June 6, 2008
From Stuttgart to Pforzheim: Up, up and away
Stuttgart is surrounded by hills. The slopes might be good for wine, but not for cycling. I believe two days ago I wrote that I'm feeling good pedaling the hills, slowly but surely. So much for that. We start the day by pushing our bikes for about an hour.
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After walking approximately 200 vertical meters (Janos says it was 160, I thought it was 1,000), we spend the rest of the day in the valley of the Würm on a slight downhill gradient which makes for lovely pedaling, and much faster pedaling than we are otherwise capable of.
The maps we are using from the Radweit website (www.radweit.de) and the excellent signage for bicycles again make it possible for us to take advantage of optimal bike routes without being familiar with the area in the least. I also have a compass on my handlebars which is very helpful. This is a new feature for me and I love it. I refer to it constantly.
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After a lovely ride through the green valley of the Würm (not to be confused with the Würm near Munich), with much sun and intermittently dark clouds, we enter Pforzheim as a few drops of rain fall.
Pforzheim was completely destroyed during the war and what was built in haste after the war is a hodge-podge of "modern" architecture, without style or personality. We don't take to Pforzheim. Our cheap room isn't very appealing either, but it will do.
We are still putting off camping. The grey skies, rain and cool nights aren't making a campground look like an inviting place after a day of biking. I am full of admiration for those plucky cyclists who just put up their tents, notwithstanding.
Today's ride: 63 km (39 miles)
Total: 327 km (203 miles)
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