Touring - Czech Republic anyone?

I decided this week upon graduation I am going to the Czech Republic to do a bike tour after I graduate in 26 years :o Wondering if anyone has done this before? I've been there before and loved it and desperately have wanted to go back ever since, and I figure that this is the perfect way. I'm somewhat familiar with the geography, culture, etc but is this a doable ride? I'm not sure how good the roads are, or how safe or anything like that. Also anyone know if they have hostels? Would camping be possible?

Thanks any info is helpful.

Jon

I have friend studying in Prague.
I'll send her your post. Maybe she could clarify something.

Best regards.

I've never been to the Czech Reb, but I spent time in neigboring Slovakia last year. (although not by bike). I highly recommend touring thru Slovakia. The road conditions are mixed, but I spied plenty of camping spots. The High Tatras Mts are a MUST see! There are mt hostels there. Towns recommended: Bratislava, Zvolen, Banska Bistrica, Stary Smokevec, etc. I think whole country is a hidden treasure, cheap to travel thru, hardly any tourists! Awesome time! You wont regret it.

Also anyone know if they have hostels? Would camping be possible?

Thanks any info is helpful.

Jon

Maybe this could help you some:

Quote:

As you know, I have been living in Prague for nearly 4 months now. Although I haven't spent a lot of time outside of Prague, I have had a chance to visit Marienske Lazne (aka Marienbad), Cesky Krumlov, Olomouc, and Brno. From what I have seen of the Czech Republic, I would say that a bike trip is definitely doable. The borders of the CR have mountains/hills that may be challenging, but the interior of the country isn't terribly hilly. And the scenery would certainly be nice. It's already quite warm and it's only April. I asked one of my students today what she thought and she seemed to think that it's doable. There may be a few places where the roads are not great, but it's also possible to buy books or maps here about cycling around, so I'm sure you could use those to help plan your trip. The hostels I have stayed in so far have been quite nice. I highly recommend the Poet's Corner in Olomouc... it was lovely! I think that camping is also possible. Let me know if you have any other questions! : )

Amanda
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Good luck with your tours.
Mikhail.

Maybe this could help you some:

Quote:

As you know, I have been living in Prague for nearly 4 months now. Although I haven't spent a lot of time outside of Prague, I have had a chance to visit Marienske Lazne (aka Marienbad), Cesky Krumlov, Olomouc, and Brno. From what I have seen of the Czech Republic, I would say that a bike trip is definitely doable.

Amanda
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Good luck with your tours.
Mikhail.

Thanks so much for your help with this... I was in Janske Lazne when I was there, but also had a few days to tour Prague. Looking at a map now I think if I do this I will expand the tour to Poland and Slovakia as well. The only problem now is finding a partner to do this... a few of my friends are casually interested in cycling but they maybe do 40mi in a month when I do about 100 a week. Oh well, plenty of time to work out details. I also have a few people I can maybe stay with along the route too since my friends have relatives/friends over there.

Yeah, totally! Those countires have really rich history and architecture is superb.
I would have a chance, I would definitely like to explore South Eastern Europe.

Good luck on the tris!

Czech AND Slovakia are totally doable. We (wife and I) did it coming down the Danube (Donau) out of Austria. Bratislava is awesome with great contrast between the Russian era part of the city and the original medieval style. The country is easy to bike through, but no one speaks English in the towns. We free camped more than two weeks behind hedges, in forests, along rivers outside of the towns. There seemed to be no one living outside of small villages. Border crossings into Slovakia and Czech were a breeze. The roads were usually good, but we did have some very rocky paths through real oak forests. Any maps we used seemed outdated but our compass came in handy. The mountains around Karlsbad were not too high but endless with lots of rain (July '97). Beer was incredibly cheap, something like 25 cents a pint, and excellent. Grocery stores were often hard to find, one per town, and were called "potravini" or something like that. We'd have to choose between one type of bread and two types of goose pate. Cheap though. Would I go back? In a minute. Good luck!

Czech AND Slovakia are totally doable. We (wife and I) did it coming down the Danube (Donau) out of Austria. Bratislava is awesome with great contrast between the Russian era part of the city and the original medieval style. The country is easy to bike through, but no one speaks English in the towns. We free camped more than two weeks behind hedges, in forests, along rivers outside of the towns. There seemed to be no one living outside of small villages. Border crossings into Slovakia and Czech were a breeze. The roads were usually good, but we did have some very rocky paths through real oak forests. Any maps we used seemed outdated but our compass came in handy. The mountains around Karlsbad were not too high but endless with lots of rain (July '97). Beer was incredibly cheap, something like 25 cents a pint, and excellent. Grocery stores were often hard to find, one per town, and were called "potravini" or something like that. We'd have to choose between one type of bread and two types of goose pate. Cheap though. Would I go back? In a minute. Good luck!

Great info! I remember fondly downing pint after pint of Pilsner Urquell when I was there, as it was cheaper than bottled water, and substantially more tasty! I am thinking the bike I build for the trip may be a "touring cross bike". Something with touring geometry, either dirtdrops or a flat bar+bar ends (for hand positions), and like a WTB Mutanoraptor 700x44c tyre. Big but still fairly light to keep the rotational mass down. Hmmm... I gotta pay off my other two bikes before I do too much thinking here though!

Yeah, I've had Pilsner Urquell over there...not my fave, but not bad. Slovakia had some great beer... I roughly converted the price of a "16oz" bottle to $.85-$1.00 (at a bar) and .10-.20 cents (at supermarkets!) Not only is it so cheap, but more alcohol! (btw 10-12%) You'll be sh#t-faced for less than 5 bucks! Might want to consider carrying a cooler w/ ice on your bike rack...haha

BTW: I also recommened going to Hungary; Budapest is an awesome city! Where ever you go, look to younger people & teens for directions, the older crows rarely speaks English...

Here's another reason to go: the roads are lined with fruit trees of every kind. People pull over and climb trees and pick cherries, plums etc, although when we biked through, the pears and apples weren't ready yet (too bad!). So that's what we did. One night we camped behind a hedge which was full of little plums and we must have eaten 200+. Don't ask about our digestion that night. As well, we often came across raspberry or bramble bushes and their little snacks fell victim to our voracious appetites. So if you like fruit, check the maturation times of your favorite ones and plan your trip accordingly.
One hint: stay away from Roman roads (which are essentially cobblestones) or any similar paths anywhere in Europe: they will change your mood in a big hurry. Even some town squares are easier to be walked through than cycled. If you ride, your fillings might fall out and your bike will rattle apart in no time.

I decided this week upon graduation I am going to the Czech Republic to do a bike tour after I graduate in 26 years :o Wondering if anyone has done this before? I've been there before and loved it and desperately have wanted to go back ever since, and I figure that this is the perfect way. I'm somewhat familiar with the geography, culture, etc but is this a doable ride? I'm not sure how good the roads are, or how safe or anything like that. Also anyone know if they have hostels? Would camping be possible?

Thanks any info is helpful.

Jon

Hi Jon,

First thing to help u out: when u get off the plane, go to one of the main superstores like Carefour, Hypernova, Tesco, look in their bookdepartment for maps. U´ll find there quite a selection of detailed map (the best used for off-road biking-trails) but they also do sell a road-atlas for cyclist for the whole Czech. These are short and long distance tracks, with perfect signs, can´t miss them. The Czechies are bike-minded, like us Dutchies (I residing here and on my bike whenever I can). Campings (cheap!!) and/or hostels are nearly everywhere and not too expensive. For a bike I´d advise you to take a "trekking" or a hard-tail MTB (because you´ll prob be carring lugage). Furthermore on every corner u´ll find a shop with spare parts. Try to avoid main roads, because they still can´t drive here... If u want more info let me know. Either on or off-road u´ll have a good stay for sure...
dutchbiker