The Trans-Europa Cycling Tour: A ‘Crazy European Diagonal’

“When, after much research, I ended up finding TDA, I was delighted… I had to, as a European, make this Crazy European Diagonal…I discovered countries that I did not know (Baltic States, Poland, Hungary, etc.), others of which I deepened my knowledge (Italy, Spain). A great playground for cyclists with magnificent landscapes, maximum safety for cyclists, dream cuisine… In addition, I only met super friendly cyclists. The whole group was really fantastic and I also created links with certain people who I know will push us to repeat…other trips are planned! Also, thanks to the Tour Leader and his Team.” – Stéphane from France

Stéphane as he pedalled across Europe last summer

As our 2024 European tours got underway, I started looking ahead to the summer of 2025 and, in particular, at a very special tour on our calendar. The Trans-Europa is by far the longest supported cycling tour offered in Europe. At nearly 6,000 km, it is a bit of a monster. It started out in 2010 as a much ‘shorter’ 3,400 km tour from St. Petersburg to Venice called the Amber Route. I was the Tour Leader for that one and it was fantastic. I remember the forests of the Baltics, the beauty of the Tatras mountains in Poland and Slovakia, having a tasty donut at the top of a gruelling climb in Slovenia, and experiencing Italian cuisine in Italy for the first time. I remember leading an eager group of riders exploring a continent by bike. It all ended with a big celebration in Venice. What a treat! How lucky we all were to have had that experience.

>>VIDEO: Click here to watch the video preview of the route found at the end of this blog.

The TDA team, however, is a restless bunch. With our somewhat warped outlook on things, the tour was somehow not long enough and so we doubled the length and renamed it the Trans-Europa – an epic and truly singular European cycling adventure (The Amber Route is now the name of one section of this much longer trip).

It has been a while since I have been a part of that tour, so I decided to reach out to Stéphane, one of the 2023 participants, and Gergo, our longtime European Tour Leader, to tell me a bit about their impressions of the route.

Stéphane Remembers the Cycling and the Friendships

When I asked Stéphane to describe what his experience cycling the Trans-Europa was like, he created a new term I’d never before heard – the Crazy European Diagonal. Crazy – yes, in the sense that it’s crazy long, crazy ambitious and perhaps just a bit crazy to consider participating in.  Diagonal – yes indeed! Starting in Europe’s Northeast, in the Estonian capital Tallinn, the participants pedal southwest across 11 (!) European countries – ending at the iconic Rock of Gibraltar.

But Stéphane didn’t stop there:

“Straightness, flatness and new beautiful roads in the Three Baltic States, the visit to Poland, a country so important to our European history, the rural side of Slovakia, peaceful, quiet and restful, discovering Budapest, a lively, bustling city full of energy, the high-percentage days in the climbs of Slovenia and Italy, the Italian and French elegance, and also the excellent and delicious cuisine in these two countries. The traces of the past still present in Italy, in particular in Venice and Genoa, the small roads along the Mediterranean coast (with or without flamingoes), the charming little villages of Provence, nestled in the hills, for a refreshing drink under the plane trees, the kindness and generosity of the Spanish people and southern Spain with Olive groves as far as the eye can see.”

He also remembers some of the many special moments had on the tour:

“Silent breakfasts and much noisier aperitifs. Discussions, laughter, exchanges (despite my horrible French accent) and Coke Stop or Coffee with friends. ‘Virtual’ border crossings (no more customs) still allow photos to be taken. The difficult and long climb to Bobbio in the scorching heat, as well as, after, the excellent dinner in the evening. The climb to Nice, with a wonderful view of Monaco in the bottom. A dinner in Barcelona with my [fellow cyclist and] New Zealand Rugby Player, watching the first Match of the World Championship between… New Zealand and France. The healthy vision of the Red Van, synonymous with delicious and varied meals [at the roadside lunch]. Inflating the tires in the morning, looking for the white pump (my favorite).”

Gergo Shares Some Advice

Some of the highlights Gergo recalls were the delicious pierogis, haluski and goulash found in central Europe. He recalls the ride along Lake Balaton in Hungary, then some hillier days in Slovenia, cruising along the Po River and climbing up into the Apennines after Venice.

There is the Côte d’Azur in Provence with the lingering smell of fresh herbs in the air, before you return to the coast along the French Riviera. The double rest day in the Barcelona and El Toro, the final section of the tour that has some hidden gems as well. Gergo says it’s “more than just a ride on the coast. Hidden mountain villages, good days of cycling with decent amount of climbs and rewarding downhills with the view of Sierra Nevada.” 

So it may be a Crazy European Diagonal, but as Gergo says “Do not worry about a thing. There is enough time to get accustomed to the bike touring lifestyle, while every day will bring you something new and unique.”

Video Preview of the Route

Please enjoy this section-by-section overview and consider reaching out with your questions. Spaces are open if you want to join for a week or tackle the tour in its entirety.

A special thanks to videographer Ethan Weil who travelled with the cyclists in 2023 and created this video series for us. 

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