Feb 24 2008
North Sea Cycle Route
The other day I was reading up on bike touring and came across the official site for the North Sea Cycle Route. I immediately knew I wanted to do this. From this page:
The North Sea Cycle Route is a 6.000 km chain of exciting experiences waiting for the cycling tourist.
You will explore an immense variety of scenery in eight different countries: cities, charming towns, villages, countryside from mountains to below sea level! The route takes you through coastal areas with sandy beaches and cliffs, but also inland through woods and past traditional farmhouses.
There is no need to worry about finding your way back, you may simply continue cycling and end up where you started or use one of the many ferry links to get back home. A dark blue bicycle on a light blue background, the logo of the route, is your guiding star, but please follow the local and national signing. Before you pack your cycle bags, please use the planning tools offered at this web site and create your own cycle guide.
The route is part of the larger EuroVelo Cycle Route Network, which aims to create 12 long-distance cycling routes through Europe totaling more than 60′000km. It amazes me what’s going on here, and I dream of such organization of a cycling network back home.
Yesterday I went for a bike ride up to the Gäbris in the Alpstein. I received many funny looks, which I assume came from the way I was dressed. Is it so unusual to be wearing shorts and a cycling jersey in mid February? On the way up I was passed by an elderly gentleman on a mountain bike who I guessed was in his mid 60s. The guy was in good shape and it was encouraging to see. I’ll be blessed to be half as fit as him when I reach his age.
