Trek through Europe: 2008

Well hello there! Thanks for stopping by. :) I'll be keeping track of my bike trip through Europe here, as well as posting journals and photos during the actual trip.

Now, on to business. I have two possible routes planned. Both take me through the same countries, one is simply longer than the other. Which one I take will depend entirely on funds. This trip will be taken in June of 2008, and again, how many weeks long it will be is undecided.

These are the two routes I'm looking at taking. The one in blue is my preferred, longer choice. Either way I will start on Poland (Krakow) and go through Ukraine, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, France, England, Netherlands, Germany, and then end up back in Krakow where I started. The countries are listed in the order I will be visting them.

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v85/ibimus/EuropeRoute.png[/IMG]

This entire tripe will be done on bike. I will be staying in a combination of hostels and campgrounds throughout Europe. Everything Ineed will be carried in panniers, attched to my bike. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't go.

I am currently planning to take this trip alone. However, if a friend would like to come along, you're absoutely welcome, under the condition that the route doesn't change, and you're very willing to cycle anywhere from 60-100 miles a day, camp, and keep in mind that while I plan to stay in a hostel at least one time a week to get a proper bed, breakfast, and shower, much of the trip will be "roughing it" If you're not comfortable camping, probably not getting a hot shower everday (I doubt a daily shower at any temperature will be possible.), and cooking many meals over a campfire using locally fund ingredients, then this trip is probably not your cup of tea. However, if you're willing to give up our usual daily luxuries, and see the world as it's truely meant to be seen, email me, and we'll talk!
I do plan to do sightseeing. Cities like Krakow, Rome, Berlin, Paris, and London (and the others) have so much to offer, but the only way to get to those cities is to pedal hard!

Well, this trip is still in the very early stages of planning, so expect many more updates and changes in the near future. Also look for the packing list, which should be posted next.