Switzerland – RuslanY Bike Travel

EuroTour day 13 – To Schaffhausen

I decided to continue with my original tour plan and stay on the EuroVelo 6 route. The main goal of this tour was to ride in as many countries as possible. If I detour to Switzerland Alps I won’t have enough time to ride in Czech Republic and I really want to do that.

Today’s route followed the Rhine river and it crossed the border between Germany and Switzerland at least five times. I guess I never crossed countries borders so many times in one day before.

While riding I’ve talked with a few bike tourers that were going in the same direction. Most of them were local and did a couple days tours. One couple from Tasmania (!) was riding to Budapest on the same route as me but they do 60 km per day.

The highlight of the day was the stop at the Rhine Falls.

The route in Germany and Switzerland is marked well enough. Also the cycling roads are good in general. Out of the 70 miles today I shared the road with cars maybe for 5-8 miles. There are some sections on gravel roads but they are smooth and marked well. Also today’s ride had some climbs but nothing too bad.

EuroTour day 12 – Basel sightseeing

I took a one day break from riding and went to the center of Basel. It is a 20 minutes ride by tram from the place where I stay.

Basel is a very beautiful city. I liked it a lot. It is the third biggest city in Switzerland but it does not feel crowded or touristy as other big European cities. Also everyone here speaks English, which makes is so much easier for me to communicate.

Having ridden for more than a week I’ve learned what things I use everyday and what I never use. So I went to a local post office and mailed home some stuff that I never use. That would lighten up my load by a few pounds.

EuroTour day 11 – To Basel, Switzerland

I’ve reached the Switzerland today! This is the first time ever I have crossed a European border by bike. It is a second time ever I have crossed a country border by bike (first one was during a ride from Seattle to Vancouver, BC in 2016).

The crossing of the border was not a big deal at all. There were not any border signs or anything that signifies that you are entering a different country. Just cross a bridge and you are in Germany. Cross another bridge and you are in Switzerland.

I’m taking a rest day in Switzerland. Also I’ve parted with Matt and Harry, whom I’ve been riding with for the past 5 days. They plan to take a train to Alps and then continue North on the EuroVelo 15 route along the Rhine river. The guys are super tough – they ride 70+ miles everyday without any rest days!