Istanbul to Munich by bike

An ordinary couple on an extraordinary trip

In today’s interview, I am sitting with Anna and Chris, a Munich-based couple with an inspiring holiday story to tell. Join us as they remember cycling 3,000 km from Istanbul to Munich – across South-Eastern Europe and the Balkans – in six weeks. What makes their story truly extraordinary?
Anna and Chris aren’t professional athletes or seasoned adventurers – they’re pretty much the opposite – just like you and me, fit but not crazily trained, with a passion for exploration and a thirst for adventure. With lots of determination, they accumulated their vacation days and embarked on a once-in-a-lifetime trip (or maybe one of many more to come). Let’s discover how this idea emerged, what they learned during the trip and how they prepared for this adventure.

“One of the most amazing adventures ever and we believe (almost) everyone can do it!”

— Chris

Isi: How did you come up with the idea of six weeks cycling across two continents?

Chris: It all started during Corona. In 2020, we were wondering where we could go on holiday. Italy and Austria just opened their borders again. We wondered if it was possible to cycle all the way down to Venice. Yeah, that was our first tour where we slowly gained experience and found out what equipment we needed and how our physical condition was during the trip. And the year after, we cycled from Gothenburg to Stockholm, which is amazing because in Sweden you can stealth camp (almost) anywhere you like. Then, at a party, way after midnight, we decided that the next one had to be to another continent. And then we thought, would it be possible to cycle to Istanbul?

Isi: How did you come up with your itinerary?

You’ll find the GPX data of Anna and Chris’ prepared tour on Komoot here. N.B.: The actual route deviated slightly due to local peculiarities and conditions. Also, the Malnitz-Autoschleuse was unknown to Komoot so it displays a slightly weird detour in Austria.

Anna: Well, we thought that by planning a flexible route, we could make the most of our limited time of six weeks. So we decided to cycle from Istanbul towards Munich! That way we could catch a train at the later stages if we ran out of time. We wanted to explore as many countries as possible, avoiding the usual routes along the Adriatic coast and through the mountains of Greece. We were particularly interested in the Balkan Peninsula because we didn’t know much about the countries there and the cultural diversity there. On our must-see-list were countries like Montenegro, Kosovo, and Croatia. Also, we wanted to stop-over in some amazing cities such as Sofia, Kavala, or Pristina. After all, we had to make compromises because visiting all the capitals would have been too much of a detour.

Chris: So, once the goals were set, we planned the stages accordingly. We used a mix of apps like Komoot and Google Maps to plan our route, looking out for cyclable roads, possible stealth spots to stay overnight, camping sites and basic infrastructure along the way. As cyclists, we also had to consider factors like elevation and terrain type. Based on our previous experience, we aimed for an average of 80-85 kilometers per stage, sometimes more – sometimes less, resting on average 1-2 days every week. Moreover, you do have a learning curve effect – so after one or two weeks, you certainly become a lot more sportive and go a little faster and further.

Isi: How did you prepare physically for this adventure?

Chris: Well, it’s always good to begin slowly. Cycling to work is a good start. To kick off the season, you can go on little out-of-town trips, do a 30km/2h trip to the next cool lake [e.g. Starnberg from Munich], do a 60km/4h trip [e.g. Tegernsee from Munich] and a long weekend trip with luggage and tent [e.g. Achensee or Chiemsee from Munich]. This way, you can figure out your limits and gradually increase your fitness level. We also incorporated regular mountain biking trips on weekends to increase strength. But we didn’t prepare differently than we would have for a two-week trip. Other important areas, however, are your equipment, the ability to navigate and a strong mindset. Because all of a sudden, the route you planed initially is ending in the middle of nowhere on a lonely railroad track, or a nasty plant in Greece gives you 13 punctures in one tire which costs time and nerves. So you need to be prepared that not everything goes as planned and be able find pragmatic fixes as you go.

Anna: As to the equipment, we used mountain bikes because we enjoy both road and trail cycling. The choice of bike depends on the route and terrain. The bags you can use depend on your bike and only then you can choose your gear according to the number and size of the bags. Essential items include tools for repairs, specific spare parts for your bicycle, and medicine.

Chris: Indeed, it’s crucial to pack light and probably more important to not take things rather than overloading. We had to learn through experience what was truly essential – and other people may have different definitions of that. Separate bags serve different purposes, like one for cycling clothes or tools and one for “civil clothes” and camp items including cooking equipment – this way you find quickly what you need. With regards to clothing you need to be prepared for everything: hot, cold, wet, dry… and yes: even in peak summer it may get fairly chilly if you are in an elevated mountain area.

Isi: Did you encounter any dangers or unexpected challenges during your adventure?

Anna: The most challenging aspect was dealing with traffic and reckless drivers, especially because in most of the countries there were no dedicated cycle lanes. We had to be constantly vigilant, wore bright cloths and sometimes we were riding in the middle of the road to stop them from dangerous maneuvers.

Chris: Another problem was encounters with wild dogs between Turkey and, I’d say it stopped somewhere in Montenegro. They were chasing us, which was quite frightening and annoying. We then bought pepper spray along the route which prove quite effective. In general, you have to keep in mind that you are close to nature and in bear territory in some regions – so you need to respect some basic rules like not keeping food open etc. Last but not least, you have to mind the weather and possible sudden changes, especially in mountain areas. So do read the weather report as well as the sky, be prepared and find shelter if necessary.

Isi: It sounds like you had some remarkable experiences along the way, especially with the people you encountered.

Anna: Absolutely. One of the highlights was the hospitality and overwhelming kindness of the people we met, especially in Kosovo. Despite language barriers, we were welcomed with open arms, invited to camp on private ground or share meals with locals. It was a heartwarming aspect of our journey.

Chris: Yes, interacting with locals and experiencing their culture firsthand was incredibly rewarding. It gave us insights into different ways of life and left us with unforgettable memories: Like the cop in Kosovo who went to buy beer for us and invited us to his home where we learned about their lives and hopes for the future. Or the family that let us camp in their super nice garden and provided dinner, breakfast and supplies. Unbelievably kind!

Isi: Traveling by bike certainly offers unique opportunities to connect with people and cultures. It seems like your adventure was both physically challenging and culturally enriching.

Chris: Definitely. It was all in one: a sportive holiday, a wellness holiday, an educational holiday, a culinary holiday, a sightseeing holiday … what else? We encourage everyone to give it a try: start with shorter trips, gain experience with planning/navigating as well as the equipment and then gradually increase your range as you become more comfortable. It’s not only about the physical aspect – it allows you to experience the world in a very, very different and much more intense way. And the wellness aspect is amazing: you enter a much more natural rhythm with very good nights of sleep and come back super relaxed.

Isi: Thank you both for sharing your inspiring journey with us! I’m sure it will inspire others to embark on their own adventures!

If you got any questions or comments for Anna and Chris, let us know in the comments below.

You’ll find more inspiring people’s stories here.

Posted By: Isi · In: People & perspectives