Baltic Sea Cycle Route Experiences

Baltic Sea Cycle Route Experiences

by | August, 2020 | Allgemein, Short Vacation | 2 comments

Basic about the baltic sea cycle route

The Baltic Sea Cycle Route or Baltic Sea Coastal Cycle Route was the result of a very brief discussion about Corona and safe and enjoyable holidays. We always wanted to go on a cycling holiday anyway and so it was obvious to take this beautiful cycle path from Flensburg to Travemünde on the coastline of Schleswig-Holstein in the north of Germany. You can read on this blog post about the different sections of the Baltic Sea Coastal Cycle Route along the Schleswig-Holstein coast and also our recommendation for stopovers and places of interest. Spoiler: after just about 360 kilometres on the bike, we can already say in advance that it was one of our greatest holidays. The Baltic Sea Cycle Route is, by the way, part of the European Cycle Route EV10, which leads you once around the Baltic Sea with a total distance of almost 8000 kilometres. If you already like this short part, you can of course extend the route around the Baltic Sea much further.

Preparations for the cycle tour on the Baltic Sea Cycle Route

Before we talk about the individual sections, we would like to tell you a little bit about the preparations. We have planned the route in advance using Google Maps and Naviki. Google Maps already has a great navigation for cyclists. The app Naviki (Playstore Link / iOs Link) is especially designed for route planning by bike. The combination of both apps has really helped us a lot.

 

Bicycles, e-bikes and pedelecs on the Baltic Sea Coast Cycle Route

On the way it will be very hilly and probably more hilly than you would imagine Schleswig-Holstein and the Baltic Sea coast. We are travelling with pedelecs ourselves. There was a small, pleasant advantage with the pedelecs in the form of electrical support. In contrast to other tours, the advantages of the motors were particularly evident here. Especially during the first stages we were at the upper end of the battery range of our bikes. So in flat sections we usually rode with less assistance to save battery power. Only on the hilly sections we used the full support. In all accommodations it was possible to charge the battery in the evening without problems. An anecdote by the way: an accommodation listed by the ADFC wanted to charge 3 Euro each for charging the battery. Sorry, but that is going too far.

Booking.com

 Hotels and guesthouses – Accommodation at the Baltic Sea cycle track

Due to Corona and limited hotel capacity, we recommend that you plan your route in advance. Our initial idea was to book the hotels or guesthouses spontaneously along the Baltic Sea Cycle Route, which did not make sense after a short check 2-3 weeks in advance. Without a booking, the offers are limited and expensive. With a tent in your backpack, you will certainly be much more flexible with the many campsites along the Baltic Sea Cycle Route.

Our journey to the Ostseeradweg

We travelled to Flensburg by train, which worked very easily so far. Make sure that you have enough time to change trains at the stations. Especially on weekends with a lot of traffic, 20 – 30 minutes with a packed bike and the available lifts at the stations are not a long time. With the “Quer durchs Land” ticket for two persons and two bicycle day tickets the journey cost 62€. Unbeatable cheap compared to travelling by car and the related parking fees etc.

Bicycle and luggage – one week Baltic Sea coast cycle track

About the luggage: we took our stuff in two medium sized bags (Affiliate Link to Amazon: Ortlieb and Vaude bags ). In retrospect, we honestly had too much luggage for the one week on the Baltic Sea cycle route. The weights were 11 and 14 kilos, which was already packed relatively luxuriously. With the next tours we would reduce the weight again substantially. In all accommodations we could have also washed the bike clothes in order to save more weight. Let us consider it as part of the learning curve 😉

Panoramabild Ostseeradweg

Our seections on the Baltic Sea Cycle Route

Section 1 from Flensburg to Maasholm – approx. 65 km

After a trip of almost three hours we reach Flensburg by train. From the train station we first go quite directly into the city centre towards Hafendamm and then on the right side of the harbour directly onto the Baltic Sea cycle route. A small sign with the inscription “Ostseeküstenradweg Schleswig-Holstein” should always (mostly) show you the way. After a short start at the waterfront we ride relatively fast through the city again until we reach Glücksburg after a few kilometers. In Glücksburg the first stop is at the water castle. Alternatively, and just as we did: directly at the promenade with a view of the Flensburg Fjord. Our motivation was high and so we continued quickly through the Pirner See nature reserve towards Bockholm, Langballigholz and then on towards Niby.

On these first kilometers you don’t get in contact with the Baltic Sea very often, but fortunately this changes much on the further way. The way leads via Norgaardholz passing the Steinberg Haff and then follows the Baltic Sea directly. In the truest sense of the word: the Baltic Sea cycle path. After just about 65 kilometres we reached our guesthouse near the village of Gut Oehe near Maasholm, satisfied and happy. The conclusion of the first day: Schleswig-Holstein is a very hilly state and the Baltic Sea coast cycle route is already a very great experience. For your planning, we recommend accommodation in Maasholm (Affiliate Link – Booking – Maasholm). Maasholm is located directly on the Schlei and is an old fishing village with beautiful alleys. Especially in the evening hours a great place to relax on the waterfront.

 

Section 2 from Gut Oehe to Altenholz close to Kiel – approx. 80 kilometres

With charged batteries we started on day 2 after an extensive breakfast on the Baltic Sea cycle route again. First break: the small town of Kappeln on the Schlei. It was still too early for a coffee stop and so we went directly on towards Olpenitz village. Our first stopover after a few beautiful kilometers along the Baltic Sea was the holiday resort Damp. Apart from a big ugly hotel complex there are also some nice cafés in Damp at the harbour, which are very good for a stopover. Highly motivated we went on towards Eckernförde (about 40 kilometres). We were told that many cyclists on the Baltic Sea cycle route also stop over in Eckernförde for an overnight stay. (Affiliate Link – Booking Hotels in Eckernförde) On the other side of the Eckernförde bay we continued via Grünwold, Schwedeneck and Dänisch Nienhof towards Altholz in front of Kiel.

Section 3 from Altholz to Lütjenburg on the Baltic Sea cycle path – approx. 75 kilometres

After the first two great sections we hadn’t thought that we would see any further improvements on the Baltic Sea cycle route. Section 3 convinced us then completely. Directly after our start we crossed the Kiel Canal on the Holtenauer high bridge. Alternatively, you could also cross the canal directly by ferry, which starts in Holtenau. Surprisingly, on one of the most frequented channels worldwide there was absolutely no operation at all this morning. The detour to the viewing point at the eastern part of the channel was therefore not worth it. From the Kiel canal we headed along the Kieler Fjord towards Kiel city centre. If you orientate yourself at the waterside you can cycle directly along the “Kiellinie“, a kind of promenade, into the city centre.
From the distance you can already see the ferries to the Baltic and Scandinavia, which leave directly from the piers in the city centre. On the other side of the Kieler Fjord you will discover large shipyards and industrial areas, which also characterize the cityscape of Kiel.

Via Heikendorf and a short stop at the submarine memorial Möltenort we continued our journey in direction to Laboe. Also in Laboe there is a navy memorial and an exhibited submarine, which you can visit. The route now leads you from Heikendorf only in the direct surroundings of the Baltic Sea so that the Baltic Sea cycle track lives up to its name. In some places the official cycle route will lead you back inland. At these places we often continued on the way directly at the water, which was also good to cycle in most cases.

Along the coast via Wenndorfer Strand the cycle path also leads along the small towns of California and Brazil. After a few more beautiful kilometres along the Baltic Sea, the cycle path near Hohenfelde takes us back inland. With a last view of the Baltic Sea at Hohwacht we headed towards Lütjenburg to complete the third day. This section of the tour from Flensburg to Travemünde on the Baltic Sea cycle route is certainly one of the most beautiful sections for us.

Section 4 from Lütjenburg to Burg on Fehmarn – approx. 65 km

The hilly end of section 3 also meant a hilly start in section 4, and we wanted to finally tie up directly at our exit point at the Baltic Sea in Hohwacht in the morning. Said and done, and so we went in Hohwacht through the Sehlendorfer Binnensee nature reserve and directly back onto the Baltic Sea cycle route. This section should also be as exciting as the previous sections with the Baltic Sea, hills and forests. After a few kilometres we reach Weißenhäuser Strand, a resort that certainly has seen its best days a couple of years ago. Immediately after Weißenhäuser Strand, the cycle path turns inland for a short while due to an area of the German Armed Forces, so that we could only reach the Baltic Sea again via Holstein in East Holstein and Teschendorf. You will notice that the towns on this section are already much bigger and more touristic than the small fishing villages on the first two sections.

After a short break directly at the Baltic Sea, you will head directly to Heiligenhafen. Our first impression of Heiligenhafen was quite sobering, as we have been welcomed directly by a building complex from the 70s at the entrance of the village. This is supposed to be a great holiday resort? It’s best to continue directly at the coast. You will quickly reach the newer and much more beautiful Heiligenhafen, which shows a completely different picture.Take your time for the pier Heiligenhafen and the small pedestrian zone and then ride to the port of Heiligenhafen. You will see many small restaurants and cafés where you can stop for a break. Our recommendation in Heiligenhafen is the Imbiss Ostsee-Fischer, which serves super delicious fried fish. Well refreshed we made our way from Heiligenhafen to Großenbrode on the Fehmarnbelt.

We had already crossed the Fehmarnsund bridge several times by car but never by bike. The arquitect of the Fehmarnsund-Bridge probably did not have a bicycle and therefore, he did not plan to cross the bridge by bike. So you go on a service track to the bridge and there on a rudimentary bicycle path over the bridge. After crossing the Fehmarnsund we were already very close to our destination Burgstaarken on Fehmarn and the last kilometres cycled on their own.

Stopover in Burg on Fehmarn

We used day 4 for a stopover in Burg on Fehmarn. From the port of Burgstaarke it is about 2 km to the city centre of Burg and about one and a half km to the south beach. The village of Burgtiefe can easily be identified even from a distance by the three “beautiful” hotel complexes, which are now even listed as protected buildings. In the seventies, this complex was an architectural masterpiece. From the beach with a view to the Fehmarnsund, these ugly buildings fortunately do not block the view. We spent the day very relaxed in Burg and at the south beach. If you are highly motivated, the official Baltic Sea cycle route takes you another hundred kilometres along the coast of Fehmarn. We have saved this bonus round for a future holiday. 😊

Section 5 from Burg to Pelzerhaken – approx. 63 kilometres

Crossing the Fehmarnsund Bridge did not change on the return trip. There was no major cycle path built overnight. South of Großenbrode we keep along the Baltic Sea and pass the holiday resort Dahme via small villages like Sanaa and Süßau, pass the villages Kellenhusen and Grömitz before we arrive via Rettin in Pelzerhaken. On this section you will already see the much larger and well-known holiday resorts. The Baltic Sea cycle route often passes these places by completely without notice. Nevertheless take your time and get off your bike to have a look at the promenades of the villages.

Section 6 from Pelzerhaken to Travemünde – about 30 kilometres

The last section of our tour along the Baltic Sea Cycle Route should also be the shortest section. The route led along the Lübeck bay from Pelzerhaken via Neustadt, Sierksdorf, Haffkrug, Scharbeutz, Timmendorfer Strand, Niendorf and the Brodtener cliffs to Travemünde. The cycle path along the bay is very well prepared. The holiday resorts along the bay are strung together like a string of pearls and are directly connected to each other.

The last stage is characterised by the image of the large holiday resorts and their wide beaches. The Brodtener steep coast offers a natural contrast here. After nearly 360 kilometres we have reached our destination on the wide promenade of Travemünde. The place is a great ending for this holiday. You can certainly make a good stopover here before continuing eastwards on the other side of the Trave on the Baltic Sea cycle path.

From Travemünde station, which is only a few hundred meters away from the beach, we went back the next day by train with no problems. In the Lübeck Bay it is also much easier to find accommodation than on the first stages. Just look for hotels in Travemünde via the following link (affiliate link to Booking.com – no extra costs for you)

One week holiday on the bike – Review Baltic Sea Cycle Route

If you are considering a cycling vacation, we can warmly recommend the Baltic Sea cycle route from Flensburg to Travemünde. We have been surprised in a very positive way. On the first sections you will cycle through incredibly beautiful landscapes and see many small villages. On the last sections, the scenery will be much more touristic, which will also guarantee a lot of variety. The Baltic Sea cycle route is relatively well signposted and on most routes well prepared. If we would ride the tour again we would set the stops a little bit different. For overnight stay we would then consider bigger places like Eckernförde or Kiel. After a week on the bike, we are convinced that we will be able to enjoy a cycling holiday in the future and are looking forward to the next tours, about which you can certainly read here. Maybe the Weser cycle path is also something for you? Just have a look here…

Which cycling holidays have you done and what can you recommend? Just tell us about it in the comments!

 

We like to recommend you following items for your time on the Baltic Sea route, which will help you for sure.

Sunscreen. The constant light wind hides the sun’s power.

Bicycle repair kit. There is nothing more annoying than standing in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire.

Brackets for mobile phones. This will make navigation easy and even snapshots on the road can be taken quickly.

German Weser Cycle Path Experience by Pedelec

German Weser Cycle Path Experience by Pedelec

by | September, 2018 | Allgemein, Bremen, Citytrip, Cycle Path, Travel Planning | 0 comments

Experiences on the German Weser River Cycle Path by Pedelec

[Article contains advertising – all self-tested and approved]

In recent years we have always smiled at the pedelec or simply the colloquial e-bike and joined the chorus of the most common preconceptions:

  • we are still too young for e-bikes
  • E-bikes are only for unathletic people
  • Riding e-bikes without pedaling
  • E-bikes are not fast enough
  • much too expensive for a bicycle

After almost 2000 km we have ridden so far, we change sides and ask ourselves why we have not bought an e-bike (pedelec) earlier. We have made our first rides on the Weser cycle path. Before the actual report about our pedelec experiences on the Weser river cycle path, we would like to answer general questions that we also asked ourselves before we bought our great pedelecs.

Why did we buy a pedelec?

Lack of sport, frequent traffic jams on the way to work at a relatively short distance and the possibility to commute by bike without sweating were the biggest arguments for the purchase of a pedelec. The decision took some time. After a test drive with a pedelec, the purchase was quickly decided. Maybe this article is also helpful for you when deciding to buy an e-bike or pedelec.

Let’s start with the most common questions we’ve asked ourselves:

What is the difference between an e-bike and a pedelec or S-Pedelec?

All wheels are motorized. The difference lies in the type of support. With a pedelec the motor support stops at 25 km/h and with the faster S-Pedelec at speeds of 45 km/h. The S-Pedelec must therefore be insured like a moped in Germany and may not be used on cycle paths (cost insurance approx. 70 euros /year). The supposed speed advantage is also to the biggest disadvantage of the S-Pedelec: You have to ride with it on the road and cycle paths are usually taboo. With Pedelec and S-Pedelec you have to pedal constantly to get the motor support. The actual e-bike rides like a moped without pedal support. Also here you need an insurance plate and you are not allowed to ride on bike paths any more. In addition, it is compulsory to wear a helmet on an e-bike. The term e-bike is generally used for all three types.

How fast does a pedelec go?

The pedelec is basically as fast as you pedal. The engine support stops at 25 km/h. If you drive faster, you kick “alone”. With Yamaha and Bosch engines, you have minimal friction from the engine at higher speeds. After the first 2000 km we can say that the normal support is enough for us.

The cycle paths are often not so great, so a speed of almost 25 km/h is completely sufficient. If you are thinking about changing from car to bike, a self-test on the way to work will give you the best insight. You will probably find that you will not be riding your normal bike at an average of 25 km/h (unless you are a racing cyclist or come to work with a tongue hanging and panting). Depending on support and route we are also on the next question:

Fahrradstraße - auf dem Weser-Radweg die Autobahn der Radfahrer

How far can I get with a pedelec?

The question about the range of the pedelec we asked ourselves again and again before the purchase. There is no clear answer to this question, as too many parameters can simply affect the range. In general, of course, the performance of the battery has a significant influence at first. The most common versions have 300, 400 or 500 Wh. Simply said: the higher the battery power, the longer the range and less often the battery needs to be charged. We therefore focussed directly for bicycles with a 500 Wh battery. Range is still determined by your driving style and comfort. In the lowest support levels (Eco + mode of the Yamaha PW motor) the range is indicated with up to 200 km. The stronger the motor, the higher the power consumption of the battery.

After our previous tours we usually use the standard support (Yamaha range 100 km) or Sport (Bosch CX engine: 90 km). Honestly, our motivation determines more the range of the bike tour and less the battery performance.

Just ask yourself how often you drive tours with a distance of 70 to 80 km or more? As normal riders we can reach relatively long distances with the pedelecs without much effort, which we would never have ridden with a normal bike. Incidentally, headwind and hilly roads are pulling hard on the battery power… You should pay attention to properly inflated tires, otherwise the “consumption” will also increase. Which brings us to the next question:

How often do I need to charge the battery of my pedelec?

The displays of the pedelecs show you relatively exactly how full the “tank” still is. Loading your pedelec is a simple procedure. Usually you can charge the battery directly at the bicycle or even directly, when removed from your bicycle. The chargers from Yamaha and Bosch are relatively compact (smaller would of course be even nicer), so you can take them with you on tours lasting several days. The charging time for our pedelec batteries is approx. 4 hours. You can recharge the battery overnight and would be 100% ready to start again in the morning (at least your bike).

The manufacturers guarantee 500 charging cycles with constant performance. After about 1000 cycles the battery should no longer function properly, according to the dealer. If the dealer’s information is more or less correct, then we should be able to achieve approx. 60 – 70,000 km mileage with one battery. That’s a lot of time you spend on the saddle. By the way, the electricity costs for one charge amount to approx. 15 cents. Just for fun, compare how far you can get with your car when you fill up 15 cents…

Insurance for pedelec or e-bike?

Especially since a pedelec, S-Pedelec or e-bike is more expensive than a “normal” bicycle, we recommend that you check the conditions of your household insurance again. It may well be that your household insurance does not necessarily cover the value of the pedelec.

There are now some insurance companies that offer special (and affordable) e-bike full cover insurance. It may make sense to take out supplementary insurance. Be sure to read the terms and conditions. Some insurance companies specify the type of bicycle lock. For us, Abus folding locks are sufficient, which are compactly mounted on the bicycle and should provide good protection.

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Which pedelec is the right one for me?

For the right choice of pedelec you have to do many test rides. Take your time to compare different bicycles and motors. For example, we ride trekking bikes with the Bosch CX motor and the Yamaha PW motor. Both motors have their advantages and disadvantages: The Bosch motor has a power of 75 Nm and the Yamaha motor “only” 70 Nm.  During acceleration, the Bosch motor also gets off to a quick start with the control system. You only pedal a little and the motor accelerates. The acceleration also begins very directly.

Yamaha or Bosch motor or something completely different?

With the Yamaha motor, acceleration is slightly slower. In comparison, it looks as if the Yahama motor reacts a little more comfortably. Once you are travelling at cruising speed (and it’s really very fast) the motors don’t really differ anymore. Both manufacturers also offer simpler motors that are less powerful. We were not really pleased with the weak motors, as the price differences were small. Other manufacturers are Shimano or Brose, which we have not tested any more.

If you buy two pedelecs you should consider carefully whether you choose the same motor manufacturer for your pedelec. It can make sense, for example, to exchange batteries with each other for different remaining running times or to take only one charger with you on the tour. The batteries and chargers from Bosch and Yamaha are not compatible to each other, which has already proved to be a disadvantage on one or the other track.

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Do I need a bicycle helmet for a pedelec?

At the beginning we were very sceptical about the helmet. Impractical and just “why” was our attitude to the “eggshell”, which we have never worn on the normal bike. After a few kilometres it quickly became clear that such a helmet could be relatively practical and that the purchase would be disproportionate to a head injury and its possible effects. Meanwhile, we can no longer imagine normal cycling without a helmet. We strongly recommend that you wear a helmet to protect your head. That you’ll never need it!

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What does a pedelec cost?

You can buy pedelecs everywhere. Discounters and DIY stores offer bikes for less than 1000 euros. The prices for pedelecs are, of course, higher than those of conventional bicycles. In our experience, you should think carefully about the purpose for which you want to use your bike. If you save here on the wrong end, you will probably not enjoy your new pedelec.

The very cheap bicycles usually only have weak batteries and even weaker motors and components (brakes, gear shift, etc.). Spend a little more so that you can ride a good bike and have a lot of fun with it.

Also take a close look at the equipment of the pedelec. We have further “optimized” the pedelec after the purchase by exchanging parts.

Ride on the Weser cycle path – well-equipped you can go on the track

After so many thoughtful considerations, we plunged into the adventure of “Pedelec” and chose the German Weser river cycle path as our first tour destination. According to its own statements, the Weser river Cycle Path is a “four-star” cycle path and easy to cycle on. You can ride it on a distance of just over 520 km from Hann.Münden along the Weser river downstream and almost always with a slight descent to the North Sea to Cuxhaven.

Theoretically, you can also double the distance, as the Weser river cycle path is signposted on both sides of the river. In addition to the actual route, there is the “alternative route”, which will certainly not be less beautiful. On the way you only have to look for the small signs, which are usually more than often to be seen. We really didn’t have to search in most places.

The route is grouped into 15 sections according to the official service booklet. There are plenty of hotels and hostels, restaurants, beer gardens and cafés described on all sections.

For the start we have chosen our own sections with a length of approx. 60 km. By the way, you have great possibilities to reach the larger starting points of your sections directly by train. More about train & bike in Germany in the further article.

We rode the path in a the wild north – south – change from Cuxhaven (Nort Sea coast) to Bremerhaven, from Bremerhaven via Brake to Lemwerder, from Porta Westfalica via Nienburg to Achim, from Achim to Vegesack and from Hameln to Porta Westfalica. The first sections from Hann.Münden to Hameln are still pending, which we will certainly deal with soon.

Schild Weser-Radweg - mit dem Pedelec auf dem Weser-Radweg

Pedelec and train riding

As absolute newbies to the topic bicycle journeys and train ride we were nevertheless positively surprised, how comfortably the combination of bicycle & train can be. The  German “country (state) tickets” and the additional bicycle day tickets for the pedelec or e-bike take you to the starting point of the tours for relatively little money. The “Lower-Saxony”-Ticket + 2 x bicycle tickets cost 27 + 2 x 5 €, which you can use for all rides in the regional trains for a full day (check details, there might be exceptions)

During our tours we never had problems to take the bikes on the train. You also get to know the railway and its stations in a new manner. A real highlight, however, are the elevators at the stations, which all have different widths and depths and, above all, different speeds. So take some time for a track change, which you won’t do as fast as on foot despite (or because of the bicycle). Regardless of this, the train ride is relaxing. The pedelecs stand securely in bicycle holders and cannot fall over. It is nevertheless recommended to lock the bikes, as the seats are often on the floor above the bicycles.

Pedelec und Bahn fahren klappt sehr gut - mit dem Pedelec auf dem Weser-Radweg
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The current sections in a quick overview:

Cuxhaven – Bremerhaven – length approx. 56 km – final spurt on the German Weser cycle path

In Cuxhaven you should actually arrive on the last section, if you start from the south. For us it was the starting point for a passionate hobby. Arrived by train at the “main station” Cuxhaven, which is also the final station or the last station before the North Sea, we passed the harbour area and the beach areas in Duhnen and Döse, which improved more and more over the last few years. in terms of infrastructure for tourism. Depending on the tide you can see the North Sea or the endless Wadden Sea. Actually, it’s almost too bad to just ride by here. You ride once on the dike and then again under the dike top until it will go behind Saalenburg through the nature reserve along the dike road and the many small farmhouses to Dorum and the small fishing harbour in Dorum.

Take time for a break at the harbour and the snack bars. If you don’t have much time you should at least have a delicious fish sandwich. It couldn’t be fresher.

The gallery was not found!

Well strengthened we continue towards Bremerhaven along the dikes. The tracks on the last sections are really well constructed and the flat country allows every cyclist to make good progress. From Dorum it is going to Wremen and the kilometres just fly there.

Shortly after Wremen you can already see the first harbour cranes of Bremerhaven. Here the Weser river cycle path, which otherwise leads almost only through the middle of nature, has a very industrial character and leads through the imposing harbour facilities of Bremerhaven. Lots of new cars wherever you look, container gantry cranes, large ships and, for some time now, cruise ships of all kinds, which have moored on one of the longest sea quays in the world.

In the harbour there is a central lookout tower, which was built in the original style from containers. From the tower you can see the “skyline” of Bremerhaven, which is only a stone’s throw or a few pedal steps away. If you have more time, we highly recommend a visit to the science museum Klimahaus or the “Deusches Auswandererhaus”  (Emigrant Museum). Both houses are incredibly exciting. In the Klimahaus you experience a world tour on the 8 degree of longitude once around the globe including the climate zones and in the Emigrant House you can authentically comprehend the emigration of the predominantly German migrants in the 18th century. Perhaps a topic that is more of interest than ever before… For us Bremerhaven was the end of the first pedelec tour that brought us to the following conclusion:

  • It is not the battery, but the saddle that determines the range
  • Driving a pedelec is a relaxed thing and a lot of fun
  • Without pedelec we would not have driven this route
  • The world gets bigger with the pedelec – you can see corners that you would otherwise only pass by car or never reach in the first place.

E-Bike and Pedelec Tuning

Fixed by the first stage of our pedelec career, we immediately thought about how we could make our bikes even better. When searching for “E-Bike or Pedelec Tuning”, numerous search results lead to alleged chip tunings with which you can set the speeds of the motors to seemingly infinite for little money. Apart from the risks and the loss of insurance cover, the narrow and sometimes bad cycle paths were not an option for us. We have therefore decided on a “comfort tuning” to increase the comfort.

With a few changes you can also “pimp up” your pedelec. First official action was the exchange of the grips for grips with mini bar ends. The exchange was extremely easy, because on one of the bicycles the grips were only secured by a screw with clamping (Haibike). With the second pedelec from Pegasus, the rubber grips could be easily removed after rinsing some water between the grips and the handlebars. The grips are available with mini bar ends in different lengths, which allow a change in the handlebar position. We use the lengths 2 and 3, which still look relatively elegant and are comfortable to drive.

The next optimization was to retrofit a saddle spring support to cushion unevenness and potholes on the bike path. As everywhere you can plunge into high costs. We have bought relatively simple saddle spring supports which fulfill their purpose of suspension well for us. Tip: there are many different diameters of saddle tubes. Just pull your saddle and tube out of the bracket. As a rule, the diameter is hammered onto the pipe. The most common pipe diameters are 27.2 and 31.6 mm.

At the same time we have exchanged the standard saddle of the pedelec for a cross-country version. The saddle is simply fixed with screws and can be changed very quickly. Here the added value of your pedelec can be significantly increased with relatively little effort.

In this context, the purchase of a small multi-purpose tool is recommended, which you should have with you on your tours. Why? More about this later. Back on the track…

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Section Bremerhaven – Brake – Lemwerder – approx. 60 km. Between Sheep herds and super yachts

” Rail-bicycle-experienced” we started in Bremerhaven. After 2-3 kilometres through the town you will reach the ferry to Nordenham on the western side of the Weser. Even for us, who are from the region, it is exciting. From the ferry you can see the skyline of Bremerhaven and the endlessly long quay with its many container gantry cranes. What a picture when the weather is good!

Arrived in Nordenham, after passing through the city, you take the actual Weser river cycling path along the dike towards Brake and past the Unterweser nuclear power plant. Along the way you will see many herds of sheep, which are used for the care of the dyke. During a short break on the dike in Absen we sat on the park bench in the middle of a herd of sheep. Fortunately, sheep are relatively peaceful animals, unless they are challenged on their park bench! Back on the Weser cycling trail, you quickly head towards Brake at many small, tranquil villages and in Lienen over the Huntebrücke bridge towards Lemwerder.

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Places like Ranzenbüttel, Motzen or Ritzenbüttel follow before you can see Abeking & Rasmussen and Lürssen, two of the world’s most famous yacht builders, all in one place in the city of Lemwerder next to the Weser river. Our section was finished in Lemwerder. A look-out tower with a beautiful view over Lemwerder and the Weser is located behind the Weser ferry to Vegesack (one of the northernmost districts of Bremen). For a break we recommend the crossing with the Weser ferry.

With a bit of luck you can see the insane and unaffordable super yachts at the equipment quays before they are delivered to their often anonymous buyers. Directly on the right side behind the ferry terminal you will find some rustic and cosy restaurants and beer gardens (all affordable again). A few meters further on is the rail station.

After these daily sections and the decision for the correct pedelecs we came then to the taste of the bicycle journeys. The Weser Cycle Path is the perfect starting route – easygoing and with a very beautiful landscape.

Section Porta Westfalica – Nienburg – Achim approx. 110 km – downstream to the north

We could not wait for the new weekend and the plans for the tour were quickly set. The distances should become longer and also have an overnight stay. No spoken, done. Riding the train and bike was no problem for us. We had installed the railway app on our mobile phone for a long time and the app for the Weser Cycle Path also helped us with many questions. We had not considered the number of accommodations in the “big” cities in our planning. If the price for the overnight stay does not matter to you, then you should book your overnight stay destinations in advance. We were very surprised how “popular” e. g. the accommodations in Nienburg on the Weser could be. Finally we found a nice place in the hotel “Zur Sonne”, where also the bikes had a safe shelter.

Zurück zum Ausgangspunkt, der schon eines der Highlights des ersten Tages werden sollte. In Porta Westfalica gibt es das Wilhelms-Denkmal auf dem Hausberg, was Ihr Euch unbedingt ansehen solltet. Mit dem Pedelec ist man schnell den Berg hinauf gefahren. Achtung: das zieht schon ein paar Kilometer aus dem Akku… Unabhängig davon hat man von dem Denkmal eine grandiose Aussicht über das Weser-Bergland, die einen vielversprechenden Tag erhoffen ließen. Nach einer schnellen Abfahrt (Spitze 45 km/h auf den Serpentinen) konnten wir auch direkt die Funktion der Bremsen unserer Pedelecs testen. Schade, dass Pedelecs in solchen Momenten nicht eigenständig wieder laden. Motiviert haben wir nach den ersten Schildern des Weser-Radwegs gesucht, die uns dann schnell auf den Weg Richtung Minden geführt haben.

Ausblick vom Wilhelmsdenkmal - mit dem Pedelec auf dem Weser-Radweg

On this part of the way you ride as close as on only a few other sections directly along the Weser, which is still a relatively small river here. We left Minden and Petershagen to the left to reach our destination Nienburg. Through Schlüsselburg (see Scheunenviertel) we passed Stolzenau and crossed the Weser to Nienburg. One of the experiences of the pedelec tours is a completely different perception of the surroundings for us. Where we drove simply along on other holidays by car, we probably saw many other great (and small) things just because of the “deceleration”. To be honest (sorry Nienburg), Nienburg would never have been on our holiday plan if the Weser cycle path hadn’t led through the city now. Thus we got to know Nienburg as a small lively town with a charming old town centre, which we will keep in good memory.

After a relaxing night we continued north with recharged batteries (pedelec & human). We made a short stopover in the beautiful city centre of Hoya, before we reached our goal of the section by crossing Verden (on the river Aller) back to the Weser with Achim. The sections between Porta Westfalica and Achim lead in most cases completely through nature, so that there is hardly any traffic. Hard to imagine, considering how densely populated Germany actually is.

The conclusion of the ride: our shaky bike bags are not nice anymore. As a summary: better bike bags are needed.

Pedelec equipment

The said bike bags were from a discount store and fulfilled their actual purpose of transport. They were not rainproof. An additional protective cover should ensure this function. So why buy new bike bags? We would not have bought new bike bags for easy tours. If you travel longer distances you will have to take off your bags more or less often (train journeys, elevators etc.). Again, the question of comfort moved us to buy more reasonable bike bags.

Bike bags – the pedelec as a packhorse

At the end, we decided on the popular Classic Backroller from Ortlieb. The big advantages are the little details: components can also be purchased separately in the case of a defect. The bags are really rock-solid and can be released with one pull. So far after the perfect summer we had no chance to test how waterproof the bags, which are closed by a roll down closure, really are.

Nach ein paar Durchgängen öffnen / schließen die Taschen in kürzester Zeit. Die LKW Plane wird schon vor Wind und Wetter schützen. Tipp: schaut Euch genau Euren Gepäckträger und die Schrauben an. Das Haibike markiert durch die hervorstehenden Schrauben leider sehr genau an den Gepäcktaschen, wo sie anliegen. Schade, dass die Fahrrad- Konstrukteure an dieser Stelle keine flachen Schrauben eingesetzt haben. So bleibt Euch nur die Schrauben selbst zu tauschen oder die Taschen mit einem entsprechenden Schutz selbst zu versehen (z. B. schwarzes Isolierband). Kleiner Tipp mit großer Wirkung: schaut Euch auch an, wo die Klemmen der Packtaschen am Gepäckträger „greifen“. Diesen Bereich solltet Ihr ggf. auch mit etwas Isolierband schützen. Das Isolierband schützt die Lackierung vom Gepäckträger und kann leicht ausgetauscht werden.

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Handlebar bags with click-fix

For little things we bought a handlebar bag with the click-fix system. The handlebar bag is extremely easy to attach to and detach from the wheel thanks to the “click system”. It does not affect the steering and water bottles, money etc. are quickly reachable. The selection of compatible bags for the system is almost endless and limited only by the own taste.

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Frame bag for mobile phone or money

As a smaller alternative to the handlebar bag, a frame bag is recommended, in which at least a mobile phone and money can be stored. The frame pockets are usually quickly attached to the frame using touch-and-close fasteners and fixed to the handlebars.

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From Achim via Bremen to Vegesack – about 50 km – where the Weser becomes big

We could not have completed our actual plan to drive from Nienburg along the Weser to Bremen because of the empty battery. So it was obvious to drive down this supposedly small section “just as quickly” again to close the gap on our map. From the small train station in Achim you are quickly back on the Weser cycle path, which is now leading somewhat remotely parallel to the Weser river. After a few easy kilometres you reach Bremen and see the first harbour areas. It becomes more urban without leaving the paths in the countryside. In Bremen the signs to the cycle path became a bit confusing. So it was all the better that we rode the pedelec down places in the city that we had never seen before, even though we lived here for a long time. In Bremen you have the comfortable choice on which side of the Weser you want to cycle.

Westliches oder östliches Weser-Ufer in Bremen?

Von der westlichen Seite siehst Du mehr die “Skyline” der Stadt. Auf der östlichen Seite bist Du näher an der Innenstadt mit den weltberühmten Bremer Stadtmusikanten und der Schlachte mit ihren vielen einladenden Biergärten. Wir haben uns entschieden die westliche Strecke zu fahren und sind am Weserwehr auf die andere Seite des Flusses gefahren. Neben dem Weserwehr ist übrigens auch die letzte der 12 Weserschleusen, mit dem der Fluss für die Binnenschifffahrt befahrbar gemacht wird. Wie schleusen funktionieren, kannst Du Dir direkt ansehen oder auch auf den vorherigen Teilstücken des Weser-Radwegs erleben.

Weser Stadion Bremen - mit dem Pedelec auf dem Weser-Radweg

Our highlights on the ride through Bremen were the free view of the Weser Stadium, the famous sailing ship Alexander von Humboldt and the city beaches on the Weser, which we will certainly visit when the weather will be fine. It would go well beyond the report to write more about Bremen. Just stay longer in Bremen and take your time for a city tour. In winter we recommend the beautiful Christmas market or before that in autumn the well-known Bremer Freimarkt! By this link you can look with a 25 Euro credit (new customers) at AirBnB for beautiful accommodations. (Affiliate Link AirBnB). If you prefer to stay in hotels, you can search directly at Booking.com by this link (Affiliate Booking.com)

It was a new experience for us to cycle through quarters that we had previously only passed by car. Cycling seems to broaden the horizon and no cycling without pedelec…

Behind Woltmershausen the trail is heading north along the river Weser

The wind gets stormier and you have to pedal more. On the way to Lemwerder you drive directly along the Weser. Here you can already see the first big ships that feel like “arm length” passing by you. Not only the mountainous routes reduce the power of the pedelec battery, but also the “stiff breeze”, which blows from the front into your face. You will notice it on this apparently short section. After you left Bremen with the view of the steelworks industrial area on the other side of the river, you head down the river towards Lemwerder.

On the final part of the section of the Weser Cycle Path in Lemwerder you will have the opportunity to see many great street art pictures on the embankment wall. There are really great graffiti! If you want to finish the day here, as we did, you can simply take the Weser ferry to Vegesack and from there you can take the train back. The station in Vegesack is in direct near to the ferry terminal.

Second last section – from Hameln to Porta Westfalica via Rinteln – almost 60 km – a chapter of a steep learning curve

We approached the section from Hameln to Porta Westfalica with good plans. After a relaxing night in the city of the famous Pied Piper of Hameln (hotel suggestions on Booking.com via this link -Affiliate) we started highly motivated. On these sections you will ride through the Weser Mountains and the foothills. The area is really beautiful and the bike path is easy to ride. Passing the small village Fischbeck you come to Grossenwieden, where the day should take a completely different direction. Our way led with a small detour there. On our swerve we then helped another cyclist, who had fallen in a sloping curve. First decision of the tour: we should at least have a small first aid kit (affiliate link to Amazon) with us. After the short interruption and help we continued.

The yaw-rope ferry in Grossenwieden and a nice place for an unwanted pedelec break

When you arrive in Grossenwieden, you have the option to take a yaw rope ferry across the Weser. Yaw-rope ferries use the current and generally have no motorisation of their own. The ferry is held by a cable. At the ferry pier we were then allowed to deal even more with technology, as a flat tire at the rear wheel abruptly ended the ride. Fortunately the breakdown was in a very busy place on the Weser cycle path.

You’ll notice how helpful cyclists are. We were totally surprised and very grateful for the offered help.

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Breakdown at the pedelec – what now? Time to consider an emergency set.

It may have been the absolute naivety that made us happily pedal without tools or spare tubes. The previous tours were so unproblematic! So we were sitting with our luck or just bad luck in a huge life belt on the ground and were stuck. Unfortunately, even the helpful ” riders ” had no suitable equipment with them. The learning curve for the next tours was very steep at this point: spare bike tube (affiliate link to Amazon) and tools belong in the panniers – that we never need it of course!

The Schlauch-o-mat – a gift from heaven

Our rescue was a Schlauch-o-mat, which was “only” 12 km away. On a Sunday at over 30 °C, a “cigarette machine for bicycle tubes” seems like a gift from heaven! (Attention only takes coins! :-)). After this intermediate lap we changed the tube at the rear tire to do the final kilometres. We would have loved to have a look at the old town of Rinteln with the Old Town Festival. Our motivation and also the time pressure to take the right train took away our enthusiasm – maybe next year again with a lot of air on the tires!

Hochseilfähre in Grossenwieden - mit dem Pedelec auf dem Weser-Radweg - da ist erstmal die Luft raus.
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Apps for pedelecs

We recommend that you download common apps to your mobile phone that can help you navigate. Google Maps, for example, helped us a lot with the setting for cyclists. Also the app of the German Railway is very helpful to check connections and to book tickets (how we can still book the bike tickets remains a secret). Through Booking.com or AirBnB you can usually also book accommodation for the night at short notice.

A good cell phone battery is required with every app that uses GPS. Strangely enough, the pedelecs do not have a USB port to use the existing battery. This means that an additional power bank is needed to extend the range of the mobile phone battery.

Last but not least, a universal mobile phone holder is recommended: either in a frame bag or directly on the handlebar. When purchasing, make sure that the holder is designed to hold future mobile phone models securely.

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In-between conclusion – Weser river cycle path by pedelec

Since the purchase of our pedelecs we have cycled as much as probably not our entire life before the “pedelec age”. The start of this kind of vacation gave us a lot of pleasure and also the learning curves were sometimes involuntarily steep. With the right amount of humour and calmness you can also get over these curves.

The Weser Cycle Path can certainly also be done wonderfully with the “normal” bike. Real uphill sections or other surprises do not cross your path. Already today we can say that the remaining section from Hann.Münden to Hameln will certainly be a great destination for another short holiday.

If you are considering buying an e-bike or pedelec, don’t let yourself be influenced by the prejudices. We see the pedelec more as a bicycle 2.0 – technology finally is developing. If first “bikes” would be so fantastic, then pedals with chain and gears would never have made it to today’s bike.

Do you ride pedelec or e-bike? What are your experiences?