Orient express- Istanbul to London

I think knowing what you want to do the other side of the Alps will help inform the route, at the most southern end you could do something like being planned in the Torino-Nice thread, at the most Northern/Eastern extreme you are meandering through Slovenia/Austria/Germany, with a fixed timeline it will probably come down to how you want to allocate your time pre and post alps

https://www.drauradweg.com/en/

I followed a chunk of this heading east to Slovenia through Austria/Italy, was a mix of tarmac and gravel, easy going.

Not ridden (or read the rest of the thread yet) but I have this saved as the nice route into Istanbul

Edit: quick glance suggests it can be made nicer

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/39168019

I didn’t cycle the Croatian coast road but ended up doing most of it on a coach (long story) and was glad I didn’t cycle it as it looked sketchy as fuck

Finally thinking of moving to a tailfin aeropack from a saddle bag for a little extra volume, solid waterproof and the extra stability. Anyone got any experience with them/ one they are looking to move on

@skinny has been testing tailfin

I’m back with a rough route outline, any comments would be greatly appreciated. Between the rhodope mountains and Montenegro I don’t really have much in the route so imagine there will be an improvement to be made there. Aiming to meet up with my gf at Split so might do some coast road and island hoping after that. After Switzerland I’m pretty much straight lining to mont st michel atm so imagine there could be some improvement to that. All feedback appreciated, cheers

https://www.komoot.com/tour/1061501108?ref=itd&share_token=a9I5me9lONo24kxAC0jaA9kEUoySnB7i1gVp7hDPcz2N5fh1yj

I cycled London to Croatia a while back. An alpine route I liked from Italy via Austria to Germany was Tolmezzo -Sappada - Sesto - Brunico - Brenner - Innsbruck - St Anton - Feldkirch - Bregenz . It was pretty, but might be too busy/quick, as I was on a time limit to get there. I also chose it to be “easier” as I wasn’t confident. The Brenner pass was actually ok, as nearly all the traffic uses the motorway, not the old road. Have a great time.

When are you doing the tour? If I'm on hols in Slovenia, you are welcome to stay couple of nights at my place there. Plenty of space and few bikes too :)

What sort of tyres you on?

Because the border between Kosovo and Montenegro, on the route above, isn't paved. I crossed above Rozaje which was nice.

What kind of bike are you on? There's some really nice gravel roads just inland on the Croatian coast, near Pag/Rab islands. About 1000m elevation. Went from 40 on the islands to 20 celsius on the mountain roads. Velebit national park

@Foreigner65 I’m leaving Istanbul June 29th I think so imagine I’ll be in Slovenia 4 /5 weeks later ish (not brave enough to set timelines quite yet haha)

For my bike I’m definitely road only so that will need some adjustment. On an older road frame so max I can fit is 25mm

No worries, ping me when few days away and if dates match my stay back 'home' we can arrange something.

And you seem brave enough to me.....riding such a long distance on those skinny tyres 😁