Ride Routes: Germany, Austria, Czech area

[mdeeds71]

I am going on a vacation to the Prague, Czech Rep. to see Coldplay in concert in my wife's home country. We plan on doing some driving and stops enroute from Frankfurt or Munich. I am taking a my newly built up IF Crown Jewel (a forum member purchase) S&S coupled with me. The idea is we are renting a BMW 1 series and will select loops or routes along our way for me to ride while she eat/drinks/supports me. Although the main concept is the sights, I am planning about 4-5 good rides 2-4 hours in length.

So I am looking for routes for these areas: Southern Germany from Frankfurt or Munich, German/Swiss/Italy boarder region, Austria, and Czech Repl. If you look on a map and make a route via auto looping the same regions to Prague that will be the route...thus the rides in/around that area.

I will have a Garmin 800 with me thus...at least...some guidance. Thanks in advance.

In another thread I will be looking for similar in other areas due to my job as an airline pilot...I plan on taking the bike with me onto the flight deck since it fits after the retrofit. Will be looking at Amsterdam, Hamburg, Oslo, Berlin, Stuttgart, Madrid, Lisbon, Barcelona, Stockholm, Strattford upon Avon, Dublin, Glasgow, Edinburough.

[jpw]

Romantische Strasse

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romantic_Road

[cnighbor1]

do a web search for above than type in area you want to ride
bormia italy great place to do stevio, motorlo, gavin (SP)
virtual alps has photos of all rides in all europe
go to bicycle touring companies in europe and see what they offer in way of rides Just do the rides don't pay for theer services
geneva is close to a lot of tour de france routes
Switzerland tourisum web site has all rides in that country so does austria so does germany

Thier are great maps for europe roads they show even very used roads Buy and ride those
But 1st taKE WITH YOU
cHARLES

[dustyrider]

The real question is why the BMW 1 series and not the M series?
I mean you've got a coupled bike, an M3 coupe and IF would combine for the perfect Euro experience. ;)


I'm green with envy, sounds like fun!

[axel23]

Just got back from southern Germany and Austria. The area around Kufstein has amazing roads, challenging climbs, and is extremely bike friendly. The little village of Oberaudorf has first rate bike shops who can help you with routes.

PM me if you need more info.

[sandyrs]

you could ride the loop from this year's Rund um den Finanzplatz Eschborn-Frankfurt. it's mostly in the (beautiful) taunus mountains outside the cities and includes a crushing climb that reaches 26% (about 5,000 feet total!). it also goes right by where i worked/lived last summer so it's dear to my heart. i don't know the exact route but the wikipedia is here and might be a good place to start if you're interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eschborn-Frankfurt_City_Loop

[goonster]

So I am looking for routes for these areas: Southern Germany from Frankfurt or Munich, German/Swiss/Italy boarder region, Austria, and Czech Repl. If you look on a map and make a route via auto looping the same regions to Prague that will be the route...thus the rides in/around that area.

It all depends on how much time you are willing to spend, but if your main objective is driving to/from Prague, then certainly Switzerland and Italy, but even Austria, are pretty far out of your way. You'll be doing more driving on highways than anything else.

I would recommend flying into Munich. There are fewer direct flights there from the U.S., but it is closer to your destinations, and offers slightly more scenic options, imho.

One place that would be directly on your route, and is tailor-made for 2-4 hr bike ride is the "Frankische Schweiz" region east of Bamberg. Bamberg itself is also worth a visit, and even a night's stay if you have the time and like beer.

http://www.burkhardt-sollenberg.de/ferienwohnung/fraenkische_schweiz.jpg

If you are looking for a detour that is further afield, head toward Salzburg and Berchtesgaden, and you will get as much a taste of the Alps as can be had in Germany. ;)

(I'm sure there are some worthy destinations in the Czech Rep., but I'm not personally familiar with that area.)

[deanster]

How much time do you have?
I agree with the previous post on flying into Munich and going down to Salzburg. You can see about renting a bike and making a tour of the City. Your wife will really like that.
From there you could spend a couple of days to the south east in the lake country of Upper Austria, in the Bad Ischl, Haltensee (stay in Halstatt), and Traunsee. You can ride around some of the Lakes in the area (recommend Haltensee). From there head north and east toward Prague. Check with some bike stores in Prague for good riding in that area.
Find some rides in Austria and CR. Recomment Google earth to see what some of the areas look like. Take care and use the main Autobahns to make up long distances. Small back roads can add greatly to your time of travel.
In the Saltzburg area you can get a taste of Alpine riding on some 8 to 12% roads. Make sure you are geared appropriately.
Save the Alpes for another trip when you can spend time in the Trentino/Alto Adige/ Sudtirol of Italy for the classic passes: Stelvio, gavia, gardena, fedaia, etc etc etc. Enjoy and let us know how it went.
I spent my vacation the last 2 summers touring around the alps: Austria, Slovenia, Italy (Dolomites), CH, and Germany. I used a Ritchey Breakaway Cross bike and carried folding XC tires for some dirt trails. Be wise about your tires Limestone breaks sharp and easily cuts light tires. I used a heavier road tire Continental Contact 28 (no flats).

[Germany_chris]

Romantische Strasse

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romantic_Road

Thats the route I would not take the bike..there are too many cars looking at the sights and not the road..

[LouDeeter]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leipzigpost/3621136951/

Above is a picture of a great place to stay at least one night. It is a brewery and cooking school in the small town of Friedenfels, near the Czech border in NE Bavaria. Hilly area that is great for cycling as well. I would second the Romantic road, starting in Wurzburg and riding to Rothenburg ab der Tauber. That is an easy ride and you can either follow the river for most of the route on bike paths or be adventurous and get on the road. Just watch out for wet manure on the roads this time of year as the honey wagons will be doing their thing in the fields!

[Germany_chris]

If you do pass through Rothenburg ab der Tauber let me know. I'll pick up the beer tab being that you'll be 20 miles from my doorstep.

[jpw]

Thats the route I would not take the bike..there are too many cars looking at the sights and not the road..

There are cycle paths.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=romantische+strasse&start=91&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=673&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=oBXUkFaKaolJhM:&imgrefurl=http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fil:Romantische_Strasse_Fahrradweg_Beschilderung.j pg&docid=WaxVDBxXsdygKM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Romantische_Strasse_Fahrradweg_Beschilderung.jpg&w=1675&h=1816&ei=JESyT8-EC4XV0QWhrMWZCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=438&vpy=200&dur=2501&hovh=234&hovw=216&tx=155&ty=96&sig=112688777303321014482&page=6&tbnh=160&tbnw=148&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:13,s:91,i:33

[Germany_chris]

There are cycle paths.

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=romantische+strasse&start=91&hl=en&biw=1024&bih=673&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=oBXUkFaKaolJhM:&imgrefurl=http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fil:Romantische_Strasse_Fahrradweg_Beschilderung.j pg&docid=WaxVDBxXsdygKM&imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/71/Romantische_Strasse_Fahrradweg_Beschilderung.jpg&w=1675&h=1816&ei=JESyT8-EC4XV0QWhrMWZCQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=438&vpy=200&dur=2501&hovh=234&hovw=216&tx=155&ty=96&sig=112688777303321014482&page=6&tbnh=160&tbnw=148&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:13,s:91,i:33

There are, just like everywhere..but not down the whole route if I recall.

It really is a pretty drive and it would make a wonderful 2 day trip Munich to Garmish taking the slow lane the whole way...

There is a nice cheese maker right on the road there, I can't think of name but the coffee is great and the cheese is divine.