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

Day 16: Mulhouse to Neuf-Brisach (rather than Colmar)

Dave called before they took off Sunday morning and shared a little bit more about their adventures. One of the constant challenges seems to be locating the maps needed for the routes. It is difficult to find the specific detailed maps that are needed as they approach a new area and it is only once they are well into the route that they are actually able to find the proper maps.... so there is a fair amount of wandering getting into and out of towns. The tourist office signs also are problematic. Sometimes signs send them off in the wrong direction. Dave said one afternoon they arrived at a tourist office at 5:55 to look for help finding a hotel --- the sign on the door said they were open until 6 pm...but the office was already closed. On the other hand, one kind tourist office clerk stayed open for them during her lunch hour... 12 pm-2 pm to help them locate the information they needed.
Hotel In Mulhouse --- there was no place to put their bike so they left them in the hotel lobby

Sunday night: Neuf-Brisach, France

The Fortress of Neuf-Brisach, France

Email from Dave:
This is where we are Sunday night. We were planning on going to Colmar, but by the time we figured out where we were this looked like a good option. We found a small hotel where the woman at the desk said they could do our laundry ( much needed-- Washing out bike clothes in the sink only goes so far) so we decided to stay. This was to have been a rest day but we decided to ride about 35 miles in the morning since we spent half a day on the train yesterday. Tomorrow we will ride to Strasbourg. We have another week to go, but it looks like we will have to do some by train since we are only able to ride about 50 miles a day
Sent from my iPhone

Dave called and added a little more to the day's adventures.... Dinner was a small hotel in Neuf-Brisach with great food and amazing rhubarb pie. ( see photos below) The chef was a biker and helped the guys plan their route for Monday as they head towards Strasbourg on the border with Germany.

Dave: We found the only restaurant open in town and it was wonderful. We are almost in Germany so the delicate sauces are left behind for large slabs of ham and sausage on sauerkraut.
The light was a bit difficult for a cell phone camera, but here we are having a great meal.

Greg with one piece of rhubarb pie!!
And also Joe... that was one impressive pie!!

Lynne

Day 15: Dijon to Mulhouse

Our Bikers took a detour today... see emails Dave sent from his IPhone today. We did talk briefly at the end of their day. They did not really start biking until about 1:30 in the afternoon on Saturday and put in 45 miles for the day. The day started and stopped several times as they were searching for the illusive route along the canal.
From Dave:

Dijon for the night Friday. Not all two star hotels are created equal. This one was very worn out and had no air conditioning and was in a remarkably noisy part of town

We started in Dijon and planned to take a train out of town a short way, but we discovered at the station that the train does not run on Saturday. So we went to Belfort and then rode the canal path ( once we found the canal) for 40 km to Mulhouse.

They plan to bike on Sunday to Colmar --- near the German border. It was 85 degrees, with no rain or reported wind, as they biked on Saturday. Unfortunately, rain is predicted for Sunday. In Colmar they hope to find a laundry ... I'm sure a well needed necessary stop.

Lynne

Day 14: Beaune to Dijon

Dave left a quick message today, since he had no Skype access. The day went well with some good size hills between Beaune and Dijon --- there was a 1,400 foot hill to climb. The day got a little hot but they that spent part of it along a canal on the way to Dijon. Tomorrow, Saturday, they plan to take a train out of Dijon --- it is a big enough city, it is hard to find a direct way out by bike and then head on to Langres for Saturday night. Everyone is feeling fine and there was no message about headwinds... good news for all.

Day 13 Chalon sur Saone to Beaune - 34 miles

Thursday, June 3
The bikers are battling with HEADWINDS --- and it is not fun. Dave said at points they even need to pedal to go down hill. It was a pretty day biking about 34 miles along canals and tree shaded paths. They especially had problems with the wind during the last 12 miles while riding through vineyards. Today's route took them through Santenay, Montrachet and a bunch of other famous wine towns.
They are realizing that many of the other bikers on the road are heading South Barcelona. The shorter day allows for wine tasting and planning what options they might have to avoid the strong winds.
The first 16 miles were along this canal... very picturesque

Lynne

Day 12: Macon to Chalon sur Saone - 50 mile day!

The fearless bikers discovered a bike path that leads towards Beaune and spent Tuesday on a mostly flat route, with no cars. It was looking like a rainy day, but once they actually got started there was low clouds, but no rain or wind. It took the guys a little while to discover where the route actually began in Macon and then there were some climbs along the way. Pictures below show the entrance and mile-long tunnel the guys road though on Tuesday. They choose not to climb up to the hilltop town of Taize but did see it from a distance. Wednesday they will follow the bike path on to Beaune and spend the remainder of the day as a “Biker’s Planning Day” and do some wine tasting in Burgundy. They want to look ahead over the next two weeks and figure out how best to bike /train (as needed) on to Amsterdam.

Entrance to mile-long tunnel near Taize
View from inside the tunnel
45-mile bike path with no cars!

Lynne