Balancing your load	School vacations
Credit versus debit cards	Short cords
Dos and Don'ts	Showers
Ergonomics of bike riding	Towels, sheets, soap
First aid kits	What to Bring along
Length of daily rides	Hotels and Zimmer
Packing light	Room reservations
Polite behavior	*Ferienwohnungen (FeWo) and Hostels*

Subjects that I plan to add but have been too lazy to type up yet include: Choosing bikes and cycling equipment for touring (suspension forks - lugs and bosses available to attach extra front panniers), Cycling equipment you need, Comfortable saddles, Cyclometers, Lights, Types of tires, Brakes, Handlebars, and How to navigate the paths. (All this extra work will be thanks to Jamie Alton's recent suggestions. In fact, he motivated me to add substantial text to this page.)

General Travel to Germany: Credit versus debit cards: From personal experience we know that Visa and MasterCharge credit cards are not much good in Germany. Instead, bring your debit cards and know your PIN number. Most hotels take credit cards, including American Express but few Pensionen or Privat Zimmer take any cards and if so, it will be a MasterCard. Individual people who advertise Zimmer Frei (rooms vacant) take only Euros in cash (bar Geld). Cash: Don't bring dollar bills over. Banks will not cash them for fear of counterfeiting. You will be sent to a special bank that can be found only in larger cities. Bring your debit card instead and remember to have some money in your account. This advice is valid only in Germany; France is quite different, we are told.

Some dos and don'ts: Do expect to have fun and don't bring an attitude. You are probably in a foreign country unless you are a German. We foreigners attract attention because we look and talk funny. Be polite, accommodating, and observant. Let me repeat, be polite, accommodating, and observant - it's important. You want to be invited back, right? For example, observe the local table manners and eating habits; try to emulate them. We have observed Americans who make Dagwood sandwiches out of German Kaltteller instead of eating things separately like the natives. And hamburgers, unlike Hamburger (citizens of Hamburg), are not native to Germany. If you want one go to McDonald's or Burger King; they aren't native either but they are readily found.

If you use the trains, study, don't just read, my Trains page; it contains very important tips and information. Also, check out the German laws page.

Underway: Obey all traffic laws; bicycles are a normal part of traffic. On the trail pass on the left and meet on coming traffic on the right side of the trail - just like cars on the road. If you have to get off and push, do so on the right side of the trail. Do obey any speed limit signs and stop signs, even on a bike. Any traffic from the right has the right-of-way unless you are on a main street (Hauptstrasse - marked with yellow diamonds).

Speaking of showers: Several years ago, the standard was to have the showers and WC in the hall, not in the room. As time past, tourists began paying more for the rooms with one or both of these conveniences in the room. The industry responded by accommodating these wishes where possible. Today, it is quite easy to find rooms with both in the room or at least exclusive use of the facilities. Private rooms are frequently advertised, “Zimmer Frei mit Dusche und WC.” Dusche is sometimes abbreviated as "Du." In the last few years, rooms that were too small or impossible to plumb for a shower have installed an ingenious self-contained shower/water heater/pump device. These are beautiful for the property owner because all you need to install them is a cold water supply line and a small drain line that does not have to go through the floor, in fact the drain line can go back up to the ceiling. These devices unfortunately require an advanced degree in electronics and mechanical engineering to operate. Or a little experience will suffice too. One must turn on the mechanism about 5 minutes before use to heat the water. Just before use, turn on the pump. Step in and fiddle with the handles. In one model, one handle will control the temperature; the other will turn the water on or off (after a few seconds delay). In another model – undoubtedly made because few of us were smart enough to operate the first type – the handles work like we have come to expect, one hot, the other cold and the more you crank them, the higher the pressure. However, in both cases, pressure is low.

Towels, sheets and soap: Only in Youth Hostels (Jugendherbergen) do you need your own towels and sheets nowadays. And in the hostels, you can normally rent or purchase them (a few hostels provide sheets and towels but you may have to make your own bed). Hostels sell paper sheets good for one or two uses. Soaps are a hit and miss thing. To be sure, bring your own soap, shampoo, etc.

School Vacations: Like in the USA, the tourist industry revolves around school vacations. If you are headed for a vacation spot during a school vacation, it might be wise to make reservations. To give you an idea, here is a sample schedule for some schools (OK, OK, so it's not for this year - I know, but with a little interpretation, you can apply it to this year):

School	Winter	Easter	Spring	Summer	Christmas
Berlin	2/1 to 2/9	3/23 to 4/6	5/10 to 5/21	7/4 to 8/17	12/23 to 1/3
Brandenburg	2/1 to 2/13	3/25 to 4/5	5/21 to 5/23	7/4 to 8/17	12/23 to 1/3
Mecklenburg	2/4 to 2/15	3/25 to 4/3	5/17 to 5/21	7/4 to 8/14	12/23 to 1/4
Sachsen	2/11 to 2/23	4/2 to 4/10	5/18 to 5/21	6/20 to 7/31	12/23 to 1/4
Thüringen	2/4 to 2/9	3/25 to 4/6	5/17 to 5/21	6/20 to 7/31	12/23 to 1/3

Holidays and other times it might be good to think about reservations can be easily found on the internet. Just put "German holidays, 2007" into your search engine window. For example, I found a list in a reliable site http://www.germany-info.org/relaunch/culture/life/holidays.html. Another place to check is on my German Culture page.

Pack light and prepare for rain: All paths have hills, at least small ones. So, the lighter you pack the better the hill climbing. Ladies, no one will fault you for not bringing along a hair dryer (unless you can get your partner to carry it). Take along a clothesline type cord (see below), a few clothespins and a small amount of laundry soap. Wash your biking clothes every night when possible.

In Germany, it rains. That’s why the country is so green and beautiful. On average, it rains at least once a day on twenty days a month. Sure, in the wet months it rains (or snows) as much as 23 days a month but even in July and August, it rains 18 days a month. With that fact established, you should know that it may only be a short shower and it may occur at night. We have ridden thousands of miles in Germany and I can count on one hand the number of times we have been thoroughly drenched. (OK, sure, we have been sprinkled upon many times but if I don’t put on a raincoat, it hasn’t rained.) But we both carry raincoats and even rain pants. I think the rain pants are overdoing it but they also work as a windbreaker when it gets cold. We have been known to ride as early as May and as late as October. It is possible to get into some chilly weather where gloves, ear protection, and windbreakers are nice things to have.

Short cords: In addition to using a short cord for a clothesline, cords frequently come in handy on the train or other public transportation. You can tie your loaded bike to almost anything to keep it from tipping over in a curve or when the conveyance stops suddenly. They don’t have to be anymore than ¼ inch in diameter and not more than 10 – 12 feet long. It has many uses. I don’t have rainproof panniers so I carry a large plastic garbage bag and I drape it over my panniers in wet weather and secure the bag with my cord.

First aid kits: I am a klutz. I keep falling over. I fell one day while traveling 18 mph just because my front tire slipped off the pavement briefly. If you are like me, you will need a first aid kit and some extra large Band-Aids for “road rash.” Enough said.

Balance your bike’s load: If the load is balanced front, rear, and side-to-side, handling your bike will be much easier and safer. On any trip that includes train stations, you may have to navigate stairs. We have even found stairs in the middle of nowhere to get up to a bridge crossing a river or a canal. You may also have to lift your bike waist high to get it into a train. I know some experienced riders who swear that front panniers are a necessity (I don’t use them even though I think they have a good point).

More on balance: A reader wrote me that she broke her leg stepping down from a rental bike that was a bit too big for her. The problem was exacerbated by using backpacks instead of panniers. The problem is the center of balance with backpacks is probably just below your shoulders, while the center of balance with panniers is at your knees. So, two lessons to be learned; use a bike that fits you, and use panniers.

Ergonomics of bicycle riding: This is the same in Taiwan as anywhere in the world. (The idea to provide this item came from a reader from Taiwan.) Those of you in the Over-Fifty-with-Bad-Knees Club probably prefer upright riding positions. Quite different than the guys in the Tour de France who are so bent over you can count their vertebrae. We older folks have bellies that just will not allow us to bend over like that longer than it takes to tie our shoes in the morning.

So, here are my tips on riding: Adjust the saddle so it is tilted ever so slightly forward. That will take some of the weight off your reproductive organs (interior and exterior and for both genders). Have a slightly forward upper body, which transfers a little weight from your butt to your hands. If you get tingly hands (from pressure on your carpal tunnel nerve) you can sit vertical for short distances and shake your hands. Maxa is always shaking her fingers at me and I just assume she has carpal tunnel syndrome. Adjust the seat height so that when your heel is on the pedal and the pedal is at the bottom of its stroke, your leg is fully extended (or you could lock your knee and unlock it with no effort). Ask someone you know to watch your butt as you pedal away from them. You should not wiggle in the saddle. If you do, your saddle is too high so lower it a centimeter until you stop. Keep the balls of your feet on the pedal, not your arches; it gives you some spring. While pedaling, move your knees straight up and straight down - like a piston. Don't let them swing out to the side. That sideways motion wastes energy that you will wish you had by the end of the day. If you have a handlebar that allows for it, change your hand position frequently to prevent fatigue in your hands, neck, and shoulders.

Lastly, and most importantly spin, spin, spin! What is spinning? Notice how fast professional bicyclists pedal. They probably average 100 strokes (revolutions or just "revs") per minute, exceeding 140 or more at times. Why? They need to conserve as must energy as possible for the long race. A classic comparison is Jan Ullrich and Lance Armstrong. Jan won the Tour de France once but Lance won it seven times. Lance spins, Jan does not. It simply takes fewer calories to pedal faster with less torque on the pedals than to slower with more torque. I find if you keep your revolutions at or above 80, you will reduce stress on your knees and reduce leg fatigue. To keep your revs up, shift frequently, especially as you ride up hill. You can easily count your revs. Count each time your right foot goes past the bottom of the cycle for 15 seconds, then multiply that number by four. Less than 60, you have a problem. Over 80, you are almost a pro. Over 95, you will be a pro. I have the hardest time convincing people of this simple technique. Nowadays, I don't even mention it until the third day when they start complaining of sore knees and weak thighs. Then, as politely as I know how (and Maxa says I need work on politeness), I suggest spinning. I get strange looks because it seems counter-intuitive that to save work, you pedal faster. But if they try it for a few days, they thank me.

Polite behavior on the trail: Meeting other bikers or walkers along the way, one frequently bids them a nice day. In German, you would say "Morgen" before noon, "Tag" after noon until about 8:00PM, "n'Abend" (short for guten Abend") from then on until morning. "Gute Nacht" is for when you go to bed (or home to bed). Other common greetings depend upon where you are in Germany. For example, north in East Friesland, you might hear "Moin Moin" almost any time of the day. In Schleswig-Holstein, you would hear just "Moin" (my brother-in-law says they are too lazy to say Moin Moin). In Bavaria you hear "Grüss Gott" all day long. You also might hear someone wish you "Mahlzeit" around noon in the south; it means about the same as "have a good lunch." Sometimes, you just hear "ein guten;" (short for guten Appetit). That is most of the greetings but I keep expanding my vocabulary in this area.

I carry tools galore with me because we frequently ride with bikes that other people maintain, or fail to maintain more accurately. So, when I pass someone who is currently engaged in some type of on the spot bicycle maintenance, such as changing a flat tire, I stop and ask if they have all the tools (Werkzeuge) they need. That might be carrying the cross an extra mile but others have stopped to help me on occasion so I just return the good deed. Seldom am I asked to help or lend a tool.

Length of daily rides: Maxa and I are over fifty (but under 70), so we enjoy riding 35 to 45 miles per day at a leisurely speed, stopping for sights and bakeries (can't you tell from my side profile?). Some of our readers are younger and/or more athletic. They can ride 50 to 100 miles per day though I don't know why they want to. Other readers are a little older and may be happy with 15 to 25 miles per day. One reader had a great idea of renting a station wagon, staying in a vacation apartment or a hotel and riding out, and then taking the train or other public transportation back to their accommodation. Then after that area was explored, they would pack up and move everything to the next accommodation and do it all over again. I like that idea very much and we will no doubt be doing that before we hang up the bikes for good.

What to bring on your tour: On the What to bring page on this website I discuss at length. There I discuss panniers (bike bags), maps, tools, bike locks, plastic bags, rain covers, spare inner tube, bicycle tire pump, clothing and raingear, first aid kits, and a bunch of other items.

Hotels, Zimmer, Ferienwohnungen (FeWo) and Hostels: I mention these terms a lot on the individual tours but in case you have missed that, here it is again. The best place to stay is a Zimmer the word simply means a room. It is both singular and plural; so ein Zimmer, zwei Zimmer. When you see a 'Zimmer' sign, it means that they have at least one room for rent to travelers. Not only are these inexpensive but with just a little effort, you will be able to engage the owners in conversation. The right questions will direct you to a good restaurant, give you a little history of the village, help you find the best bicycle paths, direct you to the post office, etc., etc. In our experience, these accommodations are 98% clean and comfortable. However if you are unsure, just ask to see the room before you decide. If it is too dusty, there is probably a cleaner one down the path. We have had exceptional luck with those Zimmer that are uphill from where we would otherwise stay.; if only because of the view. We have had bad luck with accommodations anywhere near railroad tracks. Freight trains are the worst and they can run at night. Busy roads can cause you to sleep lightly too. We have only had limited experience with youth hostels. In Bavaria, unlike the rest of Germany, you have to be under 26 years of age to stay in a hostel. However, the rest of Germany is open to people of all ages and some are even catering to us older ex-hippies by creating more rooms for two travelers and putting part or whole bathrooms in the room. Check the German Youth Hostel website (out their website Deutsche Jugendherberge at www.djh.de). Click on the British flag for the English version.

Ferienwohnungen (FeWo): These are vacation apartments. They are frequently suites of rooms including a kitchen, living room, bath, and at least one bedroom. One usually rents a FeWo for several days or weeks, seldom for only one day. Sometimes a sign will say something like FeWo / Zimmer Frei which may mean that both are available or simply that they have a suite and it can be rented for one night or several nights. The one night rate will be slightly more expensive - laundry and cleanup is more labor intensive. However, if there are no Zimmer available, don't be shy about asking if a FeWo can be rented for just one night. If the stars are aligned, there is no reservation, the owners do not mind the extra work, and they want the extra income that one night will bring, then you are in luck.

More information on reservations suggested by one of our frequent readers, Norm Ford. He suggests making advance reservations and claims to have done so successfully many times. His recommendation is Reisen mit Preisen, which can be reached through this link: http://www.reisenmitpreisen.de. According to Norm, they cover 90% of the accommodations in Germany and do not charge for their service. I haven't tried Reisen mit Preisen so I can't say but Norm is quite experienced as you can see from his website: http://home.ktc.com/blodwen/.

Room reservations: It is probably a good idea to make a reservation for the first night in Germany. When you arrive, you will probably be experiencing some level of jet lag. That is the feeling you get when you are dead tired and ready for bed but someone wants to serve you breakfast because the sun just came up.

It may also be a good plan to reserve a room for the last night before your plane leaves too. Those of you who bring your own bike will probably want the first and last night to be at the same hotel because you may be able to arrange to deposit the box and packing material for your bicycle with the hotel while you are on your tour.

We don’t normally make reservations for ourselves during a tour. However, we make exceptions when there are very few choices of accommodations or if everything seems to be already booked. Normally, we want to have the freedom of spending as much time as we want sightseeing along the way. Some days we might feel like putting in 20 miles, others 50. It depends on the weather, the sightseeing opportunities, the condition of the path, and the number of hills we have to climb. It even might depend on how much we ate for lunch.

The other consideration in making advance reservations is that one cannot see the accommodation. We have stayed in a couple places that we would rather not stay in again. The circumstances around those incidents vary but nowadays, we prefer to inspect the room before we agree to rent it.

Underway, we like to start looking for a room around 4:00 PM and certainly not later than 6:00 PM. If the available rooms are going to be absorbed, everyone will be settled by 6:00 PM.

We prefer private rooms in private homes. These are usually called Zimmer or Privat Zimmer. You will see the signs indicating Zimmer Frei. Directly translated, it means room or rooms available or vacant. They are normally listed with the tourist information service in the community but sometimes there is only a small sign on the house or on the fence. You have to ask whether the Dusche (shower) and the WC (toilet or water closet) are in the room or in the hall. You also have to inquire if breakfast is included. The next step up in price a Pension or a Hotel Garni. These are small hotels and the concept behind a Hotel Garni is that there are no extra services, e.g., breakfasts (although, that too seems to be changing because we have found several Hotel Garni that include breakfasts). Lastly, there are Hotels and they normally do include breakfast in Europe.

Revised: March 30, 2008