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With well-developed cycling infrastructure, conscientious drivers and an active biking culture, Europe is an ideal place for long-distance bicycling. No matter where you are stationed, there are opportunities to either ride from your house, drive to a trailhead or travel via train with your bicycle to do some excellent riding.
Finding Trails
In the Kaiserslautern area, there is the perfect mix of both on and off-road trail systems.
If you are interested in paved bike paths check out the RLP Gold app or visit their bike touring planner via the web at www.tourenplaner-rheinland-pfalz.de/en. This resource allows you to filter your search for activity, distance and difficulty. Once you find the tour you want to ride, you can download GPX files to use in your cycling computer or your favorite mapping or tracking app on your smartphone.
If off-road cycling and mountain biking are more your speed, the Mountain Bike Park Pfälzerwald website www.mountainbikepark-pfaelzerwald.de will give you all the information you need to plan some long-distance tours through the forests to the south of the KMC area.
I have also enjoyed the opportunity to explore further afield. The Mosel and Rhine River bike paths are some of the best long-distance paved bike routes I’ve ridden with my family. Camping and bicycle-friendly accommodations are plentiful along the way.
Bikepacking along the Mosel River ()
Bikepacking in Europe
Most paths and trails in Europe offer the ability to do multi-day rides by staying in campsites or bike-friendly hotels on the route. This is known as “bikepacking.” One of the easiest websites to navigate for planning your overnight stays is the Bett and Bike website, www.bettundbike.de. It is managed by the Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (ADFC), which is similar to ADAC but for bicycles. If you are on a shoestring budget, you can also check out www.warmshowers.org, a bicycle touring-specific website that is akin to couch surfing.
In addition to the paved paths, there is an amazing assortment of off-road bikepacking routes throughout Europe. I have had the opportunity to ride sections of the European Divide Trail, a trans-Alps trip from Garmisch to Lake Garda, and a large loop through Slovenia. If you are looking for some inspiration or pre-made routes, check out bikepacking.com/bikepacking-routes, or search bikepacking on www.komoot.com .
A word of caution: Be prepared to detour on your own. On just about every trip I’ve done using a crowdsourced premade loop, there have been trails that were closed due to forest work, sections that were overgrown, or paths covered in downed trees. It may be better to follow local cycle trail signs when the route from an app feels off course.
Long-Distance Cycling Gear
There are a multitude of gear and bicycle choices for either the paved or offroad paths. Choosing the right equipment really comes down to the type of terrain you expect to ride and your budget.
If you are new to cycling and have access to DOD resources, I recommend renting a bicycle from MWR’s Outdoor Rec. Off-installation, you can go to one of the many outfitters along the Mosel or Rhine. It is an inexpensive way to see if you enjoy riding.
If you decide cycling is for you, your local bicycle shop is the best place to get fit for a bicycle. It may be a bit more expensive than buying a bike at the Exchange or from Amazon, but there is a better chance that you will purchase a bicycle you enjoy riding.
If you are already a seasoned cyclist and would like to learn more about specific bicycles or gear, I recommend the following websites:
Biking along the Soca River in Slovenia ()
