In the Summer of 2024, my friend Simone and I took our bikes on the ferry from Dover to Calais and started our adventure cycling in Europe for 2 weeks.
We first started from Basel, cycling to Lake Constance between Switzerland, Germany and Austria, and then from the lake to Strasbourg. We cycled 500 miles in 11 days, and did some sightseeing in 3.
I got my Wahoo lost/stolen on the way to Paris, Simone had a puncture in the Black Forest, we both got scratches from shrubs, some saddle sore, and were devoured by mosquitoes. But we also cycled along the Rhyne and the Danube (the latter, totally by accident!), and of course around Lake Constance, had great breaks in Basel and Strasbourg, conquered some hills (and walked others), ate beautiful food, and absolutely loved the scenery around us and our bikes.
Contents of this video:
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:27 Prep Day
00:03:14 Day off cycling in Basel
00:04:17 Cycling Day #1 out of 2 towards the Lake
00:09:37 Cycling Day #2 out of 2 towards the Lake
00:17:46 Cycling Day #1 out of 4 around the Lake
00:23:36 Cycling Day #2 out of 4 around the Lake
00:30:30 Cycling Day #3 out of 4 around the Lake
00:38:25 Cycling Day #4 out of 4 around the Lake
00:44:22 Cycling Day #1 out of 3 towards Strasbourg
00:52:10 Cycling Day #2 out of 3 towards Strasbourg
00:59:45 Cycling Day #3 out of 3 towards Strasbourg
01:03:35 Day off cycling in Strasbourg
01:05:49 Cycling Day #1 out of 2 towards to Calais
01:11:38 Cycling Day #2 out of 2 towards Calais
July 2024
[Music] [Music] Oh. [Music] Oh. Ooh. [Music] Oh, heat, [Music] heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] So this is us and we’re not stressed at all. How are you? Oh no, definitely not. And not wet either. No. Yeah. And as we were about to get wet in uh Basel here, I believe good morning. [Music] I am half asleep. [Music] Oh, there’s a sign for bikes. [Music] [Music] [Music] Wow. Woah. Woah. Woah. Woah. Oh. Oh. Woah. Woah. Woah. Wow. Wow. [Music] [Music] Wow. Woah. Wow. Wow. Wow. Woah. Woah. Woah. [Music] [Music] Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Oh. Woah. Woah. Woah. Woah. Bye. Switzerland. Welcome Germany. Good morning. We literally just crossed the border uh from Switzerland to Germany. And we didn’t expect to see anything because you usually don’t see anything in the in Europe, but here we are. It’s quite cool. So, this is officially day three for us. Uh yesterday was a no cycling day in Basil. Uh and it was well deserved because we had a really hectic day uh from day one which was just transit and now it’s a cycling all along. So, let’s see this beautiful place. This is the ride just along our rout. And we’re going to be around here for quite a while. Point to the river. I’m talking I’m talking to the camera. Starting again. We didn’t. Oh, really? Okay. Rolling. Talking to Ro. Okay. Rolling. We are now somewhere in Germany uh as I understand really really close to the river to to the right and if I understand our route correctly we kind of move back and forth between Switzerland and Germany because we are so close and depending where you are the route is more interesting or better in one country or the other. It’s quite cool. Anyway, very easy to navigate around here. I’m quite impressed and even though we are not in strictly cycling lanes at times, uh cars are very respectful. They give you all the time and all the space for you to carry your own. It’s really really cool. All right. But [Music] It’s adorable. I think we’re crossing a border again. It’s so [Music] lovely. It’s going to take us absolutely hours to get where we need to do to go because we stop everywhere. The places are absolutely stunning. [Music] This is quite a view and quite a sound. It’s very very cool experience. And that’s it. We are back again. [Music] [Music] Egypt. Mhm. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] Heat [Applause] up here. [Music] Gorgeous. So close. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Good morning. Here we go again. This is our second day of our route to the lake to Lake Constance. Um, yesterday was a lovely surprise. We did not expect to be such a beautiful ride. I’m hoping today is the same. Look at that. So cute. Um, that’s our day four in our European holiday, but the second day of cycling. So, ah, and it’s a scorching day. It’s going to get to 30, maybe more degrees. [Music] A cute huge feel the sunflowers behind us. Ah, my favorite flower. [Music] [Music] First set of hills of the [Music] day. Oh my god, we in Switzerland. Cookie popped. Second of all, there’s a Brazilian flag over there. I mean, what are the chances? [Music] [Music] Oh yes. Oh, look at that. Look at that. Heat up here. Heat. Heat. [Music] Oh god, it’s 32°. Ah, so lovely in the shade. [Music] What a beautiful place. We are back on the Swiss side of the Rine again. I keep swapping and I can’t keep track. We still being Germany. We’re finishing Germany. [Music] Are we happy now? Right. We did it. We probably not going to go back saying that we have swamped in the rind, but we have dipped our toes in the rind. Ready? Did you have fun? A dummy. Okay. Bye. Are you coming back? [Music] Hello. Hi. You are you [Music] majestic? Hi. [Music] [Music] We just got to the county of Coulson. Yay. We’re getting close to the lake. [Music] Look at the bridge. [Music] [Music] Oh. Oh, we’re in [Music] [Music] Germany. [Music] [Music] Another one. Lots of bikes. We’re leaning on to the [Music] right. If you didn’t know you on a farm before, you knew now. The [Music] smell. [Music] Morning. Morning. Right, we are off for to the to Lake Constance. This is our first day around Lake Constance. Uh we have left I’ll never get the the name right. Rado cell. Yeah, Rado Cell. um last night in scorching heat and then today and overnight we had rain and it’s quite fresh today. [Music] [Music] Looks nice over there. And it’s dark over [Music] here. Woo. [Music] So that means that side is Germany. [Music] Yeah, we are in Switzerland now. Yeah. So that little uh No, I lie. I lie. There’s more strips going inside Switzerland. So that side Switzerland as well. Okay. That side. Yeah. This is so pretty. It’s so cute. [Music] Somebody getting ready for a [Music] dip. There’s fish, too. It’s not cold. It is cold, but it’s not really cold. [Music] Ow. Berling. [Music] Berlingum. I really want to apologize to the Swiss Swiss people and the German people for my horrible spelling. I just can’t get over how cute. Look at [Music] this. Coming through. [Music] Hello. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Frozen [Music] yogurt. Right. This is interior. Heat. Heat. [Music] Will you come when I’m riding on the drive along behind a songird alone? Rolling off we are again back to the lake on our second day. Uh today we’re going to make we are in Switzerland territory now. We are going to get into Austria for the first time and then leave Austria and be finish in Germany in Lingown. There’s a chance of swimming there. But the weather’s not looking fantastic right now. So we will see what waits for us in there. We had an excellent excellent welcome yesterday in the guest house we stayed and it’s a short day today. Simone is is very very Simone is very excited about that. It’s a short and flat day. Flat flat flat. So basically we’re having a break. Do you want to tell them? Yeah. Come over. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. When she says short day, she means it’s 37 miles. And uh how much street caring? 32 325 ft is flat. It’s flat like a pancake. This is flat like Norolk was flat. Yeah. No, better. Much better. Much better than Norolk. Come on. Some people can’t be pleased. I’m loving this and I’m really loving Switzerland. I’m very impressed. There’s a marina here. Ah, wow. [Music] Lovely. [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Music] Heat. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Region mark. Oh yeah. All right. Oh, that’s the that’s the old [Music] um now we can say the views are alive. We don’t stay here too long though. We arrived in Austria to Austria today. We’re leaving Austria today. Ah! Boom! [Music] [Music] Heat. [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] Heat up here. [Music] Heat up Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Bye-bye, Lingal for us. We’re leaving Linga now, the island. That is going to be our day three on the lake. Second to last. And we have a little less easier ride than we did yesterday. And also the weather is a bit crap. The forecast is for storms all day. We had that before and there was no storm. So we’ve been optimistic. But in a way it’s actually quite good to be a bit refreshing. Beautiful island. More of the lake today. Looking forward to it. Right. You may not have noticed yet. Simone and I are twinsies today. Simone, come down. Hi, brain breezes. Twinsies today. That’s a brain breeze uniform. A girls on tour uniform. Yeah. [Music] like following an ocean. [Music] just scream. I cried in the ocean just to be a part of something this world like writing up a letter. You’ll never stand wearing an old sweater saying you just [Music] I’m too good for this. I’m too I’m not I’m going to get my way. [Music] Keeping every secret, everyone following your ego. I never say hanging on a moment. I’m finally letting go. Too good for this world. [Music] You never find anybody this [Music] world. I’m too good for this. I’m too Hello today. I’m going to get in my way. Sorry about [Music] this. I’m going to get my way. [Music] This statue is in Msburg is by the same artist who did Imperia for instance. I think his name is Peter L. I’m especially young. I’m done with my team. I’ve been on my tongue for some reason. Have I told you enough? Yeah. Have I told you enough of my secret? I’m officially done with my team. I’m officially done with my team. I’m officially done with my team. I’m officially done for some reason. [Music] Simone has just finally got into the lake. Tell us all tell us all. So refreshing. It was lovely. Absolutely tranquil, peaceful and just very very refreshing on a muggy day. And for this Brazilian here, way too cold. So, I didn’t do it. God, the mosquitoes love me. Where is the storm? I’m not [Music] safe. I’m going to get my church. What’s up with that hill? [Music] I’m too good for this. and bugs protein. I have to keep telling myself that because I eat bugs every day. Are they cautious? Right. I think we might be coming out of the lake now. Nice little town. I’m especially young here. [Music] Here we come. He one out of one. [Music] My I’m officially down with my I’m officially down for some reason. Oh, but wow. Look at this. hell. [Music] [Music] That’s three miles later. We made it. God knows [Music] how. I’m dying. But look at that. I think this is it. Right. I channelled Helen the whole way up. Woohoo. Helen, my hero. Good morning. Is it? Um, it’s very drizzly and dark. We’ve been promised something slightly different. Quite different. Um, but never mind. Yesterday we went we went up the hill, a killer one. Today we’re going down it. So, we’re looking forward to it at least. And breakfast, but we have a killer hill today. And then we are not looking forward to it. It’s a bit [Music] chilly now because we’re having problems with our break. We’re going down some really steep descents. And I’m not sure now if her brakes are not working or not or just not being strong enough for this. It is scary. It’s It is quite steep and one of them was gravel. So even more scary. But despite the weather, it’s quite a nice view. This morning, you want to tell all your experience you just had, right? It was horrifying. Okay. Traumatic experience. All I had were visions of me falling, sliding from underneath and rolling down a mountain. Oh, very optimistic. Oh, very positive. Every negative thought that went through my mind. Oo, a cafe. [Music] What a nice shame the weather is like that cuz it’s What a view. [Music] Do you think they are guided bride? Did you recognize the the back stopper in here? The killer here started only started. But look at that. The good views also only just [Music] started. Right. It’s mile 10.9 now. We hit the worst of it. It’s not over, but it’s the worst. The worst is over. Um, I’m glad I wasn’t recording because Simony has a very dirty mouth. Uh, we walked a mile more or less. No drinking water. It’s quite eerie here because there’s no other sound apart from birds. Now, a little bit of wind. the leaves of the trees moving every now and then and the sound of my tire on the ground. That’s it. There’s no other sound. It’s weird, but it’s [Music] beautiful. So, we just had an adventure and I feel like mine was all about the mosquito [Music] bites. There’s no what you can see. [Music] I have a twin of them. [Music] We are back in Constance where not where we started but on day one we were here and uh we’ll be soon coming out of the lake and that will be our journey around the lake finished. We have more to do. We going to Strasburg next but this is the lake done. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Possibly our last bit of lake. We’re soon coming out. And there is the end of our journey. Rambling. Love you. Morning. As you can see, no more lake. We are now on our way to France. So, we’re going to spend three days cycling through German countryside. And then on the third day we’re going to reach uh Strasburg. We did 4 days around the lake. Finished yesterday. Now we have three days in Strasburg where we’re going to take a little break and then a train to Liil and after that Khal to go back home. Good morning Simone. Good morning. It’s a little bit unsettling going through roundabouts when it’s not the right side of the lane you’re used to. Hello. Oh, yeah. There’s going to be a there’s going to be a park [Music] here. We don’t have an accident. I’m just resting. It’s not a really lovely place to rest, but that’s what I get. We are on the main road now. It’s a steady incline. It’s not really terribly heavy, but it’s 4 miles of it gets you. [Applause] [Music] And now going down. I’ve done about 2 miles without pedaling at all. Fun. Very good roads. [Music] We are turning when this bike is turning left and then we turn left. [Music] Oh my god. To the loop. What? No, we’re not going there, are we? We might have just crossed. Oh my god. [Music] This is stunning. It’s so [Music] peaceful. So, here’s a little story. I plan to get from the lake from Constance to Strasburg. I went on route planning sites, websites, apps say, “So, okay, I need to start from here and I need to finish here. What do you recommend?” Went with the recommendation, chopped it off in different days and off I went. Not knowing anything about the route, just guessing it’s decent enough. It turns out this route goes along the Danube and I didn’t plan for that. So I think you can imagine how happy I am with this happy coincidence. Look, you can even go to the water. Come [Music] here. Heat. Heat. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] This is the work of the mosquitoes so far. It’s so freaking [Music] itchy. Look at this. Look at the size of this monster. My [Music] arms. You can’t quite see, but they look like a sausage. So, Simone was planning to do the Danube ride uh starting starting from Austria. Austria. We just been there two days ago. Too true. Too true. I’ve ticked another box. I’m happy, happy, happy. [Music] Loving [Music] this. We just reached such miles now. We almost don’t want to finish anymore, do we? Is that a daoo? Hold Simone, people. She’s coming for your barbecue. [Music] [Applause] [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Applause] Well, what a lovely surprise just to find the source of the Danube. Not only we found the denoo on our route today that we had no idea we were going to go alone and also we found the source of it. The cycle it takes you to places. We were even planning to places where my bike takes [Music] me. This is probably the other way. Do you want to tell us which one is it? [Music] I’ll take that. [Music] Good morning. It’s a sunny day in Germany again. Uh we are on our second day uh cycling towards Strasburg. It’s uh after that it’s just one more day and then we need to rest because we’re not made of [Music] steel. It’s a little bit too much gear carried. Ah! [Music] [Music] I think it is very old. We are pretty confident we’re cycling along the black forest. That’s pretty cool, too. An insect crawling over me. I mean, I didn’t have enough bites, right? Let’s get a few more. [Music] No, first they two separate ones. It was a 1.6 Six mile long is over now. Second hill of the day. It’s very hot today. So it’s harder. Oh, I think it’s finished. Huh? Oh no. Oh, we were doing so well. [Music] [Music] [Music] Heat. It’s a bit scary here. Be [Music] careful. Oh [Music] dear. Not even I going on this. [Music] Oh, let’s [Music] look. I’m having a workout. My arms. This is where we get awesome water today from a nice little family in the middle of nowhere. Back on the route again in this beautiful miserable half an hour ago. I’m good again. Hey guys. Wow. Ah, a little bit of civilization. That was amazing, wasn’t it? That descent. Yeah. Wow. Stop. I didn’t even know we were that high. Me neither to be going that much [Music] down. Oh wow. How pretty. There’s a river. Good luck to touch. Sorry. Yeah, definitely something here. What the hell? Where does that come from? Um, this is training, isn’t it? Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] 5:00. [Music] Lovely, lovely little town. Be nice to come earlier. Yeah. Well, we’re here. We made it. On the dot. On the dot. Oh, how adorable. Look at this. Here we are at our destination. It is very cute. I’m very happy to be here, especially after the day we had. It was very adventurous. More than I like to take. Is he Is he here? Yes. We made it. Oh, what a day. Oh god. Definitely we need a drink tonight. [Music] First pit stop of the day, bike shop. Bike shop to get Simon’s new inner tube. And uh very tempting to buy some bags, but we didn’t. And I’m kind of regretting now, but never mind. And off we go. Good morning. This is the third day since we left the lake. It is the day we arrived in Strasburg and I’m loving it all, but I could do with the rest. So, I’m really looking forward to it. Supposedly, it’s an easy day. Uh, it’s not looking too great. As you can see, it’s very gray, but the forecast was not for that. So, let’s see what we get. And off we go. I am really looking forward to some rest in Strasburg and macarons. We are crossing over a river called Kingsig, which is one I didn’t know. And the background is the black forest where we were at yesterday. Say goodbye to it now. [Music] Wooden bridges apparently are very common around here. So it’s the third one I’ve seen this region. You can see the river down below. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] Bye [Music] guys. That is lovely. Oh, somebody swimming over there. Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] We are crossing the border now between Germany and France. And once on the other side, we’re going to be in Strasburg. And it’s [Music] windy. [Music] Let’s go. [Music] [Music] Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Hey, Heat. [Music] Heat. Heat. [Music] [Music] Good morning. Welcome to our 10th day of cycling. We are leaving Li. Didn’t get to uh enjoy Leo very much cuz we arrived last night by train. Another adventure. And today we have 54 miles which is not easy. It’s going to be 30° uh later in the days. Uh afternoons have been worse. Right now in the morning is actually quite nice. But um it is what it is. We are on our way to Kalair to go home to take the ferry back home. I’ve got to say I’m actually looking forward now cuz it’s a it’s long. It’s a lot of cycling. I love it. But wow. [Music] High high behind high high. [Music] They [Music] were sitting on the cloud. I like to be your son. Honey, I want to be your light. Laying on the bed, I like to be your love. Baby, just give me one more night. Oh, your body’s so sweet, like an ice cream in the summer day. Oh, your kiss is so thick. Don’t stop until I want to say you’re pretty sugar man in my life. I’m flying with you cuz I’m in love. Forget about the trles behind with you. I want to leave all behind. You pretty sugar in my [Music] life. Behind. [Music] Behind [Music] [Music] [Applause] [Music] high die. They have a Yes, I was going to say they have a barbecue right in the middle. I mean, what else do you want? We done 40 miles. Really? Yeah. It’s so much easier when it’s straight, isn’t it? When it’s flat. When it’s flat like this. Yeah. [Music] [Music] Sitting on a cloud. I like to be your sun. Honey, I want to be your light. Lying on the bed. I like to be your love. Baby, just give me one more night. Oh, your body is so sweet. Like an ice cream in the summer day. Oh. Oh. Your kiss is so deep. Don’t stop until I want to say you pretty sugar. We just finished five because it ends. Suddenly our route told us to keep walking in the route ahead and it’s absolutely impossible. We are full of cuts and bruises from the most horrible thorns, shrubs, everything you can imagine. It was impossible to walk. We have to turn around and go through all over again and come out. Now following Kumud, hopefully taking me to a safe route to a to the end of the day, which is so close. So close yet so far. [Music] Say good morning. Morning. Morning. Right. We had a day and a half yesterday. Um, let’s not talk about it anymore. It’s over and let’s hope it is over. Over. Really, really over cuz we can’t take this today. And today is the last day. We are cycling to Kair destination Kalair and to take the ferry back home. I love holidays and I love this one as well, but I also love going back home. Can’t wait to sleep in my bed. We don’t even need the the route to be preacher today, do we? We just need to go go. Oh, the road is closed. [Music] Drop it again. [Music] We did imagine color to be that nice, didn’t we? We in K now just trying to find our way into the terminal. That’s that’s the most interesting bit. I think it’s immense. [Music] passport control. So yeah, [Music] everywhere. Basil, Lake Conson, Strasburg, Le. Thank you. [Music] Simon, thank you for saving us. This is actually this this is the most important piece of this whole thing. [Music]