Why?
So many people have asked me that before, during, and after long distance rides that the responses become almost automatic: why not? because it’s there; to see if I can. I realised when pondering what to mention in summing up this particular tour that it’s perhaps the first ride where that question has an actual, specific answer. Or two answers really: because I’ve visited Munich twice by bike and experienced almost none of it; and because I could combine that with visiting buddies Christopher and Benjamin. So yeah, an actual purpose for a ride. What a novelty. Something else I realised when putting my thoughts together for this parting piece was another very different aspect to other rides. It was actually Type 1 fun. Without the pressure of event cutoffs, and with a slower than usual pace, I was enjoying it in the moment.
Beergardens, Bike Riding and Surfers
And, thanks to the boundless hospitality of the guys, I got to savour so many parts of local Munich life – a major highlight of which has to be how we spent Sunday. Ice cold pils, Weißwurst and brezn (pretzel) with sweet Bavarian mustard for breakfast. And later on (once my bike was packed into a box that Benjamin had spare), an afternoon jaunt for ice cream and then on to the Englischer Garten – beers, a band, and buying fish to take home for dinner from a guy cooking them over coals in the park. No longer able to ride my own bike, all of this was done on Danielle’s city bike which she lent me. A fun and different experience. It was one of those days you’ll never forget.
Which is not to diminish any of the other parts of the few days I spent with them – especially the new games they introduced me to, a couple of which have now become firm family favourites. Plus I got to meet their boy Theo. He’d arrived the Christmas after we all met on NC4K, and was well on the way to enjoying some cycling himself as he rode happily along behind in their Thule baby buggy.
Before the bike packing away, Christopher and I also snuck in a quick local ride too on the Friday. A local favourite of his around a nearby lake (map below). A perfect wind down ride, with at least three stops I can remember (lunch, ice cream, and cake). Although now I think on it, I vaguely recall we ended up way early for our train back to the city (German trains are very bike friendly) and went for “fruit juice” at a lakeside place beyond the platform. Only on the train back did I mention to Christopher I was feeling a little light headed and maybe his riding pace had been a shade quicker than the routine I’d got used too. He laughed and pointed out that whilst yes, it was a coffee and juice stand, they were also licensed and what we had ordered were proper cocktails. That explained the buzz.
On the way back from the station we also passed a sight I’d never have expected – surfing in a Munich park
Apparently the spot had been closed for a while after a tragic accident, and had only re-opened that day. Hence it was packed with surfers, onlookers, and a couple of camera crews. Definitely quite a sight, which we stood and took in for a while before heading home
There’s so many other aspects I could rave about, but really, better still try it for yourself. Munich is a fabulous city, especially by bike, and the route to get there sticks in my mind as one of the best I’ve ever ridden. For so much of it I was on paths or trails away from cars, or quiet lanes with almost no traffic. And the sights along the way were a perfect blend of pleasantly ordinary and whatever lies beyond breathtaking. The only part you’d probably want to change is Paris. I had a plan and reasons to go around North, and it worked out fine for what I needed. I still wouldn’t personally ride through the middle – but if you’ve not visited before it’s a chance to take in two great cities in one trip.
For 2026, there is the small matter of the “rest of the Rhein” which remains unfinished business from my original Munich route plan. More on that later though, for now thanks for following along.