Think of it as a Eurail Pass without the $500 price tag, the long, sweaty queues at train stations, and the arse blisters you’ll get from sitting down so much!

EuroVelo is a project organized by the European Cyclists Federation. It is (or will be) a system of 12 long-distant routes that crisscross Europe, signposted the whole way, along either dedicated cycling paths or light-traffic roads. Transportation (e.g. buses to haul you over Alpine passes) and cycle-friendly (places for storage, giant breakfasts…) accommodation complete the picture.

The idea is to promote cycling as a practical alternative to motorized travel, but also to make it easier and more enjoyable to commute using a bike (all these routes go through major cities) – a noble pursuit in my humble opinion.

Here is the main map.There’s a bunch more information on the website of course (link at right).