Day 55: Sunday, 3 July 1983

Start: Hostel, Beegden, Netherlands

End: Campground, Malmedy, Belgium

Out of the hostel at Beegden pretty early and rode well all morning. Lunch south of Maastricht. Tuna, cheese, bread, Pepsi, cookies, and fruit cocktail. Hey, you grab whatever is available along the way.

Hit the Belgian border shortly thereafter. The Customs guys were stopping cars but waved me right through. Sunday, so currency exchange closed. Quickly ran into hilly countryside but by then a light tailwind sprang up. Considerably warmer today. Naturally, since I need to climb some hills. Other than swarms of noisy motorcycles -- must be some kind of club ride -- not much traffic.

Beyond Verviers this really became the Ardennes I expected. Ridges, streams, dense pine forests, winding roads. Absolutely impenetrable to armored formations. Don't worry about defending this sector of the front.

Construction work detoured me for an extra 5-8 kilometers, but no problem. Feeling strong all day. Hit Malmedy by 5:00 and -- because it's Sunday -- decided to stop. Found a campground. Took a short nap. Cold shower. Cold dinner. Cold beer.

Turns out to be a crappy campground. Ground too rough and sloping. Noisy and bright practically all night. More of the motorcycle club, I think.

Conditions 

Distance: 115 km 

Weather: Warmer, tailwind 

Road: Good 

Traffic: Light except for motorcycles 

Terrain: Flat, then hilly 

Mechanical: No flats, no problems 

Physical: Feeling very strong