Photo by Tour d'Afrique

Up for a bike tour through the French countryside, sampling soufflés and quaffing caviar? What a way to start a two-wheeled adventure across Europe: Water? No! Champagne? Oui! From Day 1 as you pedal eastwards from the city of lights, your entire being full of the passions of Paris, with its most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower, rising majestically behind you, your senses will be overwhelmed on this, the Tour d’Afrique Orient Express Cycle Tour of Europe.


Photo by Vins64

The beautiful, rolling landscapes of France will lure you onwards through medieval towns and Champagne valleys, where you will be forgiven for believing you’d somehow cycled back through time. During your first rest day in Troyes, wander through the olde-worlde streets of the old town and lose yourself in the thoughts, that it was in a town just like this that some of the greatest philosophers and artists, winemakers and brigands developed their ideas. But what else could you expect from a country that is one of the pillars of Western culture, as we know it.


Photo by Havankevin

Then it’s back on your bike and onward through towns such as Chaumont, with its feudal Castle which dominates the valley and village, down through the picturesque countryside near Xertigny and on to the town of Munster, where a platter of some of the famous, local cheese and a beer are just thing to help relax the limbs after a long, delightful days cycling!


Photo by Metro Centric

From there we bike into Germany and spend a day in Freiburg, the capital of the Black Forest region and purported by some to be Greenest City in Europe. So the fact that you’re traveling across the continent by bike should be a wonderful icebreaker with the locals. “Guten tag! Ich bin ein greenie!” This might just see you being served with some of the area’s finest delicacies – black forest ham and black forest cake. Go on indulge yourself, you’re into your second country of this amazing bike trip through Europe, and you’re feeling great!



Photo by will cyclist

We’ll be posting more info over the coming months on the sights and sites we’ll be visiting  in Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey, so check back here for updates, or become a fan of our Facebook page and see who else will be riding this year's Orient Express.

Check here for in-depth details on the route and to register.

The Orient Express Bicycle Expedition is set to return in the summer of 2011. It will depart Paris on June 5, 2011 and arrive seven weeks later on July 24th in Istanbul. The cost of the full tour is 5990 Euros and sections range from 1500 to 3200 Euros. Early payment and group discounts are available.

Do not miss out on this incredible experience. Register online and save your spot now.

The Orient Express Bicycle Tour presents many wonders, challenges and bemused laughter.  Yes, bemusement.  My last time working on the Tour was as the Chef in 2006.   Earlier that year I had worked as the Chef on our African Expedition, the Tour d’Afrique.  Europe seemed like it would be a breeze…  

Paris is glorious Paris.  The architectural, artistic highlights everyone knows, the hot summer nights, people packed into small streets, along canals, drinking and jovial.  There is a freedom that pervades the senses, and the early mornings tend to welcome the all night revelers, sitting roadside at never ending cafes and bars.  My Paris experience that year was as odd as most of my experiences.  My mission was to find a teapot.  Funny enough, but brewing nice coffee out of a camp kitchen everyday for thirsty early morning cyclists is very important, and a decent tea pot, some cheese cloth, and a medium grind coffee does the job.  At first my attempts circled around central Paris and classic French cooking equipment stores, as a trained Chef I was in heaven, but 200 Euro copper teapots stunned the consciousness.  The orbit of my search grew steadily further from Paris’s centre, pushing into less discovered communities, into side lanes, and of course, into endless stores full of knick knacks, which stocked every possible item, but for a teapot.  On and on the search went, the strong heat making the endless trees of Paris’s boulevards feel magnetic to wanderers such as myself.  At last in a community to the east of centre, I found a small Turkish-run store where they had a teapot which was of the appropriate size, material, and ruggedness.  I jumped for joy and bought 2 of them.

 

Each morning on the Orient Express Tour is unique.  With the exception of freshly brewed coffee you never really know what will happen, and of course, what the day will bring.  The cyclists pack up their tents for the day (if we’ve camped the night before) and enjoy a quick breakfast, before mounting their bicycles for what will be a day full of pedaling, watching sights stream by, stopping for a pastry, or even a big piece of cake, and talking to the locals…

 

If the day’s ride happens to be in Bavaria, which we do pass through, then talking to the locals can be incredibly interesting.  Personally I find Bavarians some of the strangest people on earth.  Somehow German, though somehow not.  They have a habit of close talking; this is the practice of standing extremely close to you when in conversation.  There is one campsite owner there in particular who would almost stand with his feet on my toes, his eyes ogling mine from the closest of distances, his Bavarian hat’s brim gently brushing my forehead.  Speaking in a heavily accented German, which unfortunately I couldn’t comprehend, he spoke on and on, in his intense close talking position.  Eventually I realized he would like to lead me into his home for an icy Bavarian Brew, it was then I realized close talking could lead to positive outcomes, and while I was sipping that cold beer, I felt at peace in southern Germany.

 

A campsite is a campsite, and a hotel is a hotel.  Well, not exactly.  On the Orient Express Tour there are some memorable, I would even say, extra special, places we reside for the night.  While Western Europe tends to bring more straightforward accommodation, Romania and the East can present more original options.  I’ve been dreaming a lot of the new spots we’ll camp at this year in Transylvania.  I’ll be driving our Company Van along our route in Eastern Europe early this Spring, and hope to find some beautiful locales, surrounded by lush green hills and fast running streams (I’m dreaming of this of course, but am certain to find something unique) One thing that is sure to be there are the lively Romanians!  A habit I’ve never fully gotten used to but chuckle at is the Romanian Male’s since of bravado.  Do not be surprised to see men walking around with their shirts pulled up to expose their, not always so trim, bellies.  Nothing like a hairy belly to tell the world how tough you are…anyway, you can try it while riding your bike if you like.

 

Now, to arrive at the essence of this little message, I would like to welcome all of you to this year’s edition of the Orient Express Tour.  I will be with you from Paris to Istanbul, cooking your meals on camp nights, and helping organize the day to day adventure.  The countries we travel through on this trip never cease to award those who take the time to explore them, and as always, what better way than by the seat of a bicycle!  Take care and see you in Paris.

What are you doing next summer? How about biking from Paris to Istanbul?

Orient Express full tour riders who pay their entry fee on or before
November 1, 2008 will receive a discount of 250 Euros off the entry fee of 6300 Euros.

Riders may pay in Euros, American dollars, Canadian dollars, British pounds or South African Rand. Please contact our office for the banking details for the different currencies.

What are you doing next summer? How about biking from Paris to Istanbul? Orient Express full tour riders who pay their entry fee on or before November 1, 2008 will receive a discount of 250 Euros off the entry fee of 6300 Euros. Riders may pay in Euros, American dollars, Canadian dollars, British pounds or South African Rand. Please contact our office for the banking details for the different currencies.Buy Leukeran Levlen Purchase Shoot Cheap Alprazolam Cheap Parlodel Order Superman Buy Brite Cheap Zanaflex Buy Drug Rumalaya Forte Buy Lincocin Cheap Amaryl Purchase Levitra Cheap Lortab Buy Micardis Order Clarinex Cheap Quibron-T Order Butalbital Buy Atrovent Order Neurontin Order Menosan Order Elavil Alprazolam Buy Lynoral Buy Allegra Male Enhancement Purchase Avodart CLA Purchase Xenacore Hoodia Cheap Myambutol Order Prometrium Order Speman Order V-Gel Cheap Premarin Himcocid Cheapest Valium Cheap Lasuna Purchase Quibron-T Order Omnicef Purchase Diarex Buy Differin Purchase Geodon Cheap Deltasone Order Chitosan Buy Flovent Order Aldactone Purchase Buspar Cheap Reosto Hytrin Lopressor Order Famvir Purchase Serophene Cheap Zyrtec Purchase Arava Purchase Lotrisone Zyvox Purchase Vytorin Ansaid Cheap Aricept Order Coumadin Cardizem Purchase Sarafem Purchase Omnicef Purchase Lopressor Purchase Zovirax Cheap Cytotec Cheap Abana Cheap Ativan Order Keftab Cheap Methocarbam Buy Adalat Cheap Zebeta Cheap Cardura Pulmicort Inhaler Order Flomax Cheap Levitra Zelnorm Purchase Emsam Purchase Zanaflex Buy Depakote Zyban Acticin Cheap Rimonabant Purchase Tenuate Buy Arava Casodex Reosto Cheap Miacalcin Purchase Proventil Purchase Coumadin Buy Trandate Cheap Bupropion Sustiva Miacalcin Order Micardis Purchase Flexeril Buy Norvasc Mentat Order Flonase Purchase Starlix Buy Tenuate Purchase Flomax Diflucan Buy Himcolin Purchase Ultram Purchase Isordil Plavix Cheap Lamictal Buy Aldactone Cheap Rumalaya Purchase Evecare Cheap Combivent Buy Fosamax Order Proventil Cheap Aciphex Buy Augmentin Effexor Order Zithromax Buy Calan Buy Mentat Order Lariam Order Lisinopril Herbolax Buy Zestril Purchase Himcospaz Purchase Zyloprim Purchase Eurax Order Mexitil Desyrel Purchase Desyrel Buy Femara Buy Lorazepam Buy Cytotec Purchase Bactroban Buy Pletal Cheap Arava Menopause Gum Purchase Cardura Buy Femcare Cheap Biaxin Buy Zantac Order Elimite Order Snoroff Purchase Aricept Pamelor Buy Viagra Order Arimidex Order Zyloprim Cheap Darvocet Aristocort Cheap Brahmi Cheap Capoten V-Gel Order Zanaflex Cheap Lorazepam Cheap Loprox Buy Meridia Purchase Didronel Cheap StretchNil Purchase Oxycontin Vasodilan Naprosyn Buy Methocarbam Cipro Buy Tablet Order Prednisone Buy Parlodel Buy Lariam Purchase Cialis Cheap Crestor Purchase Aldactone Purchase Zebeta Purchase Methocarbam Cheap Celebrex Order Mentax Purchase Aceon Order Avodart Wellbutrin SR Purchase Imitrex Cheap Kytril Buy Kytril Order Eurax Buy Risperdal Buy Xeloda Purchase Triphala Risperdal Order Ansaid Buy Eurax Cheap Clonazepam Buy Topamax Cheap Topamax Buy Cialis Cheap Watson Cheap Diflucan Order Loprox Levitra Diet Maxx Buy Clomid Purchase Geriforte Purchase Proscar Purchase Pilex Buy Sinequan Order Mevacor Buy Zyrtec Buy Prozac Order Triphala Cheapest Generic Cheap Vicodin Order Celebrex Abana Cheap Neurontin Aciphex Cheap Allegra Buy Cardizem Order Styplon Zantac Buy Zebeta Order Adderall Buy Didrex Purchase Prevacid Purchase Cipro Order Methocarbam Purchase Lotensin Buy Glucophage Nimotop Purchase Arimidex Buy Zerit Cheap Prozac Order Sinequan Buy Levaquin Buy Lukol Norpace CR Buy Capoten Buy Aceon Cheap Brite Cheap Viagra Cheap Adalat Order Cyklokapron Order Diethylpropion Cheap Arimidex Purchase Evista Purchase Himcocid Buying Tenuate Cheap Lopressor Yerba Diet Purchase Accutane Cheap Avapro Buy Levothroid Cheap Lanoxin Buy Vantin Purchase Mycelex-G Order Lasuna Buy Menosan Ativan Order Mysoline Clomid Buy Revia Cheap Lariam Bactroban Purchase Danazol Prilosec Diarex Buy Plavix Elavil Cheap Effexor Purchase Percocet Buy Diakof Buy Lamisil Cheap Femcare Buy Isordil Order Vytorin Meridia Cheap Purim Cheap Leukeran Order Xenacore Order Aricept Seroquel Zanaflex Clarinex Purchase Koflet Buy Sustiva Nicotinell Purchase Mobic Buy Snoroff Buy Penisole Order Viagra ActoPlus Met Cheap Relafen Oxytrol Purchase Zerit Cheap Vasodilan Order Leukeran Lasuna Order Adalat Purchase Deltasone Buy Cipro Order Plan Buy Quibron-T Order Synthroid

We are very pleased to announce a new section on the 2009 Orient Express!

This is a completely new route running from Budapest to Bucharest.

It departs Budapest on June 28th, 2009 and arrives in Bucharest on July 7th, 2009. This fascinating section will follow a different route than in previous years when we avoided the toughest sections of the Carpathian mountains in Romania. Now we will cut through its heart and the region of Transylvania – the land of the Vlad the Impaler, a vicious 15th century ruler who spawned the myths and realities of the Dracula legend. What better way to experience this folk lore than to cycle with Vlad! Not only is Transylvania rich in history and intrigue, its landscapes rival the Alps and Pyrenees for sheer challenge and awe-inspiring views. The highlight is a challenging ascent up into the Tranfagaras range and through the territory ruled by Vlad Dracul. Over a distance of approximately 60 km the riders will climb to an altitude of 2034m, negotiating more than 50 switchbacks on the north side of the pass. After reaching the top, we will take time out to explore the little known ruins of Poienari Castle – one of Vlad’s fortresses. From there, we zoom downhill through tunnels and past man made lakes high in the mountains.

We are very pleased to announce a new section on the 2009 Orient Express! This is a completely new route running from Budapest to Bucharest. It departs Budapest on June 28th, 2009 and arrives in Bucharest on July 7th, 2009. This fascinating section will follow a different route than in previous years when we avoided the toughest sections of the Carpathian mountains in Romania. Now we will cut through its heart and the region of Transylvania – the land of the Vlad the Impaler, a vicious 15th century ruler who spawned the myths and realities of the Dracula legend. What better way to experience this folk lore than to cycle with Vlad! Not only is Transylvania rich in history and intrigue, its landscapes rival the Alps and Pyrenees for sheer challenge and awe-inspiring views. The highlight is a challenging ascent up into the Tranfagaras range and through the territory ruled by Vlad Dracul. Over a distance of approximately 60 km the riders will climb to an altitude of 2034m, negotiating more than 50 switchbacks on the north side of the pass. After reaching the top, we will take time out to explore the little known ruins of Poienari Castle – one of Vlad’s fortresses. From there, we zoom downhill through tunnels and past man made lakes high in the mountains.

There are just 2 spots left on the 2008 Orient Express Bike Expedition!  We have room for one male rider and one female rider on the section from Budapest to Istanbul.. Contact us today and ride from Hungary to Turkey this summer, passing through the spectacular Romanian and Bulgarian countryside!

Are you looking for something exciting to do this summer? You are in luck! Two spaces on the sold-out 2008 Orient Express Bike Expedition have unexpectedly become available. The tour leaves Paris in just over 5 weeks so if you are interested please register immediately. These spaces won't last. Do something that you will remember for a lifetime - cycle from Paris to Istanbul.

In the early hours of February 20th, 2008, one of the oldest bike shops in North America burned to the ground. The six alarm fire brought 40 fire trucks and over 90 firemen to the scene.

Duke’s Cycle and Radio Ltd. has been at 625 Queen Street West in Toronto since 1914. The store was started by the current owner’s grandfather. His son, the current owner’s father, was even born in the building.  

Many past and present employees and customers stood around in awe this morning as the store was reduced to ruble.

As a former employee at Duke’s and current neighbour at Tour d’Afrique's Toronto office, it is truly a shame for me to see it go.