Help me plan next year's trip to Germany

[Genosse Brymbo]

I'm planning next year's trip to Germany.  Like this year (see https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=110424.0) I intend to get to Cologne and then follow the Hamburg-Berlin-Koln audax route.

This time I intend to take the Eurostar to Brussels, then Belgian IC to Welkenraedt (as suggested by Ivo in reply 4 here https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=108407.0), and cycle over the border to a hotel in the Eifel region of Germany.  The next day I'd need to ride from there (think Düren or Nideggen or Euskirchen) to Cologne.  Does anybody know of any good routes, or am I best just using my preferred mapping application (ridewithgps) and using as many bike paths as possible?

I guess there's a secondary question in here - how do others plan bike-friendly routes in Europe (I'm actually only interested in Germany)?  I need surfaces which are good for a 25mm-tyred light tourer/audax bike (Tifosi CK7) and I'm not keen on cycling in heavy traffic on holiday.

[quixoticgeek]

I'm planning next year's trip to Germany.  Like this year (see https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=110424.0) I intend to get to Cologne and then follow the Hamburg-Berlin-Koln audax route.

This time I intend to take the Eurostar to Brussels, then Belgian IC to Welkenraedt (as suggested by Ivo in reply 4 here https://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=108407.0), and cycle over the border to a hotel in the Eifel region of Germany.  The next day I'd need to ride from there (think Düren or Nideggen or Euskirchen) to Cologne.  Does anybody know of any good routes, or am I best just using my preferred mapping application (ridewithgps) and using as many bike paths as possible?

I guess there's a secondary question in here - how do others plan bike-friendly routes in Europe (I'm actually only interested in Germany)?  I need surfaces which are good for a 25mm-tyred light tourer/audax bike (Tifosi CK7) and I'm not keen on cycling in heavy traffic on holiday.

Komoot will tell you what open street map thinks the road surface is. This can vary a bit, but is mostly accurate. I use it to avoid pave.

There are some long distance routes that can be quite nice, and are sign posted, but often they are a bit like sustrans (longest route between 2 points).

I've yet to have a trip to Germany that hasn't involved at least 1 angry driver shouting something out the window at me.

No route planner is perfect, you're just working to improve the odds that what you intended to do is rideable. On todays 60k ride, strava tried to take me through a military base, and down 2 foot paths that did not permit cycling...

Komoot, Ride with gps, strava, cycle streets, google, all of these need an "avoid stairs" option. Something you wouldn't think would be needed, but apparently they all think stairs are ok to cycle down...

Komoot also sent me down the a14 dual carriage way near Cambridge...

Google maps almost got me shot.

Only komoot seems to realise its a good idea to mention that ferries exist.

In your case, crossing the border from Belgium into Germany, try to pick up the Vennbahn.

Getting to Koln, find the Rhine, follow it. The Rhine cycle path is usable most months of the year (kayak needed some months due to flooding).

J

[jiberjaber]

I have a route we used to Köln on a Friday's tour whic may offer some ideas, I'm away at the moment but will try to remember when I'm back later this week.

[jiberjaber]

See if this works in the meantime

[Auntie Helen]

The Velomobile riders use the website brouter which allows you to specify race bike, trekking bike etc, and routes accordingly. There is also a Velomobil setting which avoids gates etc.

http://brouter.de/brouter-web

[Pickled Onion]

Only komoot seems to realise its a good idea to mention that ferries exist.

Maps.Me tries to route on to ferries even when unnecessary, e.g. hopping down the coast. Yes, yes I know it's the flattest route, but I'm on  a cycling trip and the amount of climbing doesn't really count on a ferry, does it?

At least it now knows about whether you can cross a border with a bike. Not believing it and carrying on regardless is not a good plan 

[bludger]

I have toured through the Netherlands and to Germany. I found that the bike paths were tolerable for 25mm tyres. But in hindsight I would have fitted 28s. At the time I was using Google maps which did take me over some gravel paths too. Nothing ultra gnarly and it was during a warm summer, but it would have been a pain at a wet time of year.

[maxap]

I cycled a bit in the Eifel region last year. Mostly MTB following a gpx track but also using osmand app on android for getting to start/finish using cycling/walking/working paths/tracks. Osmand took me on mostly good tracks and there seemed to be plenty of marked cycling paths but would probably want at least 28mm tires. On my MTB I was on 2.25 front 2.10 rear, so just went where the Osmand app pointed, which was at times bumpy. Impressed how it kept me off the main roads though.

I enjoyed the region a lot and will be going back again next year. I've signed up for this 800km gravel/MTB event:

https://eifel-graveller.de/