This was the start of the Aachen-Africa cycle trip - from Andermatt in Switzerland, just before the Gottard Pass. The trip was continued in 2001, cycling from Andermatt to Pisa, and in 2002, cycling from Pisa to Naples.

The first part of the trip partly followed Paul Benjaminse's cycle route from Amsterdam to Rome or Barcelona. It made its way south from Aachen, through Belgium and Germany, near the border, and then along the Mosel, where it borders with Luxembourg.  I left the route just after entering France along the Mosel, and cut across to the Rhine Valley, and followed the Rhine from just south of Strasbourg to Basel. In Switzerland I followed a cycle route (number 3) which is part of the Veloland Schweiz network.