Cycling the Eurovelo 13 Iron Curtain Trail – Southern half of the Eurovelo from Romania to Turkey (London to Istanbul, final film of this 3 part series). This film documents our cycle from western Romania straight into Serbia and away from the Danube, south to Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece and then Turkey.

Harriets very detailed Blog with full route distances, accommodation costs, kit, tips etc… https://monteandkomodo.wordpress.com/

Previously on our London to Istanbul ride…..

Film 1/3 – Eurovelo 15 – From London to Switzerland. Full cycle touring film documenting our journey as we cycled the full Rhine River, following the Eurovelo 15 cycle route, including how to cycling the Rhine / cycle tour in general advice!

Film 2/3 – Eurovelo 6 – Cycling the Danube River from its source in Germany to Western Romania via Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and finally Romania.

@monteandkomodo – Follow us on Instagram!

#eurovelo​

FULL DAILY BLOG/ CAMPSITES/ KITLIST/ DISTANCES:
https://monteandkomodo.wordpress.com/​

Music:
www.epidemicsound.com

Our most recommended KIT:

Buy the MSR WhisperLite Universal Backpacking Stove https://amzn.to/3sHuIjM​

Buy our TENT of choice! And we did a lot of research trust me… Cannot fault it for 2 people travelling together – the Msr Elixir 3 V2 Tent green 2020 tube tent https://amzn.to/3ft9mm9​

Buy the Vlogging travel CAMERA here https://amzn.to/3fvcM8e​
(Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II Digital Camera Camera – Vlogging Camera, with Full HD 60p movies and tilt touch screen, ideal for vloggers and YouTube content creators)

Buy perhaps the most useful thing we had! The Delta Unisex Cargo Net with Hooks. Great to keeping everything secure and tidy on the back of your bike https://amzn.to/31wBP2v​

Sea to Summit The Clothes Line https://amzn.to/39tUtfz​

Buy the only choice in Panniers… Ortlieb Unisex’s Back-Roller Plus Bag, Signal Red/Dark Chili, 42 x 23/32 x 17 cm/20 Litre https://amzn.to/3cBSyHW​

Buy the best saddles ever to exist – Brooks Saddles Imperial B17 https://amzn.to/2PNfCKH​

Buy the bullet proof, comfiest cycle touring mattress Therm-a-Rest ProLite Apex Ultralight Self-Inflating Backpacking Pad with WingLock Valve, Large – 25 x 77 Inches https://amzn.to/3sCYwxH​

Route & Guide book
The Rhine Cycle Route: From source to sea through Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands (Cycling and Cycle Touring) (Cicerone Guide) https://amzn.to/39uJdzI​

DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting my channel so I can continue to provide you with free content.

~~~

15 countries, approx. 5500km, 77 days cycling over 96 days, camping, warm showers and cheap hotels in Eastern Europe.
Do watch the Full episodes available on our YouTube channel!

Thanks for watching!

I hope you enjoy our bicycle touring documentary film and it makes you want to do one too! We practised in England with a couple of longer day tours, approx. 50 miles or so in a weekend then just went for it. Thankfully our jobs allowed us a 4 month sabbatical, the perfect amount of time to cycle to the edge of Asia, Istanbul! For preparation and tips on what to take on a tour, check out our YouTube episodes Playlist for the ride – ‘Cycle tour London to Istanbul’. Thanks for watching!!

Music from #epidemicsound​​ Edited on Filmora 10​ software by Wondershare.
All filmed on small point and shoot #canong7xmkii​​ and #drone​​ #djispark

46 Comments

  1. I got a bit choked when the two of you arrived at the hostel in instanbul! Well done you two and thanks for taking us all along with you for the ride. I haven't cycle toured for over 10 years but watching this has lit the fire and inspired me to go with my wife this time.

  2. What an amazing journey! These three videos are the best bike touring films I've seen. Lovely photography, interesting commentary, really makes your adventures come alive

  3. What size chain rings did you both run on your bikes? I'd like to invest in a real bikepacking bike someday soon and would like to know the best drivetrain combination to use. I can tell you're running triples but I would think that a MTB setup like a 44/32/22 just wouldn't provide enough power for my liking. (And yes, I continue to watch and rewatch this series. I really can't get enough of it.)

  4. Just brillant. I watched all 3 back to back and what an ending. I was quite emotional at the end, 1 I also stayed in the 'worldhouse hostel' 6 months ago when I had my quick hair transplant (video to follow as its still growing) and 2 the birth of Falicity. I hope to do the same route (Hope) in the weeks to follow. My editing is not as professional as yours but!

  5. Impossible to watch all 3 amazing videos and not comment. Highly motivating, wonderfully created videos that show the joys and difficulties of long term trips. Thanks so much for taking the considerable time that you would have needed to make the videos and provide so much pleasure for others.

  6. My girlfriend and I have done a bit of cycle touring around the world. She gone now but I'll always have ethe memoirs of our cycle tours from time to time after we've come home, we would look at each other and say do you realize what we've done OMG what a ball its indescribable I'm older now but still want to get out there for a couple of more trips what fun you will treasure it the rest of you days

  7. Really cool to see the autumn colours turning slowly on the trees… that area feels underrated honestly, which i can understand partially: it is not the most developed or well-routed area, but the nature is just gorgeous, and you get to experience so much!

  8. Thank you for sharing your amazing journey – I've been mixing my long distance hiking with bike tours, and your videos have inspired me to look deeper into touring – in the US, we have a much less extensive trail network, so you've definitely opened up new opportunities to consider in Europe. Best wishes on your growing family – I hope you're still able to find time for new adventures. I'm also going to look into traveling with a spare seat clamp going forward!

  9. Loved watching your journey. You've inspired me to start planning a euro cycle tour with my girlfriend. I too was sad to see your journey come to an end. A testament to your great story telling and editing.

  10. Fantastic 3 videos. Enjoyed the balance of commentary between different aspects of your trip. Well done and congrats on getting married and your baby

  11. What an amazing movies, journey, everything. I started to cry when you finish the ride in Instambul, "our last 10 meters of ride". I loved he part trough Serbia, becouse im from Serbia and if I start some of Eurovelo routes its will be your fault. 😀 Good job!!! (im sorry of my bad english, i cant find words to express myself enough).

  12. very enjoyable series, loved it! disappointing that Romania hasn't yet built their part of the eurovelo 6, but to my understanding, a budget of 35 mil has been allocated for that, so hopefully, in a couple of years you'll be able to ride from Drobeta to the Black Sea undisturbed by lorries.

  13. Wonderful series. I'm a bit surprised that the Youtube algorithms haven't shown me your videos sooner. I have been watching bike tour video's for a long time and this series is one of the best I have seen. Great content and well produced. I hope to replicate at least part of your tour myself sometime in the future.

  14. Just finished watching your fantastic adventure over the last three days and loved it. In my youth I cycled a lot including a 1000 mile trip around England's south coast. I have been thinking of giving one of the Eurovelo routes a try recently. I think I cam only manage the flat bits as I am now 70. Not to sure about camping either! Anyway, thank you very much for making the films and congratulations on your new adventure into parenthood. Like cycling, it certainly has its ups and downs but worth it in the end.

  15. Well done!, you did make a great job on the videos, i had the sensation of take a journey with you, congrats for the accomplishment, for you have been always positive. A europa’s beautyfull picture, and of your relationship.

  16. Hi again Mat Harriet well I have just finished watching your three videos and enjoyed them all. How you managed to overcome your bicycle problems was amazing and those you met along the way that helped you were delightful. I expect like me to this day your wondering how the dog that followed got on but I am sure he she found their way back home. As for the ending of your video I would compare it to when I read about what happens to Little Nell in Dickens Old Curiosity Shop but far more pleasant. Belated congratulations on your marriage and the birth of Felicity. Hopefully these days your getting a goodnights sleep. I look forward to viewing your other videos now. Something tells me that it won't be very long before Felicity will be riding a bike. Ted

  17. Amazing, just watched all you’re episodes. Thanks for charging and congrats to both of you. 4,5 years later. 😊

  18. Hi Mat, thanks for your inspiring documentary! I loved to watch it and I decided to cycle the EV13 this summer from Szeged to the Black Sea (around 2100km). The route seems pretty mountainous from Negotin until the Black See. Do you know how much time it took you to cycle those hilly 1350km? Usually I cycle around 70 km a day if it is flat with one or two two days rest a week. I hope to hear from you 🙂 A smile, Marius

  19. I've just binge watched this. Amazing effort. So in awe of it all. I've travelled some of these routes but by car and I really missed out. I'm wondering where is the video of you riding home again? 😁😂

  20. thanks for the journey! We're at the other end of the family cycling journey having ridden the Hebrides with our teenagers at the end of lockdown in 2020. They are now old enough to (want to) stay at home and old enough to leave. We leave for a slice of EV13 for 11 days in September, and secretly wish for sabbatical too!

  21. 50 Euro a day. Still a lot. Lol.. in 89 my gf and i interrailed with a tent for ten quid a day … For food, camping et al. It was… Tough… 😅

  22. Enjoyed your video. I notice it say Melbourne on your cap. Before Covid I was in Australia and the place was on fire. Anyway, I stayed at The Ashram in Mt Eliza run by Swami Shankarananda. Stop in some time. I think you’d like Swamiji. Tell him Vishnudev from the states sent you. Om!

  23. Hello, Mat, I am especially interested in learning how the two of you riding your bikes from one country to the others. Warm greetings from The Special Territory of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Leave A Reply