Jun 12 2015

Moselle River Trail: Metz to Thionville

Veloroute Charles le Temerarire

trail sign to help people on trail tours.

This way to great trail tours.

This portion of the Moselle River Trail is known locally as the Veloroute Charles le Temerarire or the Charles Temaraire Bicycle Path. It is named after Duke Charles the Bold. I studied the history of Charles le Temeraire in hopes that he was some glorious French leader worthy of having a bike trail named after him. I was disappointed. He was quite a scoundrel. But I’ll let you form your own opinion about this dastardly duke. So let’s start our journey down the Moselle River Bike Path in the beautiful & historic French City of Metz.

History of Metz France

Of course you can bike this trail in any direction, but the vast majority of bicyclists will

bike riders on Moselle trail

bike riders on Moselle trail

start their Moselle River Trail in the absolutely gorgeous and historic French town of Metz. Metz is located in northeastern France in the state of Lorraine. It has been an important town for over 3,000 years. Here’s an abbreviated history of Metz by era:

  • Celtic times – Metz was the capital of Celtic Mediotrius nearly 3,000 years ago.
  • Roman times – The Romans renamed the city Divodorum Mediomatricorum. Eventually the name evolved into modern-day Metz. During this period, Metz was a more important city than Paris.
  • Medieval years/middle ages – Metz was home to one of the most important Bishoprics in the Catholic church. This is why so many churches/cathedrals were built here.
    mirage numida is a water skiing lizard on the Veloute Charles le Temeraire trail

    Moselle Water Skiing Lizard

  • Reformation – … and then… The majority of the Metz population converted to protestantism. (out of the friar pan and into the fire)
  • 19th & 20th centuries – Germany occupied Metz twice until American military forces liberated Metz in 1944 and return the Lorraine region to French dominion.

You may be only in Metz for the Moselle River Path (trail), but if you only see one thing in Metz, you should visit the Cathedral St. Etienne. It is gorgeous and has the largest expanse of stained glass in any one building in the world. Oh, what the heck, also visit the Museum La Cour d’Or, and the Center Pompidou-Metz and the Basilica of Saint-Pierre-aux-Nonnains and the Chapelle des Templers and bike the local bike paths in Metz and… Maybe you should just plan a few days in Metz before you start your trail

bridge on the veloroute charles le temeraire

Bike Riders on Veloroute

excursion.

Bike Path from Metz to Thionville

This portion of the bike trail is known as the Veloroute de Charles de Temeraire. (from Metz to Aspach) As of 2015, this bicycle path is complete from Metz to Thionville. Therefore, you can now pedal all the way from Metz, France to the Rhine River in Germany. (and then ride some more on the Rhine River bike trails) The Charles le Temeraire Bike Pathi is very well signposted and, in general, quite easy to follow. However there is currently a very small section of the river trail that is closed. This section of trail is in Metz and may well be open by the time you begin your journey.

cold beer by French trail

trailside refreshments

That’s the good news. The bad news is that trail detours are not as well marked as the actual trail. So if there are signs, follow them. But if not, just stay as close to the trail as possible and get back to it as soon as you can. It’s not too difficult. If there’s a detour, it will take you away from the river. So your goal is to head back toward the river as soon as possible. The current closed section of the trail is less than a quarter of a mile, so it isn’t a major setback, and you won’t miss much trail. Another tip for staying on the trail is to follow signs that either point toward Thionville or La Maxe. In fact, I assumed La Maxe meant “The Trail” or “The Way” or “The Route.” I was wrong. It’s just pointing toward a trailside town named La Maxe. Easy Peasy.

Skip the Bike Train and Take the Bike Trail

Up until recently, bicyclists were advised to skip the Metz to Thionville section of the trail and just take the regional train (Bikes aren’t allowed on this TGV route.) to Thionville. This made sense since no one wants to ride their bike on roads. (Sorry road bikers.) Plus, the train from Metz to Thionville is ridiculously inexpensive, somewhere in the $5 range. But now that the trail is done, the train is so 2014s. It’s a pretty decent slog from Metz to Perl, but with a great trail like the

Veloroute Charles le Temeraire, you’ll enjoy the ride.

French soldiers march on the Moselle River Trail in France.

troops on the trail

Tips for Biking the Veloroute Charles le Temerarire

The bike path on this section of the Moselle River Trail is very nice, but often not very wide. You may need to use your bike bell when approaching groups of walkers or leisurely cyclists or … military platoons. That’s right… I said military platoons. This area is heavily used by the French military for field training, so you are likely to share the trail with a troop of dedicated but weary soldiers. You can’t help but feel sorry for these young recruits as they march in full uniform with absolutely huge packs and a rifle held, at the ready, in front of them. They are probably hot, tired and sweaty but, on the bright side, you are probably on the safest trail in the world. No thugs will be bothering you. It’s like you have your own private army to protect you. But make sure you alert these brave soldiers when passing them. All it takes is a little tinkle of your bike bell or a quick warning of “velo” to let them know a bicyclist is approaching them. Even though they are probably dog-tired, they will likely smile and greet you with a friendly French “bon jour.”

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2015/06/12/moselle-river-trail-metz-to-thionville/

Jun 10 2015

Bike Paths in Metz, France

velomet rental bike in Metz, France

Velomet rental bike

Metz Bike Rental Program

If you are visiting Metz, France, there’s a good chance you don’t have a bicycle. Well you’re in luck. There’s a bikeshare program in Metz called VeloMet that allows you to rent a bicycle for the extremely reasonable rate of €3 per day or €8 per week. The VeloMet “office” is locate right near the Metz Cathedral near the city center. This area is hard to miss because:

  1. The cathedral is massive and gorgeous and contains the largest expanse of stained glass in the world.
  2. There are signs all over town pointing toward the Couer de Ville. (heart of the town)

The address for the Cathedral VeloMet station is: VELOMET’ CATHEDRALE, Rue d’Estrées, Proche Cathédrale, 57000

St. Etienne de Metz Cathedral in Metz, France

St. Etienne de Metz

METZ. Although the price for the VeloMet rental bikes is quite reasonable, be forewarned; they want a €200 deposit and (this is the crazy part) they want it in CASH. They do not accept credit cards. So go prepared to pay the €200 plus the rental cost of €3 or €8. So now you have a bicycle to tour the bike paths of Metz, France.

Metz Bike Trails

You will find bike lanes all over Metz. Some of them are protected lanes and others are not. But the best part of biking in Metz, France is the bike trails.There are scads of them, and they’re awesome. Most of the bike paths follow along some sort of water route such as a canal or riv.er. Finding a name for these trails is nearly impossible. They

canal trail in Metz, france

swans in canal by trail

are not well signed and most of the locals don’t even know the names for the various bike paths. Some of the names for these bike paths may be:

Or not. These are logical guesses based upon the few signs along the trail.

But it doesn’t matter what they’re called, they’re beautiful and peaceful (on weekdays anyway). As you stroll or bike along the trail, you will likely see swans, flowers, houseboats, canal barges and castle/rampart walls. It’s like biking through medieval Europe with an occasional road crossing.

circuit des ramparts path

Circuit des Ramparts

Metz also has a more prominent and lengthy bike path known as the Veloroute de Charles Temeraire. It is fairly new and, once again, it’s extremely hard to get information about it from the locals. So I’ll be riding part or all of it tomorrow and writing a post about it right here on Trailsnet.com.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2015/06/10/bike-paths-in-metz-france/

Jun 09 2015

Paris Bike Trails & Walking Paths

Transportation Options in Paris

pedestrian-only road

pedestrians on Champs-Elysee

Paris visitors have many options for getting around the town. Some are both functional and fun. Others are downright unrealistic. Let’s take a brief look at each of the Paris transportation options from unrealistic to sensible:

  • rental car – Don’t even think about it. Traffic is a nightmare and navigation is nearly impossible.
  • taxi – This is a very expensive option and not always a pleasant experience.
  • mass transit – The Metro, RER (versions of Underground/subway) and buses might be a fast and reliable option but not a safe one. Pickpockets are absolutely rampant in Paris and their favorite stomping grounds are the Metro/RER stations. They especially thrive on places where tourists congregate. The Gare du Nord terminal is especially notorious for thieves.
    sidewalk above Seine River in Paris, France

    In-Seine pedestrian options

  • bicycling – Paris is making efforts to improve the bicycle infrastructure. So in some places, at some times, it is an acceptable option. Avoid rush hours, weekends & holidays, and biking in Paris can be a pleasant experience although occasionally stressful. Paris bike trails are available, but often crowded.
  • walking – This is probably the best option, if possible for your particular situation. Paris is a fairly walkable city and even more so if you know what you’re doing and where you’re going. Pedestrian-only streets and paths are springing up everywhere. (more on this below)

Let’s take a closer look at bicycling and walking in Paris.

bike rally in paris france

bikers near the Louvre

Bike Paths in Paris

Paris is not one of the better cities for bike paths. Although there are many trails and roads that allow bikes, they take second and third fiddle to cars and pedestrians. However, if you are very patient and even more careful, you can bike your way around Paris. After all, many locals do it on a daily basis. If you decide that biking Paris is going to be your thing, then please watch out for the following pitfalls:

paris bike lanes

bike path along Seine River

  • cars – They’re everywhere. Admittedly, most of them are very patient of cyclists. But, as always, it only takes one who is not so patient or courteous. And there are quite a few speed-demon motorists in Paris.
  • pedestrians – As I wrote above, Paris is a walkable city. Therefore, it is absolutely cram-packed with pedestrians. about a fourth of those are locals who are often in a hurry to get to work or play. The rest are tourists who are not in a hurry and are not paying attention to bicyclists.
  • thieves – You must lock your bike, even when leaving it for a short while.

What’s that you say? You didn’t bring your bike with you to Paris? Well fortunately for you there is the…

Velib Bicycle Rental Program

velib bike rental in paris

Velib rental station

Just like Bikeshare programs in the U.S. and Boris Bikes in the UK, Paris has a bicycle rental scheme called Paris Velib bike share. In theory, it’s a great program that allows both locals and tourists to rent bikes, on a short-term basis to get around Paris. The price is right at only around €1.70 per day. Stations are located all over Paris, and you can pick-up a bike in one place and drop it off at another, so it is also very convenient. So why do I say it’s a great program “in theory?” Because I tried, numerous times to rent one of the bikes and, each time, it rejected not one but both of my credit cards. Just the week before, I had used the London Boris Bikes/ Santander Cycles with no problem. Plus, the same credit cards were accepted by Paris merchants right before and after I attempted to rent the bikes. The cards worked fine at other businesses. So I can’t continue this review of the Velib Bike Rental program because I never got to use the bikes.

Walking Paths in Paris

seine river pedestrian bridges

pedestrian bridge over Seine River

Now this is where Paris shines. Other than the notorious pickpockets, Paris is well-suited for walking around. The Seine pedestrian path alone makes Paris a great option for walkers, joggers and hikers. It is a beautiful path. Or more precisely, it’s a beautiful series of paths along the Seine River. In some places, there are as many as four footpaths running parallel to each other along the river w/ two different paths, at two different levels on both sides of the river. Plus, crossing the Seine River is a breeze with all the pedestrian bridges and raised pedestrian sidewalks on most of the other bridges. And if that isn’t enough, there are a whole slew of pedestrian-only streets all throughout the city. And for still more walking pleasure,  foot travelers can visit nearby towns such as Versailles for further rambling excursions.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2015/06/09/paris-bike-trails-walking-paths/

Jun 04 2015

London Bike Trails

Bike Trails in Hyde Park, Green Park & St. James Park

Well-marked paths

Well-marked paths

For those of you who think the only good bike trails are in the mountains, it’s time for you to meet some beautiful urban bike trails in the heart of Westminster and London, England. London (technically Westminster) is the home of three absolutely gorgeous urban parks:

  • Hyde Park
  • Green Park
  • St. James Park

These three parks are criss-crossed with an incredible network of trails for bicyclists, walkers and equestrians. So even if you’re not a fan of city biking or road biking, you’ll find a scenic and peaceful network of trails whether you are a resident of London or a visitor. The trails are well marked (see photo above) to let guest know where it is and isn’t alright to ride bikes. It’s not unusual, however, to see walkers, bicyclists and equestrians peacefully coexisting in the same park areas.

What’s So Great About Bike Riding in London Parks?

bike lanes in hyde park london

Park Trails Clearly Marked

London Parks are a peaceful oasis in the midst of the urban bustle. This especially true early in the morning and on most weekdays. For a major city, the London & Westminster Park trails are relatively tranquil. Plus, the parks department takes great pride in their landscaping. Guests will find gorgeous flower gardens, vast expanses of green lawn and even some preserved areas that provide a glimpse of what the area may have offered for hunting regency and nobility hundreds of years ago.

London Cycle Hire System

But what if you didn’t pack your bicycle in your carry-on luggage? No worry. London has a fantastic cycle hire system. It has many advantages and many names. It goes by all of the following names:

Hyde Park flower gardens

Flower Gardens in Park

  • Cycle Hire
  • Boris Bikes
  • Santander Cycles
  • Barclay Bikes

No matter what name you call it, the London Cycle Hire system works well and is worth considering for the following reasons:

  • It is quite inexpensive. I was able to rent a cycle for 24 hours for only £2.
  • It is convenient; you can find Cycle Hire bikes all over London. Find a Santander Cycles Docking Station by visiting this web page.
  • There are many places to ride your bike while in London. One of the best bike riding areas is in Hyde Park.
  • The Boris Bikes provide you with exercise while in London.
    flowers bloom in Hyde Park

    Fauna & Flora in Hyde Park

  • The Cycle Hire bicycles are great for both recreation and transportation.

Best Times and Places to Ride Bikes in London

  • As mentioned above, Hyde Park is a great place for riding bikes in Westminster & London. The best time to ride bikes in Hyde Park is weekdays since it is less crowded than on weekends.
  • If you’d like to ride your bikes on the streets of London, be very cautious. Keep in mind that:
    • folks in the UK drive on the left-hand side of the road.
    • there are many tourists milling about.
      flowers grow in Hyde Park near trail

      Secret Garden in Hyde Park

    • you will find numerous one-way roads, so always look both ways when crossing the street.
    • It’s a major city, therefore it’s incredibly busy. People are quite tolerant, but not alway vigilant.
    • pedestrians rule the roost, so be very careful of them and yield to pedestrians. In many pedestrian-only zones, such as Leicester Square, you should dismount you bicycle and walk it.
  • The best time to roam the streets on a bicycle is early mornings on weekends or very early mornings on weekdays.  The traffic is much less hectic at those times, but you still need to ride with caution.

 

 

 

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2015/06/04/london-bike-trails/

May 29 2015

Trailsnet Accepts Donations

Help Trailsnet Build a Network of Trails

Beginning on May 14, 2015, Trailsnet.com began accepting donations to help build a network of trails on the internet. Check out the awesome “Donate” button at the top of the right-hand column on this (and other) Trailsnet page(s). Running a not-for-profit website takes a lot of time and resources. Running a professional-looking trail website takes even more resources. Up until now, all of the expenses associated with Trailsnet have come out of the pockets (bank accounts, credit cards) of Trailsnet’s founder. Believe me, that is a very limited pool of resources and funding. (-:

Where Do Your Trailsnet Donations Go?

Here is a list of just some of the areas where Trailsnet will be able to utilize your generous contributions:

  • Website development – Let’s make this page look professional and function smoothly.
  • Video tutorials – Trailsnet could sure use some professional-looking video tutorials to help people learn how to add trails and find new trails.
  • New logo – I know. We all love the current Trailsnet logo. But, unfortunately, it is a little dated and not very inclusive. It’s great if you’re a trail biker, but we have to remember our hiking, inline skating, trail-running and equestrian buddies, not to mention all the other PTVs Trailsnet has vowed to include.
  • Crowd-funding campaign – When it’s time to make the big leap and totally redesign the website, we’ll need a campaign to raise funds and to increase our visibility. Once again, a professional-looking video overview would be nice but a bit costly.
  • Trail conventions – So far, Trailsnet has had very little visibility among trail professionals. So, in essence, Trailsnet is invisible to those who need to see it the most. It’s time for a Trailsnet presence at trail symposiums, conventions and other gatherings of trail movers and shakers, both domestically and internationally.

Please Be Among the First to Donate to Trailsnet.com

Trailsnet could use your help. Trailsnet accepts donations of any size are greatly appreciated. The process is simple. The Trailsnet Donate Campaign uses Paypal, so your donation transactions are safe and secure. You can use either your Paypal account or any of the major credit cards to make your donation. Please help Trailsnet to build the world’s first, best and only comprehensive network of trails on the internet. Because trails are good for health, fitness, recreation, transportation, the environment and the economy. And Trailsnet.com is good for trails, because what good are trails if we can’t find them? Trailsnet is designed to help people find trails. So Please donate today and add your favorite trails on Trailsnet.com every day.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2015/05/29/trailsnet-accepts-donations/

May 29 2015

Bicycle Paths in Iceland

Reykjavik Bike Paths

lighted bike path in Iceland

bike path near Blue Lagoon

I was pleasantly surprised to see that Iceland has an extensive network of bike paths in and around Reykjavik. This includes the area around the Blue Lagoon on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland. After a short bus ride from Iceland Keflavik Airport to the Blue Lagoon, I was impressed by all the bike paths I saw. These bicycle trails ran beside the roads but were completely separate from the roads. They were mostly paved cycleways and not only followed the roads but provided access to nearby businesses and residences. I found it heartening and amazing that a country that nearly went bankrupt a few years ago has found the funding to provide a safe alternative transportation solution for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Bike Trails to the Blue Lagoon

bathers enjoy the warm waters of Iceland's Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland

Although I was unable to ascertain whether the bike paths ran ALL the way from Keflavik to the Blue Lagoon, it was pretty obvious that a safe cycling path was available at least most of the way there. Surprisingly, these paths don’t show up on most internet searches nor on Google Maps. In fact Google Maps doesn’t even show that biking is an option for getting around on the southwestern peninsula of Iceland. This demonstrates the need for a more comprehensive bike path directory on the internet.

London Bike Trails & Pedestrian Paths

The next Trailsnet blog post will be about the pedestrian and bicycle trails in London, England area. Are London bike trails safe? Are the London cycleways a viable alternative for tourist exploration? I look forward to exploring the bike trail system in London and reporting the results here on Trailsnet.com. Anyone with suggestions or comments, please leave them below.

Permanent link to this article: https://trailsnet.com/2015/05/29/bicycle-paths-in-iceland/