GEAR & TIPS
PREP PAYS OFF
Preparation is key to rewarding solo travel. I focus on how I will be travelling and how I will be experiencing my adventure.
In addition to my workhorse $200 Schwinn bike, I brought two phones with me on this trip: an old iPhone for German phone service and for using with the RideWithGPS app, and a second iPhone that acted as my camera. This simple system covered the bases and worked great!
KEEPING IT LIGHT
It is important to be able to port my bike and my gear single handedly. Preparing in this way paid off on the train ride from Prague to Munich. There was an accident ahead and we had to disembark and embark several times on an alternate route - often with a very short turn around time.
This meant having my back pack on my back, the bike basket in one hand, and pushing the bike with the other - even pushing it up stairs. This brought home the importance of the ‘no more than two bags rule’. I have to be able manage everything single handedly. Yes… there are times when train angels help load up my bike, but not always.
POWERING THE RIDE
Eating well and staying healthy is critical to enjoying adventure traveling. My front bike basket is my pantry - and is a blend of local goods and staples I bring with me. The basket usually has enough food for several days worth of meals.
Breakfast: food from the pension or hotel
Lunch: fresh Brötchen and cheese or non-dairy cheese with arugula and instant coffee
Dinner: muesli, oat milk and my power foods: spirulina and golden milk
Snacks: apples, cake, more coffee and a couple of water bottles
The nice thing about staying in a Pension (a room in someone’s house) is that in addition to a great breakfast, I get to pack a lunch with the extras, meet very interesting and gracious hosts, and hear their stories. One host even wrapped up some of her fresh baked cake for me!
My THANKS!!! to all of the wonderful people and places I encountered on this heritage honoring adventure - you all gave me heartfelt connections!
TRAVELING IS AN EXERCISE IN GRATITUDE!
