Thanks again for the info - this site is soooo cool!

You may have guessed that I'm kind of stuck between trying to enjoy a great trip, and other committments. I have to fly quite a bit around Europe, so a couple or three times a year I treat myself by doing it by bike. But that does mean I am more limited by time and destinations etc. I know that does mean racking up the kms, which is not ideal (eg. I've had to do north of Spain to north of France in a day before now - though wouldn't recommend it), but that's the price I happily pay for taking the bike.

Adventure950, JoeC90 and Owld Grey seem to agree that there are two main options north through Germany - west side, a great ride following Rhine etc (then a more boring bit to the north towards Denmark). And east side, which should give me interest along the whole route. That's really useful, as it gives me two options which I can use depending on whether I end up with a meeting in Mannheim or Munchen. I can then keep the other route in mind for next time (as I'm sure there will be!).

Thanks also to RobRoy and Selous for the info crossing England - I'll have a close look at that before heading off.

Fledermaus - grateful for your views about central Ireland. I've done the east and west (and south) coasts - but was concerned that I was missing something. I'd love to see Galway again (first and last time was for the races, so didn't get to see much of the town, well not that I can remember anyway!). That will probably mean from there to Cork in a day - but hey ho!

__________________
Pat
www.patonabike.blogspot.com