STORIES / RIDES

From Trade Show to Lakeside: The Road to Pilsensee

After EUROBIKE, a quick stop in Erlangen led to Munich, a train ride with fully loaded bikes, and the start of a lakeside camping getaway.

JULY 22, 2022

After several intense days at EUROBIKE in Frankfurt, we headed to Erlangen for a different kind of stop. At Zweiradleben Bicycles—the bike shop run by our dealer and friends—the exhibition bikes returned to the street, this time loaded with panniers, sleeping bags, and camping gear. We spent the night, repacked what we needed, and shifted from trade-show mode into vacation mode.

The following morning, the AOI Explorers became our luggage carriers, local transportation, and travel companions all at once. We secured tents and soft bags to the rear racks and kept smaller essentials within easy reach. Our camping setup included a MIUDY T/C Tarp, a MIUDY T/C Square Shelter, and CORDURA tactical chairs—versatile pieces that could be packed onto the bikes and quickly turned a simple campsite into a comfortable place to rest. A fully loaded bicycle quickly reveals whether its design really works. The weight needs to feel balanced, the bike must remain easy to guide through a station, and everything should stay accessible without adding clutter. This was exactly the kind of trip the Explorers were made for.

The journey begins long before the landscape turns beautiful.

We continued by train toward Munich. Between platforms and train cars, the bikes drew curious looks but remained wonderfully uncomplicated: roll them aboard, find a spot, and let the railway cover the longest stretch. A stop in central Munich took us through Marienplatz, where the bicycles stood beneath the ornate facade of the Neues Rathaus before we returned to the train.

The final connection left the city behind. Buildings gave way to quieter stations, open fields, and narrow paths. From there, we rode the last few miles to Campingplatz Pilsensee, carrying everything we needed on our bikes. Beneath the trees, the MIUDY T/C Tarp gave us a breathable, shaded gathering space, while the T/C Square Shelter could be positioned for extra protection from sun, wind, or light rain. The compact CORDURA chairs gave tired legs a durable and comfortable place to recover. Setting up camp felt like the true end of the EUROBIKE week: no booth lights, no schedule—just canvas, bicycles, and the promise of the nearby lake.

This short transition—from a busy international show to a campground in Upper Bavaria—captured something essential about traveling by bike and train. The journey does not begin only when the scenery turns beautiful. It starts while packing with friends, continues across the station platform, and settles into a slower rhythm with every mile ridden after the final train.

Places & stay mentioned

- Zweiradleben Bicycles — the bike shop run by our AOI.CYCLE dealer and friends in Erlangen
- Marienplatz, Munich — Munich's central Old Town square
- Neues Rathaus, Munich — the Neo-Gothic New Town Hall seen in the photos
- Campingplatz Pilsensee — lakeside campsite in Seefeld, Upper Bavaria
- Pilsensee — lake in Bavaria's Starnberger Fünf-Seen-Land

Camping gear mentioned

- MIUDY T/C Tarp — a breathable T/C shelter used to create shade and a comfortable shared space at camp
- MIUDY T/C Square Shelter — a versatile T/C panel used for additional shade and protection from wind or light rain
- MIUDY CORDURA Chair — a compact outdoor chair made with durable, abrasion-resistant CORDURA fabric