After Cycling Jylland in Denmark in August/September 2007, we got the idea about to crossing Germany, Netherland, Belgium and Luxembourg with bicycle.
We started to plane the route already in January the year after and Tone organized everything the following months. First to find maps and routes, looking for mostly cycle-paths and non-traffic roads and also with historic and scenic experience. Like "The Oxway" and "The Geest Cycle-route" in Germany.
The distances was from 50-100km and we used 22 days on bicycle, total 1622km. We had 3 days of rest in between this days on bicycle and we also used our own hybride bicycles on the tour.
We bought tickets to the ferry from Norway to Denmark and train-tickets for the trains from Denmark to Luxembourg at the internet.
Also reservations and booking for almost all the accommodations. We bought the cycle-routes and road-maps by the internet too.
We got plenty of help from tourist-offices and cycle associations in all the countries on this route.
After 4 years we are now going to take the next step, crossing France from Remich/Schengen to Cerbére/Spanish border this summer. The route are no finished and you can read about the tour at "Cycling France 2012".