The Bohemian Experience – September 2023

A six day fully-supported cycling tour through Bohemia, into Poland. Starting from Prague and finishing in Krakow. This tour is designed for keen road cyclists. Covering an average of 70 miles per day (450 miles in total), this tour will take you through an area you may never thought of visiting, but is culturally rich with spectacular scenery. The price includes accommodation, with bike transport from/to your home a cost-effective option (£50 each way).

THE SUDETY MOUNTAINS

The Sudety form the northeast rim of the ancient, diamond-shaped Bohemian Massif, one of the Precambrian cornerstones of Europe, which sits right in the centre of the continent. This range of mountains form part of the border between Poland and Czech, running for more than 250km along this area, extending also in to Germany. The highest part of this old and eroded chain of mountains is the Karkonosze, reaching 1602m at Mt Śnieżka. Though the Sudetes are perhaps not as spectacular as the younger Alps, they’re amazingly varied and heavily covered in forest, with spectacular geological formations such as those at the Góry Stołowe National Park. From a UK perspective, they are little know, yet this whole area has had a rich and varied history, and with numerous National Parks now in the region, wolves and wild boar are relatively common. It is a fascinating Tour.

OVERVIEW
This is a fully supported tour. At the start of the day, when the group sets off cycling, your kit bag will be loaded into the support vehicle and transported to the next overnight halt. The van will meet you with food and water, but you are free to cycle at your own pace, with the support vehicle never far away. Apart from the emergency tool kit that you would normally carry, you do not need any luggage. Superb scenery, atmospheric overnight accommodation and a magnificent route make this an unforgettable cycling holiday experience. Averaging 75-80 miles per day, this is a trip for keen road cyclists who enjoy the challenge of climbs and descents day after day.

THE ROUTE
We start just outside Prague, cycling north through undulating countryside making it a gentle start to the tour, before we reach the Sudety proper.

Then its a gradual eastwards ride, through the mountains, following their curves. Regularly crossing the border in to Poland, and back in to the Czech Republic, as we cycle through the mountains, and on to Krakow.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
This is a small hotel based holiday. Prices are based on sharing in twin rooms. The single Supplement is £350 extra. We do stay in some magnificent hotels though, based in historic old buildings, both in the valleys, and on the mountain slopes. If you are travelling by yourself where you request to share I will use my best endeavours to pair you with someone of the same gender, but this cannot be guaranteed. Matching will be done strictly in the order bookings are received and where I am unable to make a match I will notify you in advance and the Single Supplement will apply. You should be aware that the majority of my customers opt for single occupancy when they travel on their own.

BIKES
We recommend a road bike with 25 to 32 mm tyres. Mountain bikes are NOT suitable. The most important thing is that the bike functions properly and that you are comfortable riding it.

You should ensure that your bike has suitable gears as there are some steep hills on parts of the route.  You should also make sure that you are able to carry some spare food and extra clothing with you on the bike.