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Cycling Tour from Riga (Latvia) To Tallinn (Estonia)



In 2008 my holiday was a cycling tour from Riga (Latvia) to Tallinn (Estonia) split in six days of cycling. This cycling tour was booked via Eigen Wijze Reizen (in Dutch Only). During this cycling tour I will keep a diary and update this page when I am back or during my holiday if I find an internet cafe. Also I will publish a lot of pictures made with me new digital camera (Nikon S550) which I especially bought for this holiday as it is small, light (128 gr = 4.5 ounce). A selection of the pictures I made during my cycling tour from Riga to Tallinn can be found at the Flickr Website. Please come back mid of July as this page will contain much more information.

Day 1 - Arrival in Riga from Brussels (Baltic Air)

The start of the holiday was not that good, as the check in had to be done manually at Brussels Airport. Probably they had a computer error. In the afternoon I visited the old city center of Riga in Latvia enjoyed the local beers in the sun and had a nice dinner (although the meat seemed to be very dry).


Day 2 - Riga to Igates (41km = 25.5 miles) => first by trian to Sigulda (1h15m)
After a very nice breakfast in Hotel ElizaBetes Nams I left on my bicycle to Central Station in Riga to go by train to Sigulda (this to avoid the busy roads around Riga). After a train ride of 1h15 I first visited the ruins of an old castle in Sigulda. Afterwards back to the center of Sigulda to buy some drinks and foods for the first day of cycling. Around 14h00 I arrived at Guesthouse Jokas where I was welcomed by a Latvian family who lived in the UK for a long time, so talking English was no problem. First I refreshed myself and a nice cold beer was brought to my room. In the afternoon we enjoyed the sunny garden and had a nice talk (the even have a large pond and sauna). Dinner was nice and was served with home made apple wine which tasted very well. After a good night sleep breakfast at 7h10 and left around 8h10 for the next day of cycling. train riga sigulda


Day 3 - Igates to Salagriva (62km = 38.5 miles)

A new day filled with cycling. The start was bad, only unpaved roads with sand mixed with small stones, but I enjoyed the exercise, great views, nature and the quietness. Halfway I had a short rain shower and luckely I found some shelter under some trees. The road on the last part of today's trip was even worse. Sun was shining, very sandy roads so my bike tyres even disappeared almost half in the sand. But the reward at the end was great. After arrival in the hotel I took a nice shower and walked to the the harbour and enjoyed a nice beer with great views towards the Baltic Sea. After dinner I went to around nine o'clock and woke up around 7. For the first time in a long time I felt really great, relaxed and time to enjoy this holiday to the max.

Day 4 - Salagriva to Vandra (?? km = ?? miles)

After I left the hotel the road went for the first part through the wood and along some military area. Just before the border I had a short shower. For the rest of the trip the sky was clouded with some sunny areas in between. Following the old road along the coast today was special with nice sea views. After a while I crossed the Estonia border without any problem. I saw the sign and a barrier but that was it. In the first small village I checked for an ATM to get some local money. Found only one ATM which was out of order.

Due to the unlcear road signs I had some problems finding todays B&B as I cycled approx. 2 km to far I found I somebody who talked English. He did not know the B&B but called some local people for me to find out where the B&B was. After a few calls he found out and explained the directions to me ... really friendly people in Estonia !!!

The B&B was okay with dinner in the owner's house. After dinner a short walk to the beach where I was able to make some nice pictures of a cloudy sky and sunset.
 
 


Day 5 - Vandra to Kaisma (74 km = 46 miles)

Originally this trip would go to Kaisma but due to a change in hotel this was changed to Vandra (extra 20 km or approx. 13 miles). The roads today were paved most of the times and for a few kilometers even with a separate area for cyclist. But as this road was 'busy' I had to cycle most of the times on the soft shoulder of the road. As the route changed there was no description for the last part of the trip, so the map and compass was all I had. As there are not much road this is not that difficult, but on the other hand if you miss one exit you have to cycle some kilometers extra. After crossing the river Parnu by using a unique bridge (see Flickr photo's) I cycled on towards Vandra.

After arrival at the hostel I found out my luggage was not there (yet). They owner was not aware of the fact that he had to pick up my luggage at Salargiva. Anyway, plenty of time for me to cycle around in Vandra and do some shopping for the next day. Dinner was great, lots of lovely food, chicken, French frites, vegetables, sauces, bread. All this followed by a nice chocolate desert with coffee. After a good night sleep it was time for breakfast with herring, cheese, bread and again lots of other extras. Food was really unexpected very well in this hostel.

Day 6 - Kaisma to Rapla (54 or 61 km = 33.5 or 38 miles)

After a good night sleep it was time for breakfast with herring, cheese, bread and again lots of other extras. Food was really unexpected very well in this hostel.

First task was to get back to the original route, so some extra kilometers of cycling. This was my lucky holiday, again lovely weather to cycle with a temperature of 20 degrees celsius (68F). As I thought to take a short cut this decision was not very smart. For miles, sandy routes with as extra large rocks, not stones, but really rocks. In Rapla dinner was served in local pub 'Meie Pubi', great food and a nice atmosphere.

Day 7 - Rapla to Tallinn (44 or 62 km = 27.3 or 38.5 miles)

The roads were much better today as I got near Tallinn. It was recommended to take the train from Saku to Tallinn as the road can be very busy. As I missed the early train by just 10 minutes I had two options: wait for the next train to Tallinn (almost 2 hours) or just cycle the last 10 km towards Tallinn. Well I cycled to Tallinn, as the road had a wide enough shoulder and it was not that busy.

As an extra I did in the evening a guided bicycle tour of two hours (approx. 16 km) around the city of Tallinn. Most part of the ride is along the harbour and the coast line of Tallinn. The bicycle tour included: bikes, helmets, safety vests, soft drink, guide and raincoats (if needed). The sights you will see are Kadriorg Palace and Park, presidential residence, Song Festival Ground, II WW Memorial, Olympic Centre, Sandy beach, seaside promenade and much more. This "Welcome to Tallinn by bike" was organised by Citybike.

Day 8 - Tallinn to Amsterdam via Copenhagen

The way back home was a bit long, from Tallinn to Copenhagen and than to Amsterdam (Estonian Air/SAS Scandinavian Airlines). And to get back to Antwerp (Belgium) I took the train from Schiphol Amsterdam. copenhagen airport