Day 23: Arnhem to Deventer Holland Last Day Biking!!

The bikers are on their last day biking... and I fly to Paris this afternoon with our daughter Krista. Today the guys biked to Deventer and are enjoying a toast with champagne and apple pie to a successful trip at the home of relatives of Greg. Even though it was cold and cloudy while they biked, they are now sitting around the pool. Holland's paths are so well marked with a number system that they were able to ride today without a map. The next few days are going to be relaxing and exciting as they first watch Germany vs Australia in the World Cup. The Dutch are rooting for Australia ( better yet against Germany). Tomorrow should even be wilder since the match is Holland vs. Denmark... the Guinness will be flowing in the street. Over the next couple of days the folding bikes will be packed back in their suitcases for the trip home.

After watching the World Cup matches, the bikers will train their way to Amsterdam and Joe, Jim and Greg will fly to Portland on Thursday. Dave will make his way to Paris to join Krista and me as we celebrate Krista's 30th birthday. I can hardly wait. I suspect this may be the last post. for a few days. Barcelona to Amsterdam... with wine... what a great adventure.

Lacking photos of Deventer --- here is a link for those interested.

City of Deventer Holland pictures from cityscapes photos on webshots

Map:

Deventer
The Netherlands

Lynne --- off to Paris

Day 22: Arcen to Arnhem Holland 58 mile day!!!

The Bikers are nearing the end of their trip. Today they biked 58 miles to a town near Arnhem Holland. They ended up in a business park hotel and their only choice to dinner was at a MacDonalds, since the hotel restaurant was closed. What a come down from " The best meal ever" in France. Dave reported that they had no rain the entire trip -- today it looked like rain, but they made it without a drop. Tomorrow they will bike to Deventer Holland where Greg has relatives and will get to watch the World Cup Soccer game of Holland vs. Denmark.... it should be quite a memorable event. Everyone is doing fine.

Greg working on the route for Holland
We're in Holland now....
The Ferry was full of bikes before it took off
The real bike garage!!!

Lynne

Day 21: Monchen-Gladbach to ArcernThe Netherlands

Thursday, June 10 Photos
Day 20 --- Biking along the Rhine
Church from 1280 --- along the Rhine route
"Not all German paths are the same"... this one looks pretty amazing

Day 21:
Friday, June 11

Our bikers arrived in the Netherlands and seem happy to be on great bike paths. At their hotel there is even a brick building dedicated to bike parking... a far cry from having to put their bikes in the lobby at the hotel in France. It was a little cold and looked like it might rain at the beginning of the day, but ended up better than expected -- there was some wind. They were about to enjoy a beer when Dave and I talked. Dave's fall yesterday resulted in his fellow travelers insisting that he not have a beer(this had to be quite a hardship on Dave), so he was quite pleased to be enjoying a cold one today. He shared that he had been a" little" confused... at first he did not know he was in Germany or even Europe.... after his fall. In a short time he was able to piece together the puzzle and the bike ride continued. It is so great that they are traveling together and not on their own... this solo stuff is not very good.

Trying to find their way into The Netherlands...The Netherlands at last --- Dave and Jim
Greg and Joe
Arrival in the Town of Arcen
The plan is to have two more days of biking.

Lynne

Day 20 -- Baccharach to Monchen-Gladbach

A rainy day for the bikers. They biked to Koblenz and then trained their way around Bonn and Koln... and are spending Thursday night in a small town north of Koln. They will be continuing to head north over the next few days towards The Netherlands. All seems to be going fine, though Dave did happen to mention that he took a spill today when his cleats got stuck and landed on his head ... he was a little confused for a moment, but seemed fine when we talk just now.

Mönchengladbach - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lynne

Day 19: Oppenheim to Bacharach -- 45 miles

Wednesday, June 9
I had a very quick call this morning from Dave saying they had a good ride from Oppenheim to Bacharach and stopped biking a little early on Wednesday because it was a very HOT day. They are riding along the Rhine and I am including this link to photos, since I did not receive any shots of the Merry Band of Bikers.
Bacharach Rhine river Germany Valley Lorelei rock Mainz ...

I will add more details tomorrow if possible.
Lynne

Day 18: Kehl to Oppenheim -- 45 miles

Dave sent the following email --- we were not able to use Skype today because of a bad connection, so this is a short post.

Rode 45 miles today with some time off to take the train around Mannheim. We took the train to Worms and then rode for another hour.

This morning we rode through fields of Spargle (German white asparagus). Spargle is a big deal here. A the restaurants serve it and it is very expensive. About $20 per plate. We even went by a sign for the local Spargle festival.

The famous spargel--- white asparagus

Lynne

Day 17: Neuf Brisach to Kehl, Germany 56 mile day!

The fortress walls of Neuf


Riding along the canals as they bike towards Germany

Riding across the Rhine on a freeway bridge


We continue to be flexible with our route planning. We are in Kehl which is across the Rheine from Strasbourg. We have decided to stay in smaller towns to avoid the time and hassle of riding into a large city we do not know. Tomorrow we may try to get to Karlsuhe. Joe is looking at some of the possibilities.
I talked with Dave just now and they are planning on biking tomorrow and then will most likely take a train to bypass Mannheim--- a town that "goes on for ever". They will then follow the Rhine north. Our bikers made it 30 miles before lunch and were thrilled with a 56 mile day.
They have found some good maps which will be a big help. Earlier on Monday they received some "advice" from a local that sent them on a "short cut" that was dirt paths and well out of their way --- a short-cut that did not work.

And they pedal on...

Lynne