European Cycle Tour

This section contains a summary of my six-week, 4,000 km European cycle tour on my Brompton folding bicycle. Use the main menu to navigate, or jump to a page:

• The route
• The Brompton
• Equipment
• Charging devices
• Accommodation
• Weather
• Health
• Tour diary

Fast facts

• Distance cycled: 4,152 km
• Number of days: 43
• Average distance per day: 97 km
• Total height ascended: 21,203 m
• Punctures: One
• Weight of bike and luggage: 35kg
• Weight  lost: 9kg (1½ stone)
• Scariest part: Cycling over the bridge at Saint Nazaire
• Favourite towns: Münster, Landshut, Besançon,  Nantes, Rennes
• Favourite cycling: The 25 miles of Le Doubs river to the East of Besançon
• Time taken to ascend Box Hill with fully laden bike after cycling the 100km from Portsmouth: 10mins 43 sec

How was it?

Great. Really enjoyable. Challenging at times, but all challenges were overcome and the trip was a great success. I saw lots of beautiful scenery and towns, met lots of interesting people, ate and drank my way through Germany and France, and had lots of fun simply cycling through the countryside.

Why do it?

Why not? I like cycling.

Why do it on a Brompton?

Lots of people noticed the Brompton has small wheels and a small frame and lots of people thought that makes it somehow unsuitable, hard work or fragile, but I had no issues and was very happy with its performance.

It’s diminutive proportions don’t make it less of a bike. As this trip has proven, it’s more than capable of touring duties and can also fold up quite neatly too. If anything I’d say it’s more of a bike.

I figured if I wanted to catch a train or check into a hotel it would also be a lot easier with a bike that folds, and it’s also a nice conversation starter.

Thanks

A big thank you to my family and friends for their support and encouragement, and also to work for letting me have the time off to do this.

Special thanks to Pete and Lucy in Witham, Kim, Martin, Max, Alexander and Oliver in Oberahrain, Hilla and Greg in Munich, and Adrien and Ai in Besaçon for being super hosts.

And also thanks to everyone who is taking time out to read my site and blog. It’s much appreciated 🙂

If this encourages anyone into cycling, or helps anyone with planning their own adventure it would make me really happy – so if this applies to you, get in touch and let me know – I’d love to hear about it.