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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!rna!cubsvax!peters
From: peters@cubsvax.UUCP (Peter S. Shenkin)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle,net.travel
Subject: Re: Request for info - Cycling in Europe.
Message-ID: <423@cubsvax.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 18-Feb-86 12:31:20 EST
Article-I.D.: cubsvax.423
Posted: Tue Feb 18 12:31:20 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 19-Feb-86 08:31:30 EST
References: <mprvaxa.696>
Reply-To: peters@cubsvax.UUCP (Peter S. Shenkin)
Distribution: na
Organization: Columbia Univ. Bio. CG Fac., NY
Lines: 32
Xref: linus net.bicycle:1693 net.travel:1909

In article <mprvaxa.696> smyth@mprvaxa.UUCP (Roy Smyth) writes:
>I'm planning a bicycling trip in Europe for this summer.  We're
>planning to visit the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, a bit of
>Germany and the Alsace region of France.  The route plan is:
>		(... etc....)

In Spring of 1971 I went from Amsterdam to Paris by bicycle;  it was the
most impulsive thing I ever did.  On the same day I thought of doing it, I
bought a 10-speed at the Amsterdam flea market, put most of my belongings
on a mail train, and left.  I had a sleeping bag and camped out most nights,
though I stayed in youth hostels or with friends or friends of friends some
nights.  I took 10 days, of which 5 were pedaling and 5 were staying various
places.

Two bits of advice:  (1) Michelin road maps:  they're great, and pay attention
to the scenic routes, which are multicolored ribbons on the maps;  (2) yes,
avoid Brussels and Antwerp, but visit the university town of Louvain.
It's on your way, and is nestled in a beautiful valley.

I came down West of the Ardennes proper, through Namur, Charleroi and St.
Quentin, a rather depressed area, but with gorgeous farmland and canals.  I'm
getting almost homesick now, remembering the beauty.  I went in April-May.  I
fairly lived on bread and cheese, and, in France, whenever I'd stop by the side
of the road for lunch, literally every car that would pass would slow down, the
window would open, and someone would call out "Bon apetit!".

I'm sending this to the net as much to share the experience, though it was
long ago, as to answer your query.  Hope that's OK.  Please post a trip report
when you get back!

Peter S. Shenkin	Columbia Univ. Biology Dept., NY, NY  10027
{philabs,rna}!cubsvax!peters		cubsvax!peters@columbia.ARPA