Baltic States

[Rob D]

I know this is a bit late, but did either Ian or Jonathan end up going? Or anyone else?

I'm vaguely wondering about it for next year, been on my list for several years. It's likely to be a solo trip due to my wife's knee problem, but the lack of hills may, possibly encourage her???

Any tips or experiences would be wonderful.

Thanks, Rob

[Jdsk]

We didn't go this year because of other commitments.

And I never solved all of the steps of getting the bikes there and back. At one point I started looking into hiring.

Jonathan

[Rob D]

Thanks Jonathan. Topographical, it looks like it might be dull, but pieces I've read talk about how beautiful it all is.

I'd be tempted to drop down into Poland, too, if time allows, making a circular route. Assuming I can leave a bike box somewhere, this would avoid the problems we had in Norway, getting boxes in Harstad and Hammerfest. In both, promised boxes were unavailable.

[simonthread]

If you need any advice regarding the Polish and Latvian parts of the Baltic Sea, I'll be glad to help. I already mentioned this in one of the threads over the past few weeks. Here up-to-date tracks after the latest changes:

www.cyclingthread.com/cycling-baltic-sea-coast-eurovelo-10-in-pomorskie

www.komoot.com/tour/2531425279

www.cyclingthread.com/eurovelo-10-bicycle-route-in-poland-velo-baltica-in-west-pomerania

www.komoot.com/tour/2520371202

Most important - avoid July and August if possible. May, June, September, or even October if it's warm, are the best months for a trip. The key reason is the availability of one-night affordable accommodation, since July and August are the peak holiday months in Poland, and the Baltic Sea is still the number one summer destination for Polish families.

A very good hub for traveling around the southern Baltic is Gdańsk - flights to and from the UK, a direct train to and from Berlin, and a direct train to and from Szczecin (which is the other end of Poland's EuroVelo 10). If you ever need to store a bike box in Gdańsk, I'll be glad to help.

S.

[Rob D]

Hi Simon. That's really great, thank you! I'll look at the links in depth later.

Much appreciated,

Rob

[Rob D]

Hi Simon. I've been looking at the links, really interesting. Slightly concerned about the accommodation issues, as those months were (I'd thought), likely times to be away.

I've made a very basic potential route on CT, starting at Tallinn, going west, out to the islands and down to Gdansk, obviously avoiding Kaliningrad (note FCDO advises against all travel to Russia). But what are the prevailing winds here - might it be better heading north?

The distance makes me think I'd be better going for an A to B route rather than circular. If I/we ended up in Gdansk, can I assume I'd be able to get a bike box or two there? I'd try to pre-arrange it if possible.

Many thanks,
Rob