Travellers’ tales: Sails, rails & 16in wheels

Where: English Channel to Switzerland
Who: Richard Bowers
When: August/September 2025

Last year I had a conference to attend in Konstanz and some spare time, so I decided to cycle there. I wanted to try out the SailLink ferry from Dover to Boulogne described in Chris Read’s Travellers’ tale ‘Exploring France by boat and bike’ in the June/July 25 issue of Cycle.

This is a sailing catamaran that takes up to 12 cyclists and foot passengers across the Channel. It’s a wonderful experience; you can even have a go at helming!

I planned the journey using the Komoot app, simply putting Boulogne as the starting point and the Swiss border by Konstanz as the destination. I then divided the route into 11 sections of 60-100 km per day. Finally, I searched for hotels and hostels near each section and adjusted the route accordingly.

This was much easier than my old method of buying loads of maps and meticulously planning each day. The downside was that, at times, I was so focused on the satnav that I didn’t really appreciate where I was. Not getting lost is convenient but takes away from the experience of travelling.

Generally, the app found quiet roads and reasonable-quality cycle paths. But there were some stretches of stony unsurfaced tracks that were hard work on the 16-inch wheels of my Brompton T-Line 12-speed.

The highlights of the trip were cycling for long distances along excellent cycle paths, often beside canals and sometimes by disused railway tracks. Luxembourg had superb cycleways but mysteriously almost no cyclists. On the last day, there were wonderful views of the Alps.

It surprised me how easy the 880km journey was. It is perfectly feasible to cycle long distances and avoid flying to destinations. But then I was lucky having the time to cycle. The weather was kind – not too hot and only a couple of days of rain.