Cycling Through East Germany – Rain, Beer & History | Bikepacking Europe Ep. 5

After riding over 1600 km through Italy, Slovenia, Austria, and the Czech Republic, I entered Germany via the Elbe River — quiet border, no flag, just the road ahead. In this episode, I follow the legendary Elberadweg through Saxony’s stunning landscapes, camp by the river, ride through rain and rural roads, and take a deep breath in historic Dresden.

From cozy campsites to cold beers and heavy thunderstorms, this leg of the journey reminded me why I love long-distance cycling: every day is different. I visited the Terezín Memorial, pedaled past kayakers, and rolled into Hamburg before catching a train north and riding into Denmark.

☔ Tired, wet, but grateful — I covered 620 km in 4 days. My reward? A warm guesthouse, a burger, and a local beer by the Elbe.
If you’re into real travel, bikepacking stories, local food, and culture — hit that like button and subscribe to follow the ride.

www.instagram.com/elvarorn76
https://www.komoot.com/user/807843559090
https://www.strava.com/athletes/171444

My equipment:
Trek Checkpoint SL6 with Ultegra DI2 upgrade
Specialized Pathfinder tyres

Bags:
Tailfin AeroPack 20L
Tailfin Mini Paniers 2x 5L
Bontrager Adventure Framebag 5L
Apidura Expedition Handlebar bag 14L
Ortlieb Ultamate 6 Handlebar Bag 6L
Apidura Expedition Top tube bag 1.2L

Navigation, Photo and Electric
Gopro Hero 11
Samsung Galaxy S23
Quadlock phone mount with wireless charger

Camping:
Big Agnes Cupper spur UL 1
Exped Ultra 3R LW
Mountain Equipment Olympus 300 Long sleeping bag
Helinox zero chair

Planing
Komoot

#BikepackingGermany #CyclingEurope #Elberadweg #GravelBikeAdventure #BikeTouring #EastGermany #DresdenByBike #EuroVelo7 #TravelByBike #ElbeRiver #AdventureCycling #CycleTouring #BikeVlog #NomadCyclin

i’m cycling 3,000 km from Bolognia to Copenhagen cycling through six countries follow me as I find freedom on the bike after leaving Prague I followed the gentle flow of the Voltava River north crossing into Germany I barely noticed the border there was no German flag just a small Czech flag on the post i later learned that in Germany national flags are rarely displayed casually it’s a cultural legacy of the past i found a cozy campsite by the Ela nestled between towering sandstone cliffs that evening I treated myself to a juicy burger and a cold German beer at a riverside restaurant it was simple but perfect [Music] the next morning I continued along the Elberadwick the famous LB cycle route this part of Saxony is pure magic jagged rocks charming little villages and elegant old bridges stretching over the wide river a peaceful rhythm set in pedal pause admire repeat by the time I reached Dresden dark clouds gathered it began to rain but I didn’t mind the air felt fresh and I was recharged from my rest days in Prague i rode on narrow country roads old farm paths and gravel stretches occasionally following old railway lines that once carried people through the heart of East Germany each night I found a new place to rest one memorable night right along the riverbank in a beautiful campsite shrouded in mist and quiet i pushed on through northern Germany a flat open landscape where the kilometers pass quickly under my wheels by day 17 the rain was unrelenting i took shelter in a guest house dried off and watched the storm pass outside while sipping a hot drink i knew I needed the rest the next day I cycled toward Hamburg before taking the train to Finsburg in the north i was a bit sad to ride through Germany so quickly it’s a country rich in contrasts old and new reserved and wild and I only scratched the surface but I was also filled with excitement in just 4 days and 620 km I reached the Danish border denmark was calling and so were familiar faces a moment I had looked forward to since day one and I’d reunite with a good friend my wife would join me there but that’s a story for the next episode thanks for riding with me if you enjoy this journey don’t forget to like subscribe and follow my next adventures as I continue north through Europe