IRON CURTAIN ROUTE

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
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tucker
Posts: 12
Joined: 8 Mar 2013, 4:31pm

IRON CURTAIN ROUTE

Post by tucker »

Has anyone cycled the Iron Curtain Route,I am wanting to do the section from Germany, Poland, Estonia etc to St. Petersburg next year, I know Bikeline do a guide but I want to know the condition of the paths etc, asphalt , gravel or dirt tracks.
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foxyrider
Posts: 6044
Joined: 29 Aug 2011, 10:25am
Location: Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Re: IRON CURTAIN ROUTE

Post by foxyrider »

Did a short stretch in Germany last year which was a mixture of tarmac and forest road with a pretty difficult surface to climb on! (i never walk and i had to on this trail!) This was on the Thuringen/Bavaria stretch west of Hof

I might have just hit a bad section but the Bikeline Guide indicates long stretches of similar trail - it might improve in areas that are more used i guess.
Convention? what's that then?
Airnimal Chameleon touring, Orbit Pro hack, Orbit Photon audax, Focus Mares AX tour, Peugeot Carbon sportive, Owen Blower vintage race - all running Tulio's finest!
andymiller
Posts: 1716
Joined: 8 Dec 2007, 10:26am

Re: IRON CURTAIN ROUTE

Post by andymiller »

OK you've probably already looked at the official site, but it does have a fairly detailed description and maps. I'll post the links here, just in case you haven't seen them (and other people may be interested):

- Northern section
- section through Germany
- southern section

- Brochure (pdf)
- not very detailed map

You could order the Bikeline guides from Amazon and return them if you decide not to do the route.
bidi
Posts: 45
Joined: 26 Feb 2013, 11:16pm

Re: IRON CURTAIN ROUTE

Post by bidi »

Thanks — what a fantastic route!

I'm leaving next year for a 5 year round-the-world cycle adventure and happily waste a great deal of time poring over maps and world atlases planning routes. I've been looking for a 'meaningful' way to begin the journey and this Iron Curtain Trail really intrigues me. The route appears new, there's not much information about it on the 'web and so far I've not found any reference to anyone who's cycled it from end to end. I want to!

Can't believe I've never heard of this route before. Thank heavens for the internet!
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Sweep
Posts: 8442
Joined: 20 Oct 2011, 4:57pm
Location: London

Re: IRON CURTAIN ROUTE

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Sweep
spicerack
Posts: 42
Joined: 25 May 2010, 1:02pm

Re: IRON CURTAIN ROUTE

Post by spicerack »

I love the Eurovelo scheme and have been dreaming about the Iron Curtain Trail for a few years. It looks like there has been some progress lately, but does anyone know how well all the sections meet up or how much is signed? I guess I should buy the guides if I really want to know.
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