Cycle Touring Euro Velo 15 - Following the Rhine River from Source to Sea

[@CyclingMikey]

As a Dutchman I'm so amused by everyone cycling in normal clothes, and then the two Aussies in utterly unnecessary hiviz and helmets. Great video though, and I enjoyed watching thoroughly. Liked! I'm planning to do this trip in May 2022.

[@mongreldogproductions]

Helmets are mandatory here in Oz so I guess it’s something we get used to. Me personally, I think helmets are a good idea. We are all different. Be seen, be safe. Enjoy your journey.

[@boomchakalaka3715]

Good work guys. You remind me of my father and thats proper parenting there mate. No money can buy time like that together. Well done

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi boom c, I’m glad you like the vid. We (Rhys and I) have a special bond after experiencing some hardship together. It’s important to have a good relationship with your children. They are the ones that choose the Nursing Home you end up staying in later in life. Thanks for watching.

[@martinclark4637]

@@mongreldogproductions RRFL wana tell my Dad that Haha... Another excellent production. By the way Steve what camera do you have mounted on you bicycle helmet.

[@mongreldogproductions]

@@martinclark4637 the helmet camera is a Contour Roam. I think they are obsolete now. It is a good camera in that it has a very positive slide bar. It’s either on or off. None of this “is my red light flashing” while trying to look in a mirror like the Go Pro type cameras. Thanks for watching.

[@martinclark4637]

@@mongreldogproductions Thanks for the info...! and i found this...kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmnChX2kZamaqbs Their back with a Contour 3

[@fransdigitalmediaservices3912]

What a great video, I hope to do that trip in a few years, thanks for recording it

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Frans Booth Web Design, so glad you like the vid. Thanks for watching. The trip is one I can highly recommend. 👍🇦🇺

[@meirdudai]

Inspiring! I did a portion of the Rhine route but now I want to follow your leads and do it all - it looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi meirdudai, glad you like the vid. Rhys only had a short break before having to return to Australia to recommence University so we had to cycle some big days occasionally. It would have been nice to take a little more time to cover the distance., We both enjoyed the experience. Thanks for watching.

[@seanboldt266]

Great video. Thank you for making and posting

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Sean Boldt, glad you like the vid. Thanks for watching. 👍🇦🇺🚴‍♂️

[@PumpkinVillage]

Very good trip. Thanks for sharing. Take care, Al

[@mongreldogproductions]

Pumpkin Village Maple PVM, glad you enjoyed the vid.

[@justgjt]

Excellent as always Steve. Good stuff.

[@mongreldogproductions]

justgjt Thanks for your continued support....glad you like the vid.

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi justgjt, you may, or may not get this message. You responded to my recent upload of the Kep Track. For some reason, I could not reply to your comment. I too, have unpleasant memories of the Army Camp at Northam. I did the Selection Coarse in ‘92 (the last of the hard ones hahaha) and had flashbacks to that time when passing the Camp. Not the best memories. I thought of the Gratwick Club on ANZAC Day...usually somebody ended up being thrown through the window each ANZAC Day. Hope you liked the vid. Thanks for watching. Let me know if you’ve read this. 👍

[@adilali7378]

Good luck nice beautiful 👍

[@waybogus]

Watching this is inspiring! Hopefully one day I will be able to pull off something like this myself!

[@mongreldogproductions]

waybogus Hi waybogus...that’s a big compliment. Hopefully you’ll get the chance to do it soon. Glad you like the Vid.

[@tonypaddler]

I enjoyed that video 👍

[@mongreldogproductions]

Thanks Tony….I enjoyed the ride and enjoyed making the vid.

[@tonypaddler]

Yes, your enthusiasm shone through. It's part of a route I was meant to do in 2020.... Hopefully this year! Cheers.

[@owltune5496]

Great video. Thanks for sharing

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi owl tune, glad you like the Vid. Thanks for watching.

[@TheWelshman50]

nice ride scenes were awesome cant wait for you to cycle Thailand again please

[@mongreldogproductions]

TheWelshman50 No, not Thailand. The next ride will be Sri Lanka in early 2018 I hope. Glad you like the Vid.

[@TheWelshman50]

enjoy your youtube channel ,its great to watch your bicycle tours

[@emilymartin6781]

Reese's loaded wheelies were very impressive

[@mongreldogproductions]

Don't encourage him...he is good!!! Thanks for watching

[@miles4049]

Beautiful sceneries, would be great on the other type of bike. Cheers mate.

[@mongreldogproductions]

Mile's Glad you like the Vid....it was still a great trip even on this type of bike. We both enjoyed it immensely.

[@Nerb1]

Cool ride. I wouldnt like to do it in the other direction!

[@mongreldogproductions]

You're right....at least this way it was all downhill (mostly).

[@jeaves6079]

Really good video-im hoping to do the same trip next year-

[@mongreldogproductions]

G Marshall Hi G, glad you like the Vid.....I can recommend this trip. Great scenery, relatively easy riding and mostly downhill.

[@ashleymalamute]

What was the price difference between shipping your bikes to Switzerland vs buying bikes in Switzerland?

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Ashley, Switzerland is VERY expensive. I’m sure a bike purchased locally would be a more expensive option than bringing your own (maybe?). I freight my bike as ‘sporting gear’ on the aircraft (no different than golf clubs, surfboards etc) and usually it would only add about $100AUD to the total cost. I prefer to use my own bike that I’m familiar with for my travels then to risk hiring or buying something that may not be suitable. Hope you like the vid. Thanks for watching.

[@steveclark6257]

What was the Model of Giant bike did Rhys have. And is it recommended to do this trip with or would he choose another if he had to do it again? Thanks from Canada ( planning this trip next year)

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Steve, thanks for your interest in the vid. Both bikes are Giant Talons 24 speed off the shelf mountain bikes. You could use a tourer if you wanted to. When ever I cycle overseas I use the same bike and just swap out the tyres depending on the road and track conditions. That is, in the developing countries I might use wider tyres to absorb some of the shock of potholed second class roads or use skinny road tyres for more developed countries. I owned both bikes...Rhys used one of mine. Both bikes have travelled extensively thru SEAsia, ie, Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka. You don’t need a sophisticated, expensive bike to cycle tour. Use what you find comfortable. Hope you like the vid. Thanks for watching.

[@Zumaray]

Great video mate. Really got us excited about our trip this June. Any chance you could make a video showing what you took in the way of clothes and stuff? Or what you should have taken?

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi yeoclegin, I’m a pretty seasoned cycle tourist so my list of things to take doesn’t vary much. We took some warmer clothes for this trip and stayed in hostels/hotels or hosts with warmshowers.com.org. I just packed the usual things..toiletries, limited clothing, some spares (tubes, cables, zip ties) camera gear and electronics. I used maps.me to navigate (great app) and the whole journey was pretty seamless. June should be a great time to visit with warm weather and lots of sunshine. Good luck. Thanks for watching. Glad you like the Vid.

[@peace1375]

Hello Steve thanks for the vid , you inspire me i will do the same route in June 15 this year. I have 2 questions. Can i take my bike in the train with out Assemble it ? What is your accommodations in Oberal pass? Or Andermatt

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi peace1375, Warning, Warning....Switzerland is BLOODY expensive! Yes you can take bikes on trains without pulling it apart. We stayed at a hotel in Andermatt (very nice ‘village’ in picturesque valley) and caught a train for the last 10 km to Oberal Pass which is a very steep climb. Good luck with your journey. Thanks for watching.

[@bisikletcibaba27]

Wonderful

[@mongreldogproductions]

bicycle touring Hi bicycle touring....glad you like the Vid. Thanks for watching.

[@daveadriffield7296]

I had to think, Where's the Ryan river? Is it in Australia?

[@CathWoodVideos]

Hey Steve, thanks for the vid, appreciate the effort you've put into getting shots and editing them up. I notice you got some great drone footage. We're planning to do the ride this year and we want to take the drone. Did you run into any regulatory issues?

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Cath Wood, funny you should mention that. Rhys and I were taking footage while in the ‘fortified town’ in France and while we were packing up the local Gendarmes pulled up and explained that what we were doing was illegal. We acted like dumb tourists and got away with it but I guess the same rules apply as here in australia, ie, not in built up areas ect. While revising the footage, we saw (what we thought) a local ringing the coppers. Not sure why we iassed him off. Be discreet...choose the time and place. Enjoy the ride. Thanks for watching.

[@CathWoodVideos]

Yep, that was the shot that got me wondering. What was the name of that town? It's absolutely spectacular from the air. They probably have drones over it constantly, guessing some of the locals are over it.

[@mongreldogproductions]

Cath Wood en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuf-Brisach We were flying the drone from the town square which doubles as a car park. Enjoy your journey.

[@CathWoodVideos]

Perfect, thank you!

[@yukon_deb6005]

Thanks for the great video and all of the information. I like how you included mileages and days so someone can sort of plan what to expect. Do you know if the ferries run along the whole river sort of like a hop on/off when tired?

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Debra Burgess, we did take a ferry to make one day easier....that was to Shaffhausen. I didn’t pay too much attention other then that. There were lots of extended ‘cruise’ type boats plying up and down the river. Make Google your friend and do some searching. I’m sure the answer will be there. Thanks for watching. Good luck.

[@นพดล-พ1ว]

แปลไทย

[@joecolletti]

Steve, great video! I head to Europe next week and will cover some of the same ground, so this was quite helpful. Wonder if you can help w a few questions... - If you needed to trim a day or two, where would you do it? I'm heading the opposite way you did-- from Cologne-- and need to get up to Karlsruhe quicker than I'd originally planned. - You had some nice drone footage in there. Did anyone give you grief / dirty looks for using it? Still on fence whether I bring one - What the heck was that orange thing on your shoulder? :) Thanks again!

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Joe Colletti, so many questions... The orange thing on my shoulder is a personal Satellite Tracker (SPOT Messenger) which allows family and friends to track me in real time. It also has a SOS function similar to a PLB. We got busted by the local French 👮‍♀️ using the drone in a village (the ‘fort’ village) but only after a local complained. We acted dumb and got away with it. We should have known better then to use it in a built up area. I’m not sure about cutting your trip short...maybe look at what public transport (trains or ferries) are available and see if it fits your plans. Once you arrive in country you will get a feel for the terrain and what to expect and that might help you decide on which part of the trip you want to bypass. Enjoy your journey...good luck.

[@joecolletti]

Thank you Steve, appreciate the reply! :)

[@sebagalimba]

Is it legal to wild-camp along the Rhine? I'm planning on following the same route this year. Best regards and thanks for sharing!

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi seba Galimba, I’m not sure if it is legal. I did notice lots and lots of ‘caravan parks’ and camp grounds along the way. Rhys and I stayed in hotels and a few warmshowers. Website is here - www.warmshowers.org/ Glad you like the Vid.

[@jfvanschalkwyk]

Great ride and cool video man!!! I see you assembled the bikes at the airport. Where did you store the boxes? At the airport? Costs?

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Jackie, once we assembled the bikes, we folded the boxes up and placed them discreetly in a corner and left them behind. One of the Airport workers suggested where to leave them so we didnt leave them in a place where they would get in the way and were left near an existing 'rubbish 'bin. We collected boxes from Amsterdam Airport when we flew out (although they were expensive to buy...23 Euro each). Usually i go to the local bike shop and get a bike box from them which may cost a couple of bucks. I plan to Cycle Sri Lanka in 2018 but it only has one international airport so i will leave the bike box at a hotel and collect when i leave the country. Glad you like the vid.

[@jfvanschalkwyk]

Thank you very much for the info. I like your rides and well done! We planning a tour starting from Barcelona airport through Catalunya, Girona, Cadaques, Peralda etc... and will return to Barcelona airport... Would like to leave the boxes somewhere and pack the bikes when we return and fly out but luggage storage at the airport is expensive... any ideas? Thanks again!

[@mongreldogproductions]

I cycled around Hainan Island (China) once and left the bike box at the Hotel that i stayed at on the first night. They agreed to keep the box for me until i returned two weeks later. Otherwise, check out some bike shops before you leave for your ride once in Spain and ask them to keep a box aside for you. Enjoy your ride. Good luck.

[@jfvanschalkwyk]

Good advise, thank you

[@jfvanschalkwyk]

I once asked you about the device on your left shoulder and recall that you told me its an emergency trigger / responder that informs a service provider in case you having an emergency...!? Do you mind giving me the details? I would like to sign up...

[@joycemeyer8919]

Hello Mongrel Dog...I loved your video! My husband & I are planning to do one of the Eurovelo routes--maybe this one! BTW, I liked the music--what is it/where do I find it? It's great to hear your Aussie accent, too. Cheers, from Sydney.

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Joyce, the music title appears in the credits at the end of the video....in this case the Artist is Vexento off their Masked Heroes album. Glad you like the vid...thanks for watching. Enjoy your tour.

[@liambarker6231]

What time of year did you do this and how many days exactly did it take you?

[@mongreldogproductions]

Liam Barker Hi Liam, here are the stats... Arrived Zurich on 25 Aug. Commenced riding on 27 Aug. Departed on 16 Sep. Had about 5 admin/rest days along the journey. Total distance ridden - 1,403 km. Longest day - 121 km. Shortest day - 40 km. Rhys had to return to Australia to recommence studies but an extra 4 or 5 days would have been better to shorten some of the bigger days. We experienced some rain on a few of the days but it was never unbearable. Glad you like the Vid. Regards

[@AdamJDuncan]

Wow. does Reese ever stop talking?

[@tombristowe846]

No .He's got a beard, remember.

[@bslizards]

where did you get the train to?

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Asia Davenport, so sorry for the long delay in responding...I usually get email notification of comments but not this time. We caught the train from Zurich to the start point of the Rhine which is near Andermatt and Oberalppass. In Switzerland. Once again, apologies for the long delay. Thanks for watching.

[@AmberRox]

Thanks for this great video! I'd love to do the same route this September, do you think it would be possible to do on an average (decent) road bike without much specialist gear? I'm a young female student with a very limited budget, so would prefer to stay in hostels etc rather than camp out alone...do you think it would be manageable to find relatively cheap hostels along the route? Many thanks for your help :-)

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi JennyPferd You have a couple of options...go to Warmshowers.com.org and have a look at their website. Warm Showers is aimed at the cycle touring community and offers free accomodation for cyclists. You could also consider joining up to the Hostel International Association (?) which will have a list of hostels in the region you are travelling in. A road bike is suitable to do the route. Have a look at Euro Velo 15 which details the route in detail. Maps are available. Enjoy your journey. Good luck. Regards

[@mrbicycle7735]

Yeah

[@bruggetje]

10:38 You should've been actors lol

[@mongreldogproductions]

Worthy of an Oscar I reckon…

[@rockbiterhd]

Your missing the engine looks good

[@mongreldogproductions]

Yeah, left the engine at home for this one.

[@JustinCaseSolarPower]

top stuff.

[@rushal4622]

Yea Basel...where Roger Federer came from.😀

[@mongreldogproductions]

Hi Rashid Ali, I didn’t know that. Isn’t KZbin a wonderful thing. You learn so much. Hope you like the Vid.

[@tombristowe846]

Ghastly "music". Why do they do it?

[@mongreldogproductions]

Gray Michaels Hahaha...thanks for coming to my defence. Actually, a lot of videos have music because otherwise all you would hear is wind noise while riding...my camera gear is pretty basic. Maybe Tom will understand one day...when he produces his own videos. Every ones a critic. 👍