How to Bicycle the Romantic Street in Germany
Germany's oldest tourist route, The Romantic Street, is also its most popular. The 439-kilometer, former north-south trade route is home to some of the best-preserved medieval towns to have survived the wreckage of World War II. While buses, trains and rental cars run daily from Wurzburg to Fussen, you can also cycle the entire length of the Romantic Street via a well-established bike path, the D9.
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Things You'll Need
- Guidebook
- Allen wrench
- Screwdriver
- Tent (optional)
- Map (optional)
- GPS (optional)
Instructions
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Riding the Romantic Street
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Plan ahead by reading up on the Romantic Street. "Germany's Romantic Road," by Gordon McLachlan is a great place to figure out whether Rothenburg's Dark Age architecture or Landsburg Am Lech's nature preserve will take priority.
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Book a room. Riding a bike long distances can be tiring, and while there are plenty of hotels and campgrounds around the larger cities, if you plan on staying in smaller towns you may find that the only hotel is all booked up. Reservations may help save you a lot of trouble.
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Gear up. Make sure you have some standard tools, like an allen wrench and screwdriver at the least. A long bike trip is prone to a few breakdowns. If you're going to camp, have a tent.
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Get your wheels. Rent or buy a bicycle in Wurzburg, the northernmost city on the Romantic Street. There are several shops that provide both options. Check the bike to make sure there are no problems and that you're comfortable on it.
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Follow the signs. Start in Wurzburg and let the signs do the rest; the D9 is clearly marked from north to south. If you are the extra-cautious type, you can acquire maps and GPS information in most bike shops in Wurzburg and Fussen.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have a longer trip, choosing destinations in advance isn't as important, but you should know your priorities for shorter trips.
Most daily supplies can be purchased en route. Initially you'll want to pack light---extra weight isn't fun to pedal around.
