Poles are increasingly willing to combine a bicycle adventure with camping, i.e. bikepacking – a trip without accommodation base and with all equipment on a two -wheeler. It is a way to fully independence and discover virgin places in the country and abroad. However, longer trips on the bike will require more preparation. We suggest what to remember before you go on such a journey.
By bike in Gdańsk and Warsaw
Starting from the north, Gdańsk deserves the attention of cyclists. The city offers unusual bicycle routes along the Motława River, through numerous green areas and along the Baltic coast. Warsaw is also conducive to cyclists. The city offers over 500 km of routes for cyclists. For example, on the Vistula trail (Młociny-Powsin, 37 km) you can admire from afar or visit during the break, among others Copernicus Science Center, Ujazdowski Castle, the Library of the University of Warsaw with a roof garden, Park Kultur in Powsin, Łazienki Królewskie and the Old Town. History lovers will like the Warsaw battle (33 km) trail with numerous monuments, sacred buildings and memory places. The Warsaw ZOO, Prague Park and the National Stadium are waiting for us on the sun trail (8.5 km).
South of the country: Wrocław and Krakow
Wrocław is one of the most friendly cyclists of cities. There are 1,428 km of routes dedicated to people who prefer riding on two wheels. The trails run through the Boulevards, numerous bridges, islands, charming promenades and parks, which do not lack historic monuments. You can go on a family trip along a 9-kilometer route along the Krzycka Promenade, where we will see numerous memorial sites and picturesque parks. To see the most important monuments, you can set off along route 1, starting at pl. Freedom and ending on the market. Another interesting proposition is Krakow with historical architecture and extensive bicycle infrastructure. Seeing the most important attractions of the Old Town, as well as the district of Kazimierz and the Vistula Boulevards, allows the loop around the old town (10 km).
What to pack?
Bikepacking usually lasts several days and takes place outside the city. Bikepacker takes the most necessary things with him and places them in panniers, bicycle bags and backpack. When starting your adventure with bikepacking, it is worth considering accommodation in hotels. What should those who already have their first trips have behind them and count on a survival adventure?
– During a few days bicycle trip, optimized equipment is crucial. It is worth taking a light, compact tent or hammock with tarp, and for sleeping a self -inflating mat or ultra -light inflatable. We choose the sleeping bag for the forecast temperature. For navigation, a dedicated GPS device with illuminated offline maps works best. Powerbank, headlamps, bicycle lamps and a spare inner tube, multitool, patches and pump are also necessary. The use of water bottles and bouquets than carrying random bottles works better on the road. It should be remembered that in bikepacking the packaging method is extremely important, because a well -distributed weight is not only convenience of driving, but also safety. Things we use rarely should be hidden deeper, and what can be useful during the day, such as a rain jacket, food, navigation, it’s good to always have at hand – emphasizes Maciej Dubas, blogger and owner of a bicycle store for children.
Where on tour?
Lovers of forest duct, interesting rock formations and castles should undeniably go along the bicycle trail of the Eagles’ Nests (length approx. 190 km, connects Krakow with Częstochowa, runs, among others, through the Ojców National Park) and twist the bike in Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowa. It is also worth visiting Podlasie, especially national parks (Biebrza, Narew), through which the Eastern Green Velo trail (2,000 km) leads and stretches through 5 provinces! Here on the route you can see picturesque villages, cities, forests and valleys of the rivers. Green Velo also runs through the Podkarpackie Voivodeship – it is worth going on a tour from Przemyśl (taking into account the route of former fortresses on the outskirts of the city) to Roztocze. And if we are closer to the north of the country, then the International EURO-VEO-VEFO 10 bicycle route runs around the sea, and its Polish part is Velo Baltica (540 HP). The route begins in Świnoujście, among others Through Kołobrzeg, Łeba and Tri -City, and ends in Elbląg. It leads through areas located near the sea, and sometimes even along the Baltic Sea. Abroad, in turn, the first routes should be made in Germany, to the Saxon trail of the wine, which runs along the Elbe River, among others through Dresden. In the Czech Republic it is definitely worth going to the rock city of Ardspach. If you are planning a trip to Italy, it is worth taking a bike with you and traveling around the beautiful Lake Garda.
What on bikepacking?
You can cover the route mainly on asphalt on a trekking bike, while in a more demanding area it is worth having a mountain bike or covering it with grave. If you plan to ride a muddy and sandy area, then Fatbike with wide tires will work.
