Trekking bike tips for the long-distance bike racers

How do I pack correctly?

Less is more. If you are travelling in the European summer, you can get by with a maximum of 10 kilos of luggage. In addition to cycling clothing, good weather protection is a must. Modern, high-quality materials save an enormous amount of weight here. The same applies to tools. A small emergency kit is usually sufficient to cover the distance to the nearest workshop. A tried and tested Packing list can be found on our website.

Avoid stress!

Big cities or busy roads are stressful for any cyclist. A shuttle is often a more relaxed way to get around. Enquire locally about bus or train connections into the city or ask a taxi driver. By the sea or on large rivers, there are also ferry connections to bridge partial stages.
Or ask at your accommodation whether they can shuttle you part of the way.

Which bike?

Some cycle routes in Europe are pretty rough. Gravel tracks and potholes are not uncommon. A robust touring bike is therefore a must. As before 26-inch wheels is a good choice here. The smaller diameter of the wheels increases their stability, while thicker tyres offer more rolling comfort. In addition, it is easier to get spare parts in an emergency. Last but not least, the compact wheel size also makes it easier to handle when travelling by plane or car. The most important component on a touring bike is the pannier rack. The Tubus models have proved their worth here. Click here for the test: 26-inch wheels

Digital helpers

Digital maps and travel guides on smartphones or tablets are now replacing heavy travel literature. For finding accommodation or restaurants while travelling, apps such as Bed + Bike, Tripadvisor, airbnb etc.
To be able to access them at any time and save on roaming charges, we recommend a European data flat rate from your mobile phone provider, e.g. Telekom Travel & Surf, 5 Euro

Back by aeroplane

If you want to travel back from your destination by plane, you can make your bike suitable for the flight with simple aids on site. However, it is best to clarify at the airport before departure whether the airline requires packaging and what exactly this should look like. A bicycle box, which you can obtain from a local bike shop, and some adhesive tape are usually sufficient.
How to pack your bike correctly

In our 16-page special "Discover Europe" we present the most beautiful long-distance routes through Europe. We have researched them ourselves and recorded them using GPS.