This was our last full day riding together, and what a day! We had sun, we had rain, we had great riding, we (I) lost some important equipment and we got to our destination in spite of obstacles.
Rain was predicted but it wasn't raining in the morning and that always makes you happy. Riding on the quiet bike path - we hardly saw any other cyclists (except yesterday when I wanted to take my merino shirt off from under my jersey) - I had that wonderful early morning feeling, everything so fresh and new.
It might sound like I planned a route to lovely picturesque towns along the way, but actually I was just as surprised as Susan when we approached another city gate and a town of well-cared for half-timbered houses. I had never heard of Gengenbach before but it was on our route to our destination of the day.
We knew it was going to rain so what difference did it make if we stopped or didn't stop for a few more pictures when the opportunity offered itself, a castle on a hill surrounded by vineyards for example. And then the rain came. We soon had our complete available rain gear on and then sought protection under a tree. Across the street a kind soul waved from her window that we should take shelter under the roof of her patio which we thankfully did. We waited out the worst of the downpour and pedaled a few more soggy kilometers to Offenburg, a larger town, where we found a cafe for a warm beverage and a bite to eat.
We then had a wonderful stretch between fields of corn and apple and cherry orchards, the apples ready for harvest, the cherries long since harvested. We had views to the hills of the Black Forest to the east and to the Vosges Mountains on the other side of the Rhine to the west.
The sun dried all the remaining dampness clinging to us.
We passed a wagon with exotic gourds and pumpkins and stopped again for a few pictures. We were now on the home stretch and the clouds opened up again. Back into rain mode. I first wanted to put my smartphone in its waterproof case and then noticed that its battery was empty and the power bank seemed to be empty as well. Susan gave me her power bank to try, but the phone wasn't charging. Then I hastily stuffed the smartphone, case and power bank into my cargo bag and pulled out the rain jacket. Susan would lead the way - not so easy since she had her smartphone in the waterproof pocket of her jacket, couldn't see the route and had no voice directions on the track that she had imported from me. So much technology is not a good thing I hear some of you saying. I turn a deaf ear. Susan did a fantastic job getting us to our hotel without a wrong turn! She pedaled like crazy and when we arrived the sun was out again.
The day ended on a sour note for me when I noticed that my power bank was not in my bag, and it wasn't in Susan's bag either. I must have lost it in the scramble when it started to rain. This threw up the question of how I was to navigate to Karlsruhe tomorrow to catch my train back to Munich. Rain was also in the forecast which threw up the question of whether we wanted to cycle back to our respective trains or get connecting trains from Bühl, about three kilometers from where we were staying.
Today's ride: 58 km (36 miles) Total: 253 km (157 miles)
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Emily SharpWhat a beautiful day - with the exception of the loss of the powerbank. I love all the harvest produce - such beautiful fruit and gourds! Reply to this comment 1 year ago
Charmaine RuppoltI was on a bike tour in Germany recently, and was sightseeing in Bremen, and someone stole the powerbank and cord out of my front pouch. :( Fortunately, I was able to get a replacement at T-Mobile nearby, but it wasn't as good as the one that was stolen. :( But, better than nothing! Reply to this comment 10 months ago
