August 23, 2018
To Hitzacker
When you look at brochures advertising cycle tours you see happy young looking people pedalling along in gentle sunshine, on a flat well paved track with beautiful scenery around them. That is what cycle touring is meant to be but seldom is. Today however was one of those magic days. Of course forget about the youth but the rest was true most of the time.
In an effort to beat the heat we left at around 7am. Immediately we were on a perfectly paved track with only the most minor of undulations. All along the way there were neat farmyards many of the houses with thatche roofs. We saw lots of horses, flocks of geese and even two tractors which Ken approved of. Along we flew it was effortless, particularly for me with an ebike even though I was only using the lowest level of assist. I do love this bike it suits me perfectly.
We had travelled 30km when we got Bleckede and still hadn't had breakfast. Naturally a Backerie appeared and we sat outside it guarding our bikes and drinking coffee and eating delicious pastries. After this we went through a area of Gingerbread houses. Being in Germany the gardens were immaculate. Our next town was neu Darchau where we were to cross to the other side of the Elbe by ferry. Down we went to the ferry just to find that ferries are not running because in the present weather the water level is too low. We thought of our friends on the river cruise supposedly sailing to Amsterdam but because of low water levels making their way by bus instead.
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A man at the ferry said just follow the Elbestrasse, don't attempt to follow the cycle route it is too diffcult. We of course knew better and when the cycle route went off from the road we followed it. There was extensive farming with lots of crops of potatoes and maize, it was a bit hilly but perfectly manageable. Then it turned off into the forest and the moment of truth. I guess the forest is beautiful and it was certainly cool, but we really didn't notice it. The road was probably one of the worst we have been on steep with VERY loose gravel and sand. It was almost impossible to stay upright on our heavily loaded bikes - mountain bikes would probably have been OK. Then the inevitable, Ken was going down a steep hill and his front wheel went from under him. Over he went and I thought our cycle tour would be over in two days. He must be tough, all he had to join his nasty cold was some gravel rash. We walked for the rest of that part.
Joining the Tarmac again after a couple of hills we were in Hitzacker. This is a charming town, we found a Backerie for lunch and sat in the shade chatting to a nice German couple. Our hotel is fantastic its only problem being it is up a 10% hill.
Today's ride: 70 km (43 miles)
Total: 126 km (78 miles)
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Take care and enjoy those new bikes. Keith
5 years ago
Tricia
5 years ago