BIKING BORDERS 2025 - CALL FOR PARTICIPANTS! (EN)

chris2685
vor 1 Stunde
5 Min. Lesezeit

About Our Journey

Have you been thinking about going on a bike trip for a while, but always had the feeling that you didn't know how to do it? But you really fancy cycling and a campfire at sunset, cooking together on the riverbank and sleeping in the open air? Then this adventure is just the thing for you! We want to create unforgettable memories together, encourage international encounters on the bike and give you the opportunity to learn more about traveling by bike.

In July, we will take a group of up to 15 teenagers and young adults and 3 supervisors on a 14-day cycle tour along the Moselle cycle path. The focus will be on getting to know each other, exchanging and connecting, learning the basics of bicycle travel, introducing alternative lifestyles and outdoor basics as well as learning and experiencing sustainable and democratic group processes.

In addition to the sporting challenge, we also want to introduce the participants to historical and cultural aspects of the region and get to know interesting projects along the route. We will cycle around 30-50 km a day and plan to take breaks along the way.

Tour Details

Participants Age: 17-30 years | Number of participants: 10 to 15 people
Period of the event: 22.07 (July) to 05.08 (August)
Start of the tour: Épinal (France) | Destination of the tour: Koblenz (Germany) | Distance: approx. 450km
Planned arrival (by train/bus) in Épinal (France) on 23. 07.
Planned departure (train/bus) in Koblenz (Germany) on 05.08.
approx. 10 days cycling 40-50km per day (plus rest days)
very beginner-friendly (few meters in altitude, developed cycle path)
Route overview HERE (our route will be based on this one)

Timetable Overview

23.07. arrival in Èpinal (see Arrival in Èpinal (23.07))
24.07. departure by bike in Èpinal
25.07. latecomers arrive in Nancy (see Arrival for latecomers in Nancy (25.07))
26.07. joint departure in Nancy
26.07. to 04.08. - Cycling 🫶
04.08. arrival in Koblenz (end of the cycle tour)
05.08. departure from Koblenz together by train/bus (otherwise individually)

What Awaits You

New friends for life!
The basics of bicycle travel and route planning, as well as basic knowledge of bicycle mechanics
Introduction to alternative lifestyles and outdoor basics
Learning about sustainable and democratic group processes and achieving goals together in a community
Visits to interesting historical sites and political projects

What You Need

a touring bike and a helmet
Pannier rack and/or panniers / bike bags (we recommend Ortlieb Bike Panniers for beginners)
Camping equipment (tent | hammock | tarp, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, mosquito net)
Clothes for approx. 1 week (we will clean our clothes on the way)
At least one crockery/container and cutlery (we recommend a stainless steel lunch box)

Not Required

Experience in bike touring and outdoor life - as the route is very beginner-friendly and you are traveling with experienced bike travelers, you don't have to worry about this
Knowledge of bike repairs as well as tools and repair kits (the organizing team has experience with bike repairs - in the best case you will learn something new during the tour)

SIGNUP NOW

Costs & Participation

Thanks to funding from the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ), participation is possible with a very low participation fee of €50. Train tickets (if the round trip costs more than 250€, please contact us), accommodation and basic meals for up to 12 days are already fully covered.

If you are interested but still have questions, please feel free to contact us by e-mail (youthexchange@foerderverein-inwole.de). We will also conduct a preliminary video interview with the participants to clarify any outstanding questions. Have you already made up your mind and are definitely coming along? Then you can book your ticket here!

Bicycle, luggage and clothing

Don't forget your helmet, it protects your head in the event of a fall!
Pack as little as possible, as we are traveling in summer so we only need a few thick clothes.
Nevertheless, remember a rain jacket and possibly a light, second pair of shoes (in case the other one gets wet due to rain or similar).
Make sure that your clothes, camping gear and everything else fits in your bike bags. If something doesn't fit but you absolutely need it, the organization team may be able to transport it - just let us know what you need extra storage space for.
We also advise you to plan your luggage so that you are NOT traveling with a backpack on your back.
Also remember that it will be very warm and most importantly? Water! - So plan at least 1-2 liters of water. Also, we will mainly be cycling along the Moselle and therefore have access to (bathing) water - so bring a towel to dry off.
Remember that there is not always outdoor seating, so think about what you want to use as a base for sitting or lying down outside (rain jacket, foam mat, etc.).

Accommodation

We will mainly spend the night outside in tents, hammocks or under the open sky. Occasionally we will also stay in youth hostels or hotels.
Make sure you have everything you need for camping - tent, hammock, sleeping mat, sleeping bag - if you are missing something important, please let us know.
Also bring a headlamp.
We will mainly cook for ourselves on the trip. To do this, we will divide the group into smaller teams each day, which will take on various tasks together, such as shopping, camp construction, preparation and cooking.
Whenever possible, we will collect regional foods such as mushrooms and use them in our meals.
All cooking utensils such as stoves and pots are brought by the organization team.
You will need to bring your own basic crockery such as a bread bin, plates and cutlery.

I would really like to go! But unfortunately I don't have..

Tent, hammock, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, whatever - and I've already asked all my friends if they can lend me something, but nothing has worked - then get in touch with us.