Cycle fanatic Tristan Schmurr, pictured, says he has travelled every square mile of Luxembourg Tristan Schmurr

Cycle fanatic Tristan Schmurr, pictured, says he has travelled every square mile of Luxembourg Tristan Schmurr

IT worker Tristan Schmurr began cycling to work shortly as a way to avoid traffic jams and stay healthy. What at first seemed like a smart means of transport rapidly turned into a passion for exploring Luxembourg’s every corner after work and at weekends.

“I work in Capellen and live in the city. Quite often after work I visited villages around. Then it became bigger and I realised I knew almost every single track between Luxembourg and Capellen and I had to find a bigger route,” he told Delano.

With some seven bikes at home to choose from, Schmurr was able to use cycle tracks and forest paths, often finding himself completely alone, except for the odd wild animal he encounters.

“There are some places I really love going to. Most of them are just a few miles west of Luxembourg city,” he said, adding: “There’s a beautiful picnic spot in Mamer alongside a river. It’s in a steep valley called Drepps”.

He also recommends visiting an old railway tunnel, now a cycle path, near Eischen/Beckerich in the west, which he says is like “air conditioning” on a hot day. As for spectacular views, he says you cannot beat the the hill between Garnich and Kahler for a breathtaking vista of the capital city and Arlon.

Schmurr is also a member of the B:loft cycling association and shares his favourite finds with the groups he leads each Sunday.

Image: Veloviewer interactive activity map screengrab

Veloviewer map

The cyclist tracks his journeys using activity app Strava, though not for competing with other riders, he stresses. He recently discovered veloviewer, an application with which he was able to map all of his activities.

“At the end of summer last year I asked people what areas I should explore because I was far from having covered the entire country.” The response helped him as to clock up 15,000 kilometres in 2017 with pedal power alone.

This year he looks set to beat that record though he may struggle to find a path less travelled. He even jokes he has gotten to know the country better than some Luxembourgers. “Sometimes I’ll be talking people about a very nice place near their village which they didn’t know about. They’ve lived there their whole life!”

You can view Schmurr’s cycling exploits here.