We left at the end of May again and it felt totally normal and natural to pack up the bikes in their big plastic bags, transport them to the airport and begin again.
We flew to France, arrived in Paris and immediately took the train to Nantes on the Loire River about 60 km from the Atlantic Coast were we spent 4 nights exploring and getting over jetlag.
The Google image below shows you our route from Nantes, across France, to the boarders of Switzerland and Germany following Eurovelo 6. EV6 runs from the Atlantic to the Black Sea and we have now covered a good proportion of the route because it includes the Danube to the border of Croatia which we rode last year. From EV6 we rode part of the Rhine River Radwag (cycle route) along the southern shore of Lake Konstanz and then rode the Bodinsee route through Germany and Austria to Salzburg before taking a train to Munich to catch our flight home.
The cycling for the first 3 to 4 weeks was pretty laid back, following rivers and canals and was not too strenuous, unless, that is, there was no inn to be found when we were ready to dismount.
On average we rode around 65 - 75 km a day, meandering along and arriving in time to explore our destination. We are more and more aware of the importance of the journey rather than just covering kms. Some days would be a shorter distance but full of events, and this is what makes the journey so much fun.
For example, one rainy day we met Sue and Gary, from Malaney, Qld. They were lost and wet just outside Basel and asked us if we knew the way to Bad Sackingen. They rode with us for a few hours and it was no surprise, at the end of a very enjoyable day, to learn we have very similar views on life, ie Buddhism, vegetarianism, and cycling.
But, enough words, lets cut to the chase and look at some photos.
The city of Anger, one of the many beautiful towns along the Loire River Route
A bicycle barge, that was found hiding beneath some trees. We had ridden all morning to arrive at this canal with no apparent means of crossing - but hey, we were in France, not Australia, of course there was a way across, you just pull the chain!!
Candes-St-Martin at the confluence of the Loire and La Vienne Rivers
An afternoon siesta at Meung-sur-Loire
A typical day along the Soane River
Dole on the Canal du Rhone - a gorgeous town but we arrived too early in the day to stay so we had to ride on!
Dole
Along the beautiful Doubs River on the road to Besancon
From The Doubs we rode into Basel and then followed the Rhine to Lake Konstanz. We rode along the souther shore of the lake to Lindau from where we started the final part of the trip - the Bodinsee Radwag (cycle route).
The Rhine at Basel (yes my head is slightly askew, but I do not normally lean to the Right!!)
Down town Basel - the most expensive coffee of the trip - Switzerland is extremely expensive!
The Radwag (cycle path) along the Rhine looking at Switzerland from Germany
Coffee in Bad Sackengen with Sue and Garry from Maleny - the sun had come out by then, we had all been very wet earlier in the day
Riding doesn't get much better than this - Von Laufenburg on the Rhine late afternoon, Germany on the left, Switzerland on the right
The famous Rheinfelden (Rhine Falls)
Just out of Rhienfelden, Switzerland riding beside the Rhine to Lake Konstanz
Lindau, Germany at the eastern end of Lake Konstanz where the Bodensee Radwag begins.
The Bodensee Cycling Route is amazing. It runs along the foothills at the base of the Alps in Bavaria through spotless little villages and towns, beside lakes, through rich green farmlands and dark fairytale forests.
It was a fantastic way to finish our trip, a bit more strenuous than the rivers but by then we had the fitness and enjoyed the extra challenge. While I pushed up quite a few hills Keith was impressive, making some steep climbs. I recall him riding up a 21 degree hill, on gravel, fully loaded, then coming back and pushing my bike up - I must have done something good in a previous life for him to have done that!!
The long and winding road - first days ride from Lindau into the hills heading to the base of the alps
The wide open road - just how I imagined the foothills of the Alps, where is Julie Andrews?
A speck - lost in the grandeur of nature
Fussen - looking for lunch!
Shelter from the elements - our hotel in Kochel-am-See (am-See is by the lake)
Overlooking Neubeuern, one of the most beautiful small towns of the trip.
Concert night in Neubeuern - good work for the band before a Dunkel (a local dark wheat beer) P.S. I grew to appreciate Lederhosen, and no longer see it as a German cliche!
Konigssee - the end of the Bodensee Bike route - Church of St Bartholomew at the end of the lake
Konigssee
The last days ride was from Konigssee to Salzburg, just 40 odd kms. Salzburg is a beautiful city, small and extremely friendly for pedestrians and bicyclists. It snuggles at the base of the mountains and was the birthplace of Mozart. If you have a trip to Europe planned you should try to include it!
The fort overlooking the city
Overlooking the city from a beer garden just below the Fort
A short ride from the centre of the city
City views from the fortress
The Alps on the horizon
If you have made it to here I hope you enjoyed the photos. We are back in the swing of being at home, have visited little Ella Bella and already have ideas for next year percolating. Initial ideas are St Mortiz to Pasau on the Inn River - and then???? who knows.......... any takers, any suggestions??
