The Long Way Home -cycling back from Eurobike

Tears streaming as relentless headwind whipped across my face, feeling my thighs burning in agony but a pain preferable to sitting down in the saddle. I found myself smiling and feeling more myself than I have for a long time. 

My name is Wiesia, Managing Director at Fusion and an endurance cyclist, or rather a lapsed endurance cyclist. In 2018 I undertook the Transcontinental, crossing from one side of Europe to another, solo and unsupported. Completing it was a huge physical and emotional achievement. After the high of finishing it had passed, my desire to complete another epic long ride seemed to drain away. 

It was joining Newtown CC back in my home town in Bristol that reignited my passion. Cycling for me is now exploration and meeting people over speed and training, but the desire is back. At Fusion we always try to walk the talk, being active people who love the outdoors is part of who we are so rather than see business travel as a hindrance to spending more time on my bike I made it into an opportunity. Which is how I found myself bashing along into a stiff Dutch headwind, on my way home from Eurobike 

Eurobike Extravaganza

Eurobike is the world's largest bicycle trade show, held annually in Germany. The event showcases the latest bicycle technology, trends, and products from leading brands in the cycling industry. It is attended by bike industry professionals, retailers, media, and enthusiasts from around the world. I was there with the Fusion team to represent our clients; BMC, Shimano, Wahoo, and Brompton. 

It is huge! It took me half an hour to get from one hall to another. Cyclists aren’t known for their love of standing up, it is not unusual to see some of the most well-known names in our industry slumped against walls or even sitting on the floor by the end of a show day!  It’s not just the distance that makes moving around the show slow work, every few paces there is a familiar face to chat to, a new contact to be introduced to or shiny new product to ogle at. 

EuroVelo cycle network

I started my ride back to the UK on the Saturday finished, slightly later than planned after celebrating the success of the show on the Friday night with some of our clients. I joined EuroVelo Route 15 (Rhine Cycle Route) in Frankfurt. EuroVelo is a network of 17 long-distance cycle routes that cross and connect Europe. Route 15 follows the Rhine River up to the Hook of Holland, with the majority of the route using dedicated cycle paths. I then took the overnight ferry to Harwich, and a train back to London to be in the office for the following Wednesday.

Distance and Duration:
Day 1: Frankfurt to Boppard - 115km
Day 2: Boppard to Dusseldorf - 170km
Day 3: Dusseldorf to Den Bosch - 140km
Day 4: Den Bosch to Hook of Holland - 110km

I was slightly slower than I had hoped, so at Dusseldorf I used Komoot to find a route which was more direct to the Hook of Holland. I stayed in bed and breakfast accommodations along the way, as did not have room for camping gear as needed to pack clothes for Eurobike and my laptop. Not knowing how long I would ride for each day I used Booking.com to find local hotels and make last-minute reservations, it worked like a dream. 

Rivers and headwinds 

Riding alongside the Rhine is incredibly peaceful. It is mainly on traffic-free routes and well signposted. It is an ever-changing landscape with castles, cute towns, and villages. Once out of the cities, you could even take a dip in the river. It was great to see so many cyclists enjoying the route, the majority by e-bike. 

It became less idyllic when I hit Dutch headwinds! Battling into the wind and dealing with saddle sores was a reminder that cycling is as much a mental as physical battle. Give me a hill over a headwind any day!  I have never suffered with saddle sores before but it has been some time since I had ridden such long distances, and an even longer time since I had a bike fit. Bike fit now booked in!

Same time, same place 

After such a hectic show as Eurobike, the freedom of riding home through incredible scenery was a wonderful way to decompress and reconnect with the pleasure of long-distance cycling. It totally exceeded my expectations. I’m planning to do it again and next year  I will be inviting the rest of the Fusion team and our friends in the bike industry to join me. See you there?