Backroad Romance - A self-supported gravel tour
My last multi-day bike tour started out in Slovenia with the goal of cycling all the way to the Baltic Sea. While the scenery was beautiful, I quit after a couple of days riding in Bratislava because it was too exhausting on my body and my mind. I do not regret starting or quitting. Both the cycling before and the time afterwards were great. From Bratislava, I went straight to my girlfriend Maike in the alps, and we went on one of the most beautiful hikes I have done at the Alpstein massif.
But since that tour, I was not sure if multi-day bike touring is my thing. So it was with mixed feelings that I signed up for a two-day group ride through the Palatinate Forest. The tour was organized by a local bike shop (Ruprecht Rides), and it was planned by Simon so so well! I did not know if my fitness level was good enough. But the climbs were almost always on asphalt and never too steep. While the straits and downhills were on varied terrain in the forest: sandy single trails going over roots, quite forest roads, or heavy gravel. There was a bit of everything. And it was fun and stunningly beautiful!
Why did I enjoy the ride so much more than last time?
- Maybe because it was just two days.
- Maybe because I changed my dropbar to a flatbar. I had no issues with neck, shoulders, or hands, was erect in the saddle to look around freely, and could really let it flow downhills.
- Maybe it was because I had a better transmission gear ratio (one more low gear), which made climbing more pleasant.
- Maybe it was because I had not so much baggage.
- Maybe it was because I rode with my friends, together with many others. Riding with a big group - we were around 30-40 people - is motivating, interesting, and fun.
I do not know why I enjoyed it so much, but I know I will do it again!
The route: