Overview
This varied and exciting route begins in London, through Essex and to the eastern port of Harwich. Here we’ll get an overnight ferry across to the Hook of Holland. The following day we continue our ride along the cycle lanes of The Netherlands, cross the border over into Germany, then finish in the incredible city of Hannover.
On Day 5 you’ll fly back to London. The More Adventure team will meet you here with your bicycles and luggage, and here the trip comes to an end.
Highlights
- Riding rural roads of Essex
- Catching an overnight ferry in Harwich and waking up in The Netherlands
- The incredible cycle lanes of The Netherlands
- Visiting the university city of Utrecht in The Netherlands
- Crossing the border from The Netherlands to Germany
- Ivy covered cottages, medieval heritage and the ruins of a castle at Tecklenburg
- Arriving at the iconic city of Hannover, Germany
Our Star Ratings
Here is an explanation of our cycling trip grades. Please bear in mind that total ascent, wind, rain and general riding conditions can play as important factors as the daily distances involved. Whilst we have stated some example distances, the overall difficulty assigned to each trip will encompass a range of these factors. If you are at all unsure of whether you think the trip is suitable, please contact us.
Easy: Suitable for those new to cycling seeking an introductory and very relaxed yet active experience on two wheels. Easy riding on short, flat and/or gently undulating routes. Approx 20 – 40 miles a day
Relaxed: Undulating terrain with occasional minor undulations for semi-regular novices who wish to develop fitness and ability. May include a few short steep climbs. Approx 40 – 50 miles a day
Moderate: Designed for cyclists with a good level of riding experience and fitness, and are comfortable riding for full days in the saddle. Routes will include some steep and/or sustained climbs. Not for those completely new to cycling. Approx 50 – 80 miles a day
Challenging: Routes with multiple steep and sustained climbs and technical descents and/or long distances. Riders need to be have a high level of fitness and stamina in addition to experience in riding over extended distances and/or tackling long ascents and descents. Approx 70 – 110 miles a day
Advanced: Designed for experienced cyclists with an excellent level of fitness and stamina. Routes are consistently long with multiple serious and steep ascents and descents throughout. High altitude ascents may be undertaken followed by technically demanding descents. Approx 80 – 120 miles a day
Itinerary
Day 1: London to Harwich
84 miles & 2700 feet ⬆ | 135km & 800m ⬆
Our ride starts in London. Here we’ll take some team photos and load up the support vehicle before heading east out of the city and into Essex. During our ride we skirt around Chelmsford and also stop for lunch in the pretty town of Maldon. Our ride today ends at Harwich where we’ll have an evening meal before boarding the overnight ferry to the Hook of Holland.
Day 2: Hook of Holland to Deventer
111 miles & 1500 feet⬆ | 178km & 500m⬆
After a good nights’ rest and breakfast on the ferry we begin our longest ride of the trip. From the Hook of Holland our route takes us east, skirting Rotterdam then through the beautiful city centre of Utrecht. It features a medieval old town, canals, Christian monuments, a well-respected university, and in 2020 will host the start of the Vuelta a Espana cycling race. A gradual climb leads to Amersfoot from which we descend to the river Ijssel and to our overnight stop, Deventer. Deventer is home to Holland’s oldest library, the Atheneumbibliotheek, and also Holland’s oldest park, the Worpplantsoen.
Day 3: Deventer to Osnabrück
97 miles & 2500 feet⬆ | 155km & 750m⬆
We leave Deventer to the east towards the city of Oldenzaal. We’ll cross the border into Germany, our third and final country of the trip just before lunch. Our route follows the Dortmund-Ems-Kanal through Riesenbeck before a climb up to the spectacular town of Tecklenburg. Aside from pretty little lanes framed by ivy covered cottages and medieval heritage, Tecklenburg is most famous for its Castle, built by the Countess Anna von Tecklenburg-Schwerin. Our overnight stop this evening is Osnabrück, which is known as Friedensstadt (“city of peace”) due to the part it played in negotiations at the end of the Thirty Years War.
Day 4: Osnabrück to Hannover
87 miles & 3600 feet⬆ | 138km & 1100m⬆
Our final day’s ride leaves Osnabrück to the east towards Rödinghausen. It’s a relatively undulating ride, with the biggest climb after Porta Westfalica and lunch. We’ll soon hit the outskirts of Hanover, the capital and largest city of the German state of Lower Saxony. Here we’ll have a celebratory meal before our final evening together in the city.
Day 5: Hannover to London
Your bicycles and luggage will be driven back to the UK for pickup (location and time TBC). You will catch a flight back from Hannover to collect your bicycle and luggage from the designated pickup point.
This itinerary is a guide only and can sometimes be subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. Whilst we endeavour to uphold the proposed daily mileages, this cannot be guaranteed due to changes to hotel bookings.
FAQs
Are there many hills on this trip?
Yes there is rolling countryside riding throughout the trip.
Will our bicycles and luggage be transferred back to London at the end of the trip?
Yes, the support vehicle will depart from Hannover on Day 5 and drop bicycles and luggage at a suitable location (TBC) for pickup.
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