Frankfurt to Istanbul by Bicycle
The plan is to meet up in Nierstein, a village south of Frankfurt no later than June 9th 2014 and set off along the Rhein on June 10th.
Our starting point is the Villa Spiegelberg, an exclusive hotel in the famous wine village Nierstein (the Riesling City in Germany). It is about 30 minutes away from the Frankfurt Airport.
Our first days may be spent in the company of Michael Netzsch (Bamboo Route 2013) who lives in the vicinity, and is happy to show us round by bike. Michael has also highly recommended the boutique hotel where he stayed earlier in 2013.
As riders commit, I will add their names to the Riders page.
We will be staying in hotels, B&Bs, pensiones or other suitable accommodation for the duration.
The ride has been divided into four sections.
Stage 1: Germany and France - approx 20 days
Our route will take us along the Rhein, crossing to the Rhone at Lyon, then down to Marseille.
We may indulge in a little sightseeing round Dijon to Nolay to Chateauneuf along the Bourgonge Canal perhaps; or poodling round in Provence. Say a trip west of Avignon along the river La Durance, seeing historic villages of Merindol, Lauris, Cadenet and so on. Or the sunflower and lavender fields of Lurs, onto Forcalquier and other charming villages before reaching Aix-en-Provence where Cezanne painted, then onto Marseille.
It is expected that riding will be along bike paths in the main.
Depart Nierstein and arrive in Marseille after riding 800kms, give or take.
Stage 2: Italy - approx 19 days
Arrive in Porto Torres, Sardinia by ferry from Marseille and tour the west coast of the island for a week before hopping on a ferry at Cagliari travelling to Trapani, Sicily and riding either along the north, or a more southerly route, or maybe just some of the highlights of the island.
Expected distance 5-600kms.
Stage 3: Mainland Greece - approx 9 days
Leave by train from (Messina in Sicily, Reggio di Calabria on the mainland) to Brindisi (about an 8 hour ride) then a ferry to Igoumenitsa (about 7 hours) and take a good book.
From there, one option is an overland ride to Thessaloniki, hopping off point for ferries to Limnos and Lesbos (not sure how long).
Another option is to ride the Peloponnese, and take a ferry from Pireas to Lesbos (10 hours overnight).
Ship your bike home from here.
Stage 4: Thessaloniki/Pireaus to Lesbos and onto Istanbul - approx 15 days
Not riding.
From Lesbos a short ferry ride over to Turkey arriving at Ayvalik then onto Istanbul via Cannakale by bus/ferry.
Once in Turkey there is Troy and Gallipoli to explore, or further afield perhaps Cappadoccia, Permakule or Ephesus.
The slideshow below may whet your appetite. We begin in Ayvalik where the pace is slow, admiring the view across to Lesbos. Cannakale, which is opposite the Gallipoli Peninsula where Lone Pine cemetery is situated, is depicted next and is a jumping off point to visit Troy as well. The wooden horse stands on the Cannakale waterfront and is from the movie Troy made in 2004, starring Brad Pitt. The last couple of slides depict Istanbul's Grand Bazaar.
Our starting point is the Villa Spiegelberg, an exclusive hotel in the famous wine village Nierstein (the Riesling City in Germany). It is about 30 minutes away from the Frankfurt Airport.
Our first days may be spent in the company of Michael Netzsch (Bamboo Route 2013) who lives in the vicinity, and is happy to show us round by bike. Michael has also highly recommended the boutique hotel where he stayed earlier in 2013.
As riders commit, I will add their names to the Riders page.
We will be staying in hotels, B&Bs, pensiones or other suitable accommodation for the duration.
The ride has been divided into four sections.
Stage 1: Germany and France - approx 20 days
Our route will take us along the Rhein, crossing to the Rhone at Lyon, then down to Marseille.
We may indulge in a little sightseeing round Dijon to Nolay to Chateauneuf along the Bourgonge Canal perhaps; or poodling round in Provence. Say a trip west of Avignon along the river La Durance, seeing historic villages of Merindol, Lauris, Cadenet and so on. Or the sunflower and lavender fields of Lurs, onto Forcalquier and other charming villages before reaching Aix-en-Provence where Cezanne painted, then onto Marseille.
It is expected that riding will be along bike paths in the main.
Depart Nierstein and arrive in Marseille after riding 800kms, give or take.
Stage 2: Italy - approx 19 days
Arrive in Porto Torres, Sardinia by ferry from Marseille and tour the west coast of the island for a week before hopping on a ferry at Cagliari travelling to Trapani, Sicily and riding either along the north, or a more southerly route, or maybe just some of the highlights of the island.
Expected distance 5-600kms.
Stage 3: Mainland Greece - approx 9 days
Leave by train from (Messina in Sicily, Reggio di Calabria on the mainland) to Brindisi (about an 8 hour ride) then a ferry to Igoumenitsa (about 7 hours) and take a good book.
From there, one option is an overland ride to Thessaloniki, hopping off point for ferries to Limnos and Lesbos (not sure how long).
Another option is to ride the Peloponnese, and take a ferry from Pireas to Lesbos (10 hours overnight).
Ship your bike home from here.
Stage 4: Thessaloniki/Pireaus to Lesbos and onto Istanbul - approx 15 days
Not riding.
From Lesbos a short ferry ride over to Turkey arriving at Ayvalik then onto Istanbul via Cannakale by bus/ferry.
Once in Turkey there is Troy and Gallipoli to explore, or further afield perhaps Cappadoccia, Permakule or Ephesus.
The slideshow below may whet your appetite. We begin in Ayvalik where the pace is slow, admiring the view across to Lesbos. Cannakale, which is opposite the Gallipoli Peninsula where Lone Pine cemetery is situated, is depicted next and is a jumping off point to visit Troy as well. The wooden horse stands on the Cannakale waterfront and is from the movie Troy made in 2004, starring Brad Pitt. The last couple of slides depict Istanbul's Grand Bazaar.
