Cycling along the coast in the north

[arctic-cycler]

I made it very quickly, but if You have question, send me priv.

http://www.bikemap.net/route/1907907#lat=52.916448207182&lng=12.180552070313&zoom=6&maptype=ts_terrain

For me this is the best stage. It includes: National Park Muritz, Mecklenburgishe Schweiz, Demmin - old hansa City, Greisfwald - old hansa City with great old harbor, Peenemunde ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peenemunde ) and a lot of beautiful small town's at seaside like Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf, Bansin.

Hey. That's great!! I'm going to update my route. Looking forward to seeing that part of Germany and Poland. I used to live in Germany, and I know the lakes in Mecklenburg Vorpommern are quite famous.

All the best!

Matthew

[arctic-cycler]

I made it very quickly, but if You have question, send me priv.

http://www.bikemap.net/route/1907907#lat=52.916448207182&lng=12.180552070313&zoom=6&maptype=ts_terrain

For me this is the best stage. It includes: National Park Muritz, Mecklenburgishe Schweiz, Demmin - old hansa City, Greisfwald - old hansa City with great old harbor, Peenemunde ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peenemunde ) and a lot of beautiful small town's at seaside like Ahlbeck, Heringsdorf, Bansin.

Hi Oskar. I was warned in another forum that my direct route to the north east of Germany was quite hilly. I have since updated the route to follow some defined long distance bike routes that take the hillyness more into account.. :-) In doing this I have missed out on some of your route. Could you take a look at the route and tell me if some small adjustments would make it nicer?

http://lambchopeindhoven.wordpress.com/biking-2013/germany-2013/

Thanks for your help!! :-)
Matthew

[Oskar]

Your route look good. I'm not Germany expert, I've been in Muritz National Park and Mecklenburgishe Schweiz. But If I gonna be at my hometown in summer I can offer You help at Island Usedom and than I can show You more.
I'm from small town at the border with Germany - Swinoujscie.

[arctic-cycler]

Hi Oskar. Yes, I saw that town. The first town I will visit in Poland. Looking forward to it.

Have a good week!!

Matthew

[arctic-cycler]

Hi all.
It is now less than a month before I leave for my trip to the North Cape through Poland. I should be cycling through Poland in the middle of June. Thanks all for your tips. I might see some of you there!

http://arctic-cycler.com/biking-2013/poland-2013/

Matthew

[Bitels]

Good luck Matthew

[arctic-cycler]

Good luck Matthew

Thanks, Bitels!!

Matthew

[arctic-cycler]

Hi all.
Two weeks to go now before I leave Eindhoven on my bike, heading to the North Cape through Poland. I have been training a lot in the last months - in Holland, Belgium, France and the UK. Here is a little video of my trip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ttseFfEDtg

Looking forward to seeing Poland, and catching up with some of you!! :-)

Matthew

[Giovanni]

Hello
Could You tell us something about your "expedition" bicycle? Some pictures maybe?

[arctic-cycler]

Hello
Could You tell us something about your "expedition" bicycle? Some pictures maybe?

Hi Giovanni,
Well, last year I did a shorter cycle trip (1300km in northern Norway), and had lots of problems with my bike (broken spokes mainly on the back wheel and then on its replacement). After deciding to go on this longer trip this year, I decided to buy a better bike, and one that is exactly to my specifications.

I bought a Koga Signature. Koga is a quality Dutch make, and I specified (together with the people from the bike shop) all the different components of the bike. There is a picture of it on my blog here (scroll down): http://arctic-cycler.com/biking-2013/

The key feature of the bike is the Rohloff Speedhub 500/14 together with a carbon belt drive. It has an aluminum frame with 28 inch wheels, and hydraulic brakes.

I have cycled over 2000km on the bike, and have had no problems yet. Up to now I am very happy with the gears and carbon belt drive. Very low maintenance - no oiling the chain, and a quick dust down with a cloth suffices. I am kind of worried of what would happen if it does break. As it is quite uncommon, getting it fixed at a local bike shop may be difficult. Still, I have been assured that it is extremely reliable, and doesn't break. Well, I'll see..

There is also another picture of the bike at the bottom of this post:
http://arctic-cycler.com/2013/05/05/day-3-of-eindhoven-paris-by-bike-guise-paris-205-km/

Is the Rohloff system popular in Poland?

Matthew

[hindiana]

Rohloff is a kind of a legend, mostly because of a legendary price  If you knew Polish you'd prob found it quite entertaining: http://www.podrozerowerowe.info/index.php?topic=9228.msg175897#msg175897

[arctic-cycler]

Rohloff is a kind of a legend, mostly because of a legendary price  If you knew Polish you'd prob found it quite entertaining: http://www.podrozerowerowe.info/index.php?topic=9228.msg175897#msg175897

Yes. Rohloff certainly isn't cheap..

Maybe I should learn Polish. I like languages and speak a few, but Polish is not one of them, unfortunately. I will try to learn a few words when I am there.. :-)

[hindiana]

You might need some basics especially in the small villages. Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about Polish, you can always create your own sign language, I guess you know yourself how it works

[arctic-cycler]

You might need some basics especially in the small villages. Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about Polish, you can always create your own sign language, I guess you know yourself how it works

I have tried to learn a bit of Russian in the past. Maybe some of the words might be like Polish words. Also, I used to play squash with a Polish colleague, so I learnt a few swear words. Not the kind of words that will be useful for my trip this summer, though.. :-)

[arctic-cycler]

With only a few days to go before I leave from Holland towards the North Cape in Norway, I have put together all the stuff that I want to take. It is all rather daunting.

Here is a list of what I will be taking: http://arctic-cycler.com/2013/06/04/my-equipment-list-for-eindhoven-nordkapp-2013/
Have I forgotten anything?