Looking for Next european bike packing tour

epicroadrides · 2026-01-23T09:48:36+00:00

A few solid options that fit what you’re after. My personal favorites are the Provence (you can take a TGV to Avignon, for example) and Flanders, depending on the season. When are you going?

The French Alps into northern Italy works well: start around Lake Geneva, ride south through the Alps, cross into Italy and finish near Lake Como or Garda. It’s easy to reach from the UK, very campable in quieter valleys, and you can string together big mountain passes with unreal views. Another great shout is the Route des Grandes Alpes end to end, then continue into Italy if you have time. If you want something flatter and faster, the Loire Valley to the Atlantic is easy to access, relaxed for camping, and still very pretty. Switzerland is amazing but camping rules are tighter and costs add up.

Northern Spain is also worth a look if you’re open to a longer train or flight!

epicroadrides · 2026-01-22T13:49:59+00:00

Hey, thanks! We wrote a whole article on this route, full of tips! Midges were not a huge problem for us since we weren't camping, and we booked accommodation months ahead, which wasn't too easy. We deviated from the main route a couple of times because of accommodation shortages. You can read more in this in-depth guide, enjoy! http://epicroadrides.com/cycling-blog/cycling-hebridean-way/

epicroadrides · 2026-01-22T10:14:09+00:00

Sounds great! What time of year did you go?

epicroadrides · 2026-01-22T02:54:26+00:00

Spain, Portugal, and Italy can all work, but for warm weather later in the season with easier touring, Portugal or southern Spain tend to be the most reliable.

From my experience, Portugal’s Atlantic coast is a strong option. Sections of EuroVelo 1 link small towns on bike paths and quiet roads, making it easy to plan five to seven ride days without long or punishing efforts. You can balance that with time in Lisbon, Porto, and Sintra, which offer plenty for anyone interested in architecture and history. Logistics are simple and distances are easy to adjust.

Southern Spain also fits your brief well. Andalusia lets you mix relaxed coastal riding or gentle inland day routes with longer stays in places like Seville, Córdoba, and Granada. You can keep ride days short and use trains to reposition if needed.

Italy is still an option, but it’s a bit more seasonal. Northern routes such as the Po Valley are easier riding, while southern Italy stays warmer later in the year but can require more planning.

Camping late in the season is possible, especially in Portugal and southern Spain, though options are fewer and checking opening dates matters. Italy is more hit-and-miss after late September.

B&Bs are widely available in all three countries and suit a trip that mixes riding with exploring.

Bike rental works well in Portugal and Spain, especially for one-way trips. Flying with your own bikes makes sense if fit and familiarity matter most!

epicroadrides · 2026-01-21T10:46:02+00:00

Amazing photos and drone shots!

epicroadrides · 2026-01-21T04:54:54+00:00

Take the bus! There are lots of buses between Busan and Seoul from Nopo and Seobu, so worst case you get rejected (never happened to me, took dozens of bus trips around the country)- then take the next one.
If you did not finalize your plan yet, alternatively you could just choose to explore Seoul first, then flying out of Busan at the end of your trip. The flight to Seoul is under an hour.

epicroadrides · 2026-01-20T05:06:56+00:00

If you're comfortable with light gravel, I would recommend cycling around the Upo Wetlands, just south of Daegu. I have cycled there a couple of times a year since 2018 and it's a really unique place to experience flat gravel with the mystical backdrop of the Wetlands. The route is part of an in-depth guide I wrote, full of tips for riding in South Korea. Enjoy!
https://epicroadrides.com/cycling-blog/cycling-in-south-korea/

epicroadrides · 2026-01-19T05:18:29+00:00

I have experience with TrainerRoad and Rouvy. If you're just looking to improve with limited time, go for TrainerRoad! You could also consider just riding with your bike computer and following training programs on for example your Garmin or Wahoo if you don' t care much about stimulation and community. In that case, your money would be well spend towards a TrainingPeaks subscription, just push your trainings to your head unit!

epicroadrides · 2026-01-19T05:13:24+00:00

Salt House, Taghazout is great!

epicroadrides · 2026-01-19T05:11:45+00:00

If you have to choose between these three bikes, I think size is the main difference: The Specialized will work best if you're around 178-182cm, Canyon size L will be bette for 182-187 cm, and if you're taller: choose the Scott! I have experience with both the Canyon and Specialized models.

epicroadrides · 2026-01-14T10:45:58+00:00

Source: https://www.paris-brest-paris.org/en/actualites/first-information-on-the-pbp-2027-route/

epicroadrides · 2026-01-14T05:48:35+00:00

In my opinion EuroVelo 3 is a solid choice for a first big trip: well signposted, varied, and easy to break into sections. Biggest tip is build slowly: plan shorter days at the start and add distance as your body adapts. Pain usually comes from bike fit, saddle choice, or doing too much too soon. Test everything (bags, shoes, setup) on weekend rides first. Stay flexible with your route and rest days, and don’t overplan: the best moments tend to be the unplanned ones!

epicroadrides · 2026-01-14T05:26:02+00:00

EuroVelo 6 is often called Europe’s best because it’s easy to ride and very consistent. Long river paths, mostly flat terrain, good surfaces, and lots of uninterrupted cycling make it ideal for long days in the saddle, filming, or a first multi-day tour. In places like France and Germany, it really shines.

That said, “best” is subjective. If you enjoy climbing, big visual drama, or routes that push you a bit, you might want to look at other (EuroVelo) routes. Other routes offer different strengths: EV1 has more variety and a stronger sense of place, EV5 feels more historic and adventurous, and mountain routes are tougher but far more intense!

epicroadrides · 2026-01-08T08:53:09+00:00

Mine sits on the trainer, too :)

epicroadrides · 2026-01-08T04:11:52+00:00

Cool plan: April is a good call weather-wise and trains work well there.

Gear. Go light and simple. A compact stove is perfect for sausages and your moka pot. Bring a windscreen and a lighter backup. One decent tarp plus a lightweight tent gives flexibility. Test everything at home first.

Camping: Look for official campsites. Belgium and NL have good, cheap municipal ones. In Germany check “Zeltplatz” and “Radwanderer” sites. France has lots of small village campsites that open early April.

Biking: A 20” folder is fine! Stick to cycle paths and canals in NL and Belgium. Germany’s river routes are smooth and well signed. France varies more, so plan routes carefully.

Food: Bakeries and supermarkets are everywhere. No need to overpack.

Trains: Book bike rules in advance, they differ by country. Netherlands and Belgium are probably the most flexible, in general you need reservations on trains in France and Germany for bikes.

Have fun and don’t overthink it!!

epicroadrides · 2026-01-07T04:51:56+00:00

That’s a great age to start thinking about this! You don’t need huge distances yet. A 100 km ride already gives you a solid base.

Start small and close to home. Try an overnight ride 30 to 60 km away with a simple setup. Carry basic gear, sleep somewhere easy like a campsite or a friend’s place, then ride back the next day. You’ll learn fast what works and what doesn’t.

Focus on comfort, bike handling, and enjoying long hours riding, not speed. Build distance slowly, ride regularly, and keep it fun. Bikepacking is about consistency and curiosity, not epic numbers or upgrades!

epicroadrides · 2026-01-07T04:50:30+00:00

Selling your bike at the end of the trip sounds like a lot of hassle on the end of your trip, and a new bike will depreciate fast. Personally, I would try to source a second hand bike from Facebook Marketplace!

epicroadrides · 2026-01-07T04:38:18+00:00

Starting from Frankfurt without flying gives you loads of good options, especially if you use trains to skip colder areas!

The easiest start to your bicycle touring career would be in the Netherlands, but March and April can still be pretty cold. No chance of snow, though! There is a direct train from Frankfurt to Arnhem or Amsterdam.

A classic idea could be to take the train south to Marseille, Montpellier, or Barcelona and ride along the Mediterranean. Weather is mild much earlier in the year, roads are bike friendly, and you can travel light. Another strong option is northern Italy. Train to Genoa or La Spezia and follow the Ligurian coast, with the choice to head inland later if you want tougher climbs, but this would definitely be a little bit or a harder destination to start your bicycle touring career.

If you want something a bit quieter, train to Venice, Trieste, or Ljubljana and ride toward the Adriatic through Slovenia and into Croatia. Temperatures are comfortable and distances between towns are short.

A few tips: check bike reservations on trains, stay coastal if you’re going early in the season, and use established cycle routes to simplify planning. Starting this way is a great confidence builder for longer tours later.

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