初めての海外自転車旅【ドイツ】（序）。トイレを見つけるぞ！BROMPTONで巡るマイン川

自転車旅動画です。場所は、南ドイツ・マイン川サイクリングロード。乗る自転車はBROMPTON。おりたたみ自転車です。
爽快で走りやすい道です。街と街の間にあるのは自然だけ。コンビニはもちろん、トイレすらありません。日本の環境に比べれば、確かに不便です。でも豊かな気がします。何もないからこそ、自然は美しく、そこで得られる体験や知恵も濃密に思えます。

この動画は、2泊3日の旅の、初日を切り抜いたものです。街全体が世界遺産に登録されている古都バンベルクや幾つかの街を普通に観光した後に、そのバンベルクからシュバインフルトまでを夫婦で自転車を使って旅をしました。観光地は美しく、素晴らしい景色を見ることができ、それは満足しています。しかしながら、その観光地と観光地の間を自転車で走ることで、観光地で得られるものとは全く異なる素敵な経験ができるとも思っています。
その特別な景色がどんなものかを伝えたくて、自分としては少し長めの映像を作ってみました。また、道中の買い物の仕方やトイレ探しなどの小ネタなども挟んでみました。
この映像が、海外自転車旅や、ドイツ自転車旅に興味を持っていただくきっかけになったり、はたまた、実際に旅行を検討している方にとって少しでも参考になれば、とても嬉しいです。

This is a video of a bicycle journey along the Main River Cycling Route in southern Germany.
The bike I’m riding is a **Brompton** — a folding bicycle.

The path is smooth and exhilarating to ride. Between towns, there’s nothing but nature. No convenience stores, not even public restrooms. Compared to Japan, it’s certainly less convenient — but it feels richer in a different way. Precisely because there’s “nothing,” the beauty of nature stands out, and the experiences and insights you gain there feel all the more profound.

This video captures the **first day** of a **three-day, two-night** trip.
After visiting and sightseeing in a few towns, including **Bamberg**, an old city that’s registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, my wife and I began our cycling journey from Bamberg to Schweinfurt. The tourist spots were beautiful and satisfying to explore, but I also believe that riding a bike between those destinations offers a completely different and equally wonderful kind of experience.

To share a glimpse of that unique scenery, I created this slightly longer video than usual. I’ve also included some small moments — like how we shopped along the way or searched for restrooms.

I hope this video inspires you to take an overseas bike trip or a cycling adventure in Germany — or, if you’re already planning one, that it serves as a helpful reference in some way.

#brompton #ブロンプトン #自転車旅 #ドイツ #マイン川

Traveling Through Germany on a Folding Bike Whether it’s in your own country or overseas, just adding a bicycle to your trip can change the way you see the world. Instead of a suitcase, I brought my folding bike — a BROMPTON — and rode across Germany. From Bamberg to Würzburg,
a relaxed three-day journey covering 155 kilometers. July 2025, 5:00 AM. Free from schedules, riding far into the countryside. That’s the freedom a bicycle gives you. Bamberg, an old town registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cityscape is breathtakingly beautiful. Just seeing it is deeply satisfying. But between the tourist spots,
there are entirely different, richer landscapes waiting. Those roads leave unforgettable memories
and teach you something special. Grab lunch at a popular bakery, and we’re off! “Little Venice District.” Germany drives on the right. “We’re following the GPS.” “But I’m not good with it, and got lost.” In Germany, roads are well-separated for cars, bikes, and pedestrians —
safe and easy to ride. The roads connecting towns
have no toilets or convenience stores. But in exchange, the nature is stunning. Rivers flowing richly. “Ah, I need to buy some water.” Water is expensive in Germany.
At the hotel, 500ml cost 8 euros!
If you spot a supermarket, stock up. 1.5L for 1.5 euros — that’s more like it. A train runs alongside us,
a reassuring option in case we need to pack up and ride. The forecast says cloudy with occasional rain. The sky looks suspicious. We rush to a lake for our lunch break. Just as we lay out the picnic sheet —
huge drops of rain. You can’t control the weather.
We find shelter under a roof,
waiting for the rain to pass. Even in the rain, Bamberg’s bread is delicious. sigh (Oh well…) More rain. Under a tree in a park, we stand, lost for options. And… I need a toilet. We move while the rain lightens. “This town has such charming timber-framed buildings.” The pressing toilet issue — it’s best to check locations in advance via GPS. Still, it’s not always that simple. In urgent times, aim for one of the following:
1. Large churches
2. Tourist information centers
3. Cafes
4. Parks or campsites This time, we found a toilet at a church. They’re always clean. So grateful. The rain stops. Wheat fields, vineyards — it’d be so refreshing under the sun. But even the smell of rain leaves a deep memory. We pedal on damp asphalt toward the next town. Time for a café break. A colorful town,
a small café,
a perfect cup of coffee. “That apricot cake looks amazing. Wait, what’s apricot again?” “… (It’s anzu.) Also, I’m really tired of the rain now.” “Well done today. Though there’s still 20km left.” “20km? That’s manageable.” “Nice! Your training paid off. You really pushed through.” “But that headwind…” “Yeah, headwinds are brutal.” “Let’s try this apricot cake. I might do a food review like a YouTuber.” “Just from the look of it… not quite!” “Whoa, it’s insanely good!” “…” “Okay, I’m not cut out for talking on camera. No food reviews for me.” “Folding and locking the Brompton makes me feel secure.” “Totally.” “Still, bike theft is common. Gotta stay alert.” “Alright, time to move on.” We refuel and set our sights on Schweinfurt. A riverside campsite.
Biking and camping — sounds like a dream. The blue sky peeks through. A gentle wind begins to blow. And the sky
starts to feel lighter, higher, and more open. Even when the road stretches endlessly to the horizon, our spirits — and pedaling — feel lighter. The weather changes — that’s part of the fun. Almost there. The only sound is the soft rustling of wheat heads in the breeze. About 10km left. We ride smoothly. One last break on an old bench — a luxurious 15 minutes, quietly watching the drifting clouds. Final push. We see Schweinfurt, today’s goal, up ahead. “We made it.” “A small city feels so big right now.” “We rode 65km today.” And that 65 kilometers gave us unforgettable memories.