addition they had an electrical socket which I of course used.

Ordered a beer and a tomato soup which tasted amazingly yellowe square and in addition they had an electrical outlet which I of course used

Very tasty tgomato soap

The campsite spacious, though it falls just short of the one I visited near Potsdam. It offers all the essentials, including cooking and washing facilities, toilets, and showers, along with the added charm of an on-site bistro.

My tentplace no up there behinde motorhomes

I’m assigned to pitch 32, situated at the top of the area among the motorhomes, with convenient access to a charging point. Nearby, three or four tents are already set up. A neighbor named Timo, from Tampere, introduces himself, and we chat for a while—it’s always enjoyable meeting like-minded people.

Timo from Tampere in Finland

I get my tent pitched quickly, then head off to shower and change. Around 7 PM, I’m in the kitchen getting dinner ready.

Tomorrow, I plan to cycle into Koblenz for a city tour. The following day, I’ll continue along the Moselle River toward Senheim or Nehren, where I’ve noticed there are campsites nearby. I’m excited to ride along the Moselle River and through the Moselle Valley, especially after hearing so much about its stunning beauty.

By |2026-09-25T13:54:13+00:00September 21st, 2026|General|0 Comments
Read More

Fulda and wrong navigation in Gö.tzenhof

September 18

Tough climbs to Fulda

I set my mobile alarm for 5:30 AM. It is pitch black outside, and I feel a few drops of drizzle falling, so I hurry to pack up.

I carefully make my way down the mountain, taking a different route than the one I climbed yesterday. Once at the base, I cycle to a Netto store, where the bakery and café are open. There, I order a coffee and a roll filled with something savory and meat-like.

Before cycling out of town, I change into rain gear; the drizzle has picked up a bit. Navigating out of town is easy, but cycling isn’t. A diabolically long hill—nearly 7 km—nearly breaks me.

Around ten o’clock, I pedal into Vacha, only to find my grand plan thwarted by a closed route. After some impromptu cartography, I roll into a large park, where a towering man in green—who, thankfully, is made of stone—stands frozen in eternal pride.

I need a break and a water refill; my legs are feeling worn out. The sun has come out now, though, so the rain gear goes back into the bag.
The climbs are relentless; I have to struggle up several tough hills, and on top of that, I’m facing a headwind.

As the clock nears 1:00 PM, I start planning a coffee break. Eiterfeld will be my stop; I choose a roadside café and bakery.

I just buy a coffee and sit outside at one of the three available tables. I take out my cooler bag and help myself to sandwiches and eggs. Before setting off, I pop into the café to charge my phone while using the restroom.

Just as I’m about to pedal away, the young woman at the bakery surprises me with two soft, jam-filled cookies—completely free of charge. Naturally, it’s a moment worth capturing in a photo.

By the time I finally ride off, it has started to cloud over, but it doesn’t look like rain, so my rain gear stays packed away.
Approaching Götzenhof, my GPS cheerfully guides me straight onto a highway like it’s the scenic route. The chorus of honking cars and trucks quickly clues me in that I might be the main act in today’s traffic comedy.

Just before the exit, a police car with flashing lights and blaring sirens makes a dramatic entrance. After a stern lecture about my unintended highway performance, I blame my overconfident GPS. Mercifully, I’m sent on my way without a ticket—just a bruised ego.

After a bit of maneuvering, I find the bike path, which leads me to Fulda. I arrived there just after 4:30 PM. I stop in the city center for a beer, sit for half an hour, and map out the route to the campsite I’ve picked out.
It is located about 5 km outside the city.

It’s a public area belonging to a residential neighborhood, featuring green spaces, barbecue spots, tables, chairs, swings, and climbing frames for the kids.
I find a good spot near some bushes and close to the tables. It’s a pretty perfect place to camp.

Looks like a sleeing bear

View over Fulda from Schzenberg, my tentcamp place

Total distance 94,46 km Travel time 07:01 h.m Total time 11:02 h.m
Max speed 51,5 km/h Medium speed  13,5 km/h
Max temp – Average temp – Min temp –
Highest altitude  410 m.a.s.l Lowest altitude  214 m.a.s.l Total elevation 1054 m

See Yeah Later
// P-G
The Global Cyclist

By |2026-09-26T06:02:42+00:00September 19th, 2026|General, Germany|0 Comments
Read More

Tough cycling to Eisenach and my tentcamp was a tough choice

September 17
A tough bike ride to Eisenach

I wake up quite early, as usual, and linger in bed for a while. I decide to get up even though it’s only 6:00 a.m.; the sounds of the workmen moving about in the kitchen make it hard to stay put. Still, I suppose they have to move around—they have a job to do, after all.

I step into the shower and turn on the hot water; it feels wonderful and shakes off my morning grogginess. Then I prepare breakfast in the empty kitchen: muesli, yogurt, eggs, cheese sandwiches, and finally, coffee.

Just before 8:30 a.m., I’m on my bike, pedaling leisurely out of Erfurt. Seven kilometers later, I’ve left the city behind. I then enjoy a pleasant ride along a dedicated bike path—no pedestrians, dog walkers, or parents with strollers, just bicycles.

The ride to Gotha is rather dull—31 kilometers with not much to see. Six kilometers before Gotha, a completely flat, straight stretch lies ahead.

Shortly after 10:30 a.m., I cycle into Gotha; the weather is sunny, but it feels like autumn. I stop at the first outdoor café I come across—an “Asia Bistro”—and order a coffee while taking sandwiches out of my cooler bag.
There isn’t much to report about the day; the villages are mostly deserted and lack colorful houses to admire—they seem to lack soul.

I make several stops to rest and refill my water bottle. There are quite a few long, grueling, gradual climbs to tackle. Anyone claiming Germany is flat hasn’t cycled across the country—even though it is beautiful in many places.

I arrive in Eisenach around 2 p.m.; at first, I take a wrong turn and end up below the town center itself.

Cycling is prioritized much better in Germany than back home in Sweden.

I turn around and find my way into the middle of town. I frantically search for an outdoor café with a power outlet and finally find one.

I order a beer, followed by a cup of coffee. Then I sit and figure out the route to the campsite I’ve set my sights on. According to the map, it’s not a particularly long distance—just two or three kilometers. The first hundred meters are nothing special, but then…

First comes cobblestone and a steep climb through an area that, judging by the villas, seems exclusive.

The cobblestones end, but the hill continues; it just gets steeper and steeper. The GPS shows a gradient of 51 percent.
At first, I walk the bike for 25 meters before resting, but during the last hundred meters, I have to stop every ten meters.

Tougfh climbing up the hill

Finally, I reach the top, only to realize that the campsite I had pictured doesn’t actually exist; it was just a tip suggesting that camping was permitted up here.

Lsst hunderd meters I had to park my bicycle…- to steep

Naturally, I want to reach the very summit, but for the last hundred meters, I have to leave the bike behind and walk up on foot.

My tentcamp was OK and it was soft for my back

I make my way back down and walk the bike part of the way until I find a reasonably level spot to pitch my tent. The spot I’ve chosen is situated above some houses, but I’m fairly well sheltered by the beech forest.

I find a few concrete pillars, about half a meter high, that serve perfectly as a seat and a base for my camping stove. I eat dinner with a hearty appetite; the air around me is mild.

I fall asleep quite quickly, even though the podcast *USA-podden* is playing in my ears.

Total distance 65,56 km Travel time 04:28 h.m Total time 09:25 h.m
Max speed 43,4 km/h Medium speed  14,8 km/h
Max temp – Average temp – Min temp –
Highest altitude  403 m.a.s.l Lowest altitude  196 m.a.s.l Total elevation 493 m

See Yeah Later
// P-G

The Global Cyclist

By |2026-09-26T05:51:49+00:00September 17th, 2026|General, Germany|0 Comments
Read More

© Copyright 2017-2026 © TheGlobalCycling 1726

Go to Top