Germany

BahnRadweg Hessen – Cycling Central Germany

Instead of this fancy beach holiday, for this term’s vacation I literally simply stepped out of my door – and my adventure began just there. One week solo cycling and wild camping with my 7 gear city bike, almost 500 km through central Germany.

First of all: I had no previous experience in freecamping or longterm cycling or how to ensure food and water supplies on the way while being on a budget. I mean, I consider myself quite fit and I follow many different travel blogs with related stories and I backpacked alone before… but actually doing this shit all by myself just out of a sudden idea was something completely different. And I’d do it again in a split second.

My first travel video ever

Bear with me for the sometimes poor quality 🙂

Self-taught adventure

I was well prepared, which was the clue to it all (well in any case you gotta be extremely flexible and modest on the way, but that’s obvious). I knew the route and had sufficient navigation material, I knew my equipment and how to pack it well and set it up, I had repair stuff and knew how to use it (not so obvious, apparently), and – most importantly – I brought a huge amount of optimism. When my bike broke the first day, that was what kept my mind positive.

And off I went… and an adventure it was!

I got up in the mornings between 5 and 7 (depending on weather, daily distance, campsite and its potential agricultural use), I cycled between 50 and 85 km a day, I was freezing and sweating, starving and heavenly full of awesome food, I met great people and great lonliness. I reached personal limits and crossed them, I overcame fears and flinched from others. I was creative in repairing things and where I couldn’t, I was tremendously grateful for receiving help. I camped on wide meadows and in forests, in a barn between hay bales and in a castle ruin from 12th century. I experienced ups and downs, great joy and deep sorrow, and most of all I got to listen to my thoughts like it’s never the case in everyday life – although I just covered a couple of kilometres of physical distance to that, it felt like another universe mentally. The official route “BahnRadweg Hessen” is 400 km, but due to the extra way to get to the start from my home, as well as all the detours and lookingforafreakingrepairshopextraways I can easily add another 100. It offers everything a biker’s heart desires: Gorgeous views (check photos below), and it goes along old railways which have been turned into cycle paths and thus is a mostly paved route full of history to be discovered – and just perfect if you’re a beginner or wanna be sure not to be surprised by any mountainbike-like tracks.

Those moments on the road

Actually, my bike started making problems the very first day, with an annoying squeaking pedal. I was able to fix it for roughly 60 km by applying some oil, but on Sunday, the second day, it became so bad I was unable to keep going – and all the repair shops closed, of course. I was quite desperate, sitting on the side of the road… when a couple came by, took me with them to their home, and helped me cleaning and oiling with more professional equipment, which enabled me to keep cycling for another 100 km or so. The next morning, I arrived in Fulda and was able to get it repaired straight away (they said it would take the whole day, but were done after 1,5 hours!).

The same day, when it was time to find a place for the night, the route was going through a forest. And I was like… hmmm, I don’t want that anybody sees me, and fine me for illegal camping, I wanted to hide, not sure about what was good. So I actually pitched up my tent between lots of bushes and plants, not feeling good at all and very unsecure, I lay down, it was quiet… and I just knew, no, this isn’t good, neither for me nor my tent. So, I packed everything up again. Cycled 10 more minutes. Found the perfect spot on a field with amazing view. If you think, changing your mind is not worth it after having put so much effort into a certain decision – listen to your gut feeling! It’ll most likely tell you right 🙂

At some point, to take a photo, my bike just fell down, and the lamp came apart. There were times when I would be like “Oh screw it, I don’t need a lamp” or “damn it, where is the next repair show” or “daddyyyyy please help!” – but in the right spirit that I was, I used my imagination which cable had to go where, my pocket knife and a lot of duct tape, and it actually worked 🙂

I was sightseeing an old castle ruin, when I saw a thunder storm coming closer and began to worry where I would stay that night; it was 5pm already. So I thought… well, it is safest to be in some kind of building (instead of in a tent, somewhere on a field or close to trees), so I decided to stay in that ruin. Even if somebody would have come by, I was sure they would have approved due to the quite heavy weather conditions. It was a fantastic feeling! The ruin was from 12th century, and imagining what might have happened here and what people stayed here was really exciting.

There were heaps of fruit trees on the way, and so I was able to pick apples and plums constantly. Yuuuuuum!

I was couchsurfing one night because it was too cold (6°C only), and was warmly welcomed by a Russian-German Christian 11-member family and invited to amazing food, a warm bath and an interesting insight into their religious community.

Towards the end of the week, I really dealt quite intensely with some of my issues and, as it’s not always rainbows and unicorns, also had some deep, rather melancholic, thoughtful times full of doubt, not knowing whether my current life path is right for me, or which decisions are the best. I know this way is where I’m supposed to be, and believe in its importance, however this is not easy when you’re alone in the middle of nowhere and don’t have anybody to share your thoughts with, to get a perspective on the matters.

One day, there was a suggested route of 60 km, constantly uphill during the second half with a total incline of over 650 m. I had an altitude map that looked quite … ambitious for me and my 7 gear city bike. I was cycling and cycling and cycling and had no points of reference how far I was…. until I crossed the peak waaaaay earlier than I expected! I was like… wtf?! Either they did a miracle to my bike in the repair shop or I’m unexpectedly fit… but I did it, and that made me freaking happy 🙂

A journey in pictures

(click to enlarge)

Well…

After all, I figured some things out for myself. I realize I’m able to take care of my problems and do a trip like this by myself, if I need to, that I’m fully capable of it. I know I mostly prefer company and dear friends around be, but I also value the alone time to actually listen to my own thoughts and go through things. I learned once again how positivity, mindfulness and trust can lead the way, successfully. And, last but not least, you don’t have to go far to experience adventure – it awaits just outside your doorstep!

What a trip. So much yes!

 

Have you had any close to home adventures yet?

BahnRadweg Hessen - Cycling Central Germany

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24 Comments

  • Reply
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  • Reply
    Galia.Vu0107
    November 1, 2016 at 10:58 am

    Love your gallery! and it’s useful information . I’ve never been there before. But cycling in Germany ‘s great ideas for healthy traveling. Thanks

    • Reply
      Christina
      November 3, 2016 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks for the feedback! Yes, exploring home a little more has numerous advantages haha

  • Reply
    Zwitsy
    October 26, 2016 at 1:51 pm

    Wow, you are so brave! I haven’t tried going anywhere alone. If I did, that was only going to school and work. Going on a cycling can be a little tough but it is tougher to go on a trip via cycling most especially it is a venture to take. But nonetheless, I admire you for making it a success!

    • Reply
      Christina
      October 26, 2016 at 4:15 pm

      That means a lot to me, thank you! We all start at different points and all have a different progress to make. It’s important to challenge ourselves with what we’re capable of but at the same time acknowledge and appreciate our needs, I think.

  • Reply
    Vyjay
    October 26, 2016 at 7:47 am

    This is truly an epic voyage. It must indeed have been a very satisfying experience. The sweat, the tears, the smiles, the moments of exhilaration and the moments agony. But all incredible memories to treasure for a lifetime.

    • Reply
      Christina
      October 26, 2016 at 4:09 pm

      So true, and well said! I still regularly think about the journey and relive all the moments… there’s a lot to take from it.

  • Reply
    Laura
    October 26, 2016 at 6:36 am

    amazing experience! I love how you managed to solve so many difficulties through your trip and it looks like you learnt so much about yourself. I think trips like that are the ones that teach us the most.

    • Reply
      Christina
      October 26, 2016 at 4:08 pm

      It makes me happy to see that I was able to get across my message and feelings! It was indeed a very insightful and valueable trip, even if it was just around the corner of my doorstep 🙂

  • Reply
    Carmy
    October 24, 2016 at 4:15 am

    I loved that you couch surfed! Did you use an app? Must have been an interesting experience with a family of 11!

    • Reply
      Christina
      October 25, 2016 at 8:34 am

      Thanks a bunch! Yeah, I used the official couchsurfing app, works very conveniently even for spontaneous requests. Just gotta make sure to use it right – drop me a line if I can help you out with further information 🙂

  • Reply
    Sharleen Henderson
    October 22, 2016 at 7:41 pm

    Wow! Well done you! Quite courageous of you and so very pleased that it was a success! Very inspirational actually, kind of makes me want to go out and buy a bike! ???? Sharleen ♡

    • Reply
      Christina
      October 25, 2016 at 8:42 am

      YAY! That’s what makes me even more happy after returning and sharing, to see, I actually reach people. Thank you so much!

  • Reply
    shayan Naveed
    October 21, 2016 at 9:42 am

    Wow what an experience. It is commendable but I would never do this. I would go for a bike ride for few 100 kms but I need to return back to my home at the end. Really inspirational though. Well done.

    • Reply
      Christina
      October 25, 2016 at 8:41 am

      Thanks heaps for your kind words! I can imagine that has been a rather extreme trip, but I think everyone can adjust it to whatever their personal needs are – places to sleep, food, company along the way, etc. This was not leisure but gaining experience, in quite a stressful way actually. So for sure, I wouldn’t do such a trip every couple of weeks either, haha.

  • Reply
    Stephanie
    October 21, 2016 at 4:43 am

    This sounds like such an amazing adventure! It’s great to hear that you were able to problem solve and work through the issues you encountered. I’ve never thought to do a trip like this but it sounds like such fun!

    Stephanie
    Adventures in Aussieland

    • Reply
      Christina
      October 25, 2016 at 8:38 am

      It was indeed! My wanderlust also keeps me heading to the most far away places, but I thought… the people from those places will visit my home as a far away destination. And they know some parts of it better than me having lived here almost a quarter century haha!

  • Reply
    verushka
    October 20, 2016 at 7:03 pm

    Well done on such a fantastic journey of travel.You are indeed very brave.I need to first learn how to ride a bike lol.
    The kindness of strangers when we travel leaves me in awe always.

    • Reply
      Christina
      October 25, 2016 at 8:33 am

      Haha thank you! From what I’ve read, you got your own quite amazing ways of finding your way through the world!
      But I think, I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily brave to do such a trip, because I have never been in a position where I couldn’t get help or something really bad could have happened. It’s the decision of confronting yourself with – just yourself, and learn to not rely on others all the time. Looking back, I really enjoy seeing the progress I made, although it was for sure not easy!

  • Reply
    Suz
    October 20, 2016 at 3:37 pm

    You are such an inspiration!! I have never read a blog post or watched a travel video with so much optimism and positivity. I hope to add some of your insight to my daily travels. Sometimes it’s so easy to feel down, but life is too short!

    Thank you so much for sharing this adventure. When we get back home, my husband wants to do a bike trip from our hometown of Pittsburgh to Washington DC (it’s about 300 km). I love to bike, but I’ve been wary of the 5 day trip. But after seeing your adventure, and knowing that the good moments far outweigh the bad, I think it would be such a crazy awesome adventure!

    I’m looking forward to reading more of your blog and seeing more adventures!

    PS: Your travel video was great! You should definitely do more!

    • Reply
      Christina
      October 25, 2016 at 8:28 am

      Thank you for those kind words, you can’t imagine how much I appreciate them, how much they mean regarding that during the trip I was by myself, but now, sharing it, people are actually there with me, in a way.
      I think, for the two of you, it should be a great experience to wander around your home a little, discover new places, and I do believe you can figure out anything. Worst case, ensure that there regularly are opportunities for a proper room or even a train back home, as a little reassuring thought to keep in mind, and then, why not 😉
      I’ll be excited to read about it!!

  • Reply
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