Prague to Budapest Ride

Most Inspirational Moment

Budapest blew my mind. I could never have imagined such a historic city and its culture. Everywhere I turned I was in awe. I want to go back.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guides were outstanding. All trip support was outstanding. The leader, Juan, kept everything moving, resolved any problems quickly and provided lots of relevant information along the way. He was always upbeat, ready to listen and provide whatever was needed. What an excellent representative for Exodus. Andy, who rode the back line, provided excellent support, encouragement, and humor. He was very good in keeping me encouraged. Juan and Andy - thank for all the support and encouragement you provided.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Really look at your fitness level. I did not pay enough attention to the trip notes, specifically the hills, and did not have the required fitness for the trip. I "made it" with only a few short trips on the bus but I would have enjoyed the journey so much more if I did not struggle as I did. So, before you do this trip, practice your hills and make sure you can stay in the saddle for consecutive days. And make sure you have the right gear.

Suggestions

I was travelling alone and while I have done so before, it always brings some level of worry. I never felt alone on this trip. It was a great group and there was comraderie and support from other riders throughout. I could not have had a better group and will miss that.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not sure there was one

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good - he lead the rides well, he communicated well. His local knowledge was excellent and was very informative. He helped the group gel. He worked very well with the second leader who was also excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

The cycling is not that great - the best is in the Czech Republic but a large amount of it is on the banks of the Danube - so dead flat, dead straight and, frankly, dead boring. Also a lot of the ride is not on road - but on very well maintained gravel paths, a very small amount might be classified as trail. The places that the trip visits are pretty spectacular and our group gelled very well. So the trip, as a whole, is a trade off if you like doing more challenging cycling than this trip offers.

Suggestions

The bikes were poorly maintained - my head set was loose, the brake calipers were poorly adjusted and two of the group were plagued with chains that kept coming off, part of which was caused by extreme wear and tear on the chain rings. Also the choice of bikes - with swept back handle bars, so you were in a sit up and beg position - is really strange given the distance that one was doing on some days.

Most Inspirational Moment

Our last meal as a group. Good companions

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent combination of cycling know how and narrative about the history of what we were seeing which included his experience of living under communism. I think he should make sure group is engaged before giving a briefing. Saying “ Gather around the map. I want you all to know where we are going.” once or twice would make all the difference. As well, if possible face people on the bus when relating some interesting history or giving some crucial information. Otherwise some miss key parts of what is being said.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Kick back and enjoy.

Most Inspirational Moment

Riding along the old Iron curtain.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter and Dana were great. I required my brakes to be switched to accommodate my hands and even though I had some bike problems and switched three different bikes, Peter gladly switched for me.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do some training, will make the trip much more enjoyable.

Suggestions

Thought everything was well organized but personally would have had shorter stops along the day and arrived at the towns earlier to enjoy more of the towns.

Most Inspirational Moment

On day six on our way from Telc to Mikulov (a very hot day) we stop in a small river and Dana and some of us jumped in the water. It was so hot that we didn’t care. It was fun...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dana was excellent. Since she was the only leader in our group she was always making sure that everybody was accounted for.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just enjoy your trip.

Suggestions

Almost all the riders had issues with the bikes, chains coming out. Maybe the Company should consider new bikes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling from the hotel in Vienna directly to the hotel in Bratislava in a day. Not difficult but very statisfying.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you want to see Prague go a few days early, as there is not really anytime to sight see on the trip. There are a lot of hills on the first few days. Even though you will say in 3 and 4 start hotels they tend not to have any soap or shampoo in the rooms.

Most Inspirational Moment

The cohesiveness of the guides and our group on tough days where the weather was poor and the terrain challenging. We all stayed together.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter was exceptional in terms of his support, knowledge of all locations and accessibility for all group members for the slightest thing. He really showed exceptional professionalism and commitment throughout the tour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Feel free to take your own seats and pedals as that’s where you spend most of your time riding! Comfort is critical so use what you are used to. Also check the temperature ranges to ensure you have suitable clothing to accommodate those changes.

Suggestions

I have no hesitation in recommending Exodus and would be happy to receive queries from clients regarding this trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to finish each day of the ride, unscathed (not one bingle for any of our group) and without getting on the bus whilst the others finished the days ride.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dana is a legend! She is a fantastic cyclist and guide. Her depth of knowledge around the history of each of the towns and cities and countries we visited was tremendous, She is well suited to this work.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do it!!! You don't have to be a Le Tour experienced rider, just average and you will be fine. The knowledge that if it does get that little to difficult the bus will meet throughout the day to pick anyone up. It was apparently unusually hot for June, however as northern Australians, our heat tolerance is reasonably high. Some of the others struggled though, being prepared with a hydration backpak would be a very good addition to your outfit.

Suggestions

We really couldn't fault anything that we did. We loved the local restaurants that Dana chose for us, the extra riding tours in the larger cities took us to places we would not have found otherwise in the short time we had in each. There was one thing that we would suggest Exodus changes; that is the hotel in Budapest, not for the rooms or location, but for the breakfast hall. It was like a feeding frenzy with the amount of tourist buses that came and went whilst we were staying, very difficult to get a table and as hard as the staff tried to keep up, it was a bit of a nightmare.

Most Inspirational Moment

The visit to the wine cave. A very fun evening with tasted of many good wines.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dana, Peter and our driver was very good and professional.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take this trip if you have any interest in central/eastern Europe. The countries have undergone a fantastic development after the cold war and the fall of communism.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved the night in the wine cave sampling local wines with the vigneron himself, a jolly old fellow. Vienna was gorgeous, as was Bratislava and the southern part of Czech Republic, including Cesky Kromlov and Telch were superb.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guides Dana and Peter were informed, friendly and professional, but the atmosphere was casual and relaxed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The days are generally light-moderate cycling for someone who cycles reasonable regularly and has moderate aerobic fitness and strength. The longest day approx 70km of rolling hills was a solid workout. Recommend this trip without hesitation.