Stand-up paddling and cycling are similar in some respects and complement each other like yin and yang. So it's not surprising that more and more athletes enjoy doing both. On a board, just like on a bike, you can enjoy the harmonious movement as well as the comparatively fast progress and the opportunity to linger in nature away from the beaten track. Paddling works completely different muscle groups than cycling, which can also be a welcome counterbalance. When cycling, the upper body and arms are sometimes somewhat neglected, but a strong torso also cycles better, especially with a load on your back. While you paddle at a leisurely pace and enjoy the peace and quiet on the lake, you are unconsciously doing something good for your body and preparing it for the next tour on wheels.
Together with the cycling professionals from MyBike, we have selected five travel and weekend destinations where you can effortlessly switch between paddle and pedal. The spectrum ranges from cycling in the flat Alte Land and paddling on the tranquil Dove Elbe in Hamburg to the varied and surprising Ruhr region, then two destinations with typical Bavarian flair and more challenging routes on Lake Millstätter See in Carinthia. But even there, there is an attractive alternative for leisure paddlers and cyclists. For each destination, a cycle tour with a detailed route description and GPX data is linked in the info box, as well as a complete tour guide for the recommended paddling route.
Five tours for SUP and bike
The extreme version of the combination of SUP and bike is the "Pedal2Paddle" race across the Alps. A SUP author was there and reports on the crossing of the Alps in this report
