[net.travel] Europe by bike

mlj@lanl-a.UUCP (10/12/84)

Next summer a couple friends and I plan on touring Europe by
bike.  We are thinking about Great Britain (and catching a bit
of the Wimbledon tournament) as well as France, Germany, Austria
(and the Lippizan stallions), Switzerland, Spain (?), and any
other country we may venture to.  We plan on hostelling and camping
out most of the time, and spending the other nights with friends
and acquaintances.  We will take our bikes with us and may stay
around three months.

Have any of you experienced touring Europe by bike or even hiking?

Is it necessary to belong to some sort of European Hostel Organization
to take advantage of the cheap rates?
(Somebody mentioned this to me a few months ago about acquiring a
membership card for cheap overnight rates.)

Are there places in particular that are a "must" to see, and other
places to avoid?

**Can we drink the water?**

If anybody out there has any helpful hints, tips or anything else
to share with me, I would appreciate it very much!

Thank you!

Marie-Louise Jalbert
Los Alamos Nat'l Lab
lanl-a!mlj
    or
mlj@lanl

dnh@hpbblb.UUCP (dnh) (10/16/84)

I have not toured Europe on a bicycle, but I have done so extensively
by train (and stayed in youth hostels)...

To get "member" rates at IYH hostels, you need to be a member of any
affiliate organization.  The U.S. one is AYH, the American Youth Hostel
Association.  They can sell you a membership card, as well as a catalog
listing all IYH hostels in Europe.

I have been to every country you listed except Spain, as well as Italy.
I have always drunk tap water, and never had a problem.  I think this
idea of "Don't drink the water" is American folklore...:-)

As far as "must see" items...you know, for all of Europe, that's a pretty
big question!  I recommend you get a copy of "Let's Go: Europe" and
read up on the countries you're considering.  Only you can decide if a 
particular place of interest sounds interesting to YOU!

If you have any detailed questions about Germany, send me mail: I've been
living here for 3 years and have done a bit of sightseeing.

mit freundlichen Gruessen,
David Holinstat
Hewlett-Packard GmbH
...ucbvax!hpda!hpfcla!hpbbn!dnh