After hinting about my cycling journey for sooo long, I am finally on my way to Spain by bicycle. My bags are packed. My bicycle is loaded. And I am ready to go! The first part of my journey starts near the Czech border and takes me across Germany. For most of the route, I am cycling in Germany, the Main River and following the Main River Fahrradweg.
This is only step one of my three-part journey. After all, cycling to Spain takes a while. And, as I write this blog post, I have already cycled close to 1,000 km! Can you believe it?
So amazing. Who does that? Well, as it turns out, quite a lot of people.
The Main River Fahrradweg is a popular cycling route in Germany. Along the way, I met everyone from day trippers to long-distance cyclists. Somehow, I automatically became part of a little cycling community. Cyclists simply seem to look out for each other. Whether it is helping with directions or sharing a friendly smile and wave while passing, there is always some kind of connection.
Read here on my previous, and short, cycling trip: Cycling in Belgium – Bruges, Ghent and first impressions
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The Main River Fahrradweg
The official route for cycling the Main River starts in Kulmbach. However, I first had to get out of the Fichtelgebirge. And since I was already close to the Czech Republic, why not start there?
My first cycling day was rather short. Just 13 km later, I reached my parents’ home, and rested there for the night. Not exactly an impressive start to cycling all the way to Spain! However, while my family laughed at my first attempt, I conquered the hills and finally left my home area the next day. Soon after, I joined the Main River Fahrradweg.
Every hill counts when you cycle with a fully loaded bicycle. Luckily, from then on, the route was mostly flat or downhill.
The Main River Cycling Path is approximately 550 km long. It winds through the middle of Germany before finishing in Mainz, where the Main joins the Rhine River. (Here is a German website showing the exact route and map.)
The route itself is enjoyable and easy to ride. It is also clearly very popular. I simply followed the signs and divided my journey into daily rides of around 90 to 100 km. Of course, the exact distance depended on where I could find accommodation. Cycling along the Main River is a great way to explore Germany and its smaller towns. Along the way, I passed castles, wild forests, and vineyards covering the hillsides.
There was always something beautiful to see.
I had already cycled parts of the Main River Cycling Path before (read here). So, it was nice to return to some of the cute towns along the route. By the time I reached Frankfurt, I had cycled 500 km in just five days. Needless to say, it was time for a break.
My first break…
Luckily, the IAA (International Motor Show Germany) gave me the perfect excuse. After all, where else can you get a glimpse into the future of cars?
After some rest and dreaming about four wheels, it was time to get back on my bicycle. I still had one final section to complete along the Main River.
Luckily, only 40 km remained before the Main joined the Rhine near Frankfurt. So, it was a short and pleasant ride to the finish. And just like that, step one was done! Cycling the Main River Fahrradweg was officially complete. Spain was still a long way away, but I was getting closer.
Read about my Main River cycling experience here: Main river cycling path – Best place to cycle in Germany
And so…
I felt pretty happy with myself for cycling across Germany. More importantly, I was glad I had chosen the Main River Cycling Path for the first part of my journey. The route was mostly flat and easy to follow. However, I somehow managed to cycle against the wind for most of the way. Typical!
Still, what an achievement. Cycling the Main River Fahrradweg was officially complete, and I had crossed Germany on my bicycle. Next, it was time to head south. I planned to follow the Rhine River and eventually cross into France.
Here is my blog post about the second stage: The Rhine, Rhône, Basel and the Eurovelo
(post 111)
