Day 56: Luxembourg and Bastogne - Athens to London in 1983 - CycleBlaze

July 4, 1983

Day 56: Luxembourg and Bastogne

Day 56: Monday, 4 July 1983

Start: Campground, Malmedy, Belgium

End: Campground, Lescheret, Belgium

Slept poorly in Malmedy. Out early.

More beautiful riding through the Battle of the Bulge. Hilly, but the roads have gentle grades. I seem to get more downhills than ups. Well, I always thought it should be possible to select a route from any point A to any point B and back again that's completely downhill in both directions. No? 

Spent a few minutes at the somber Malmedy memorial. Stopped in St Vith to get Belgian cash, snacks, food supplies, new H2O bottle. Mailed some postcards. Saw some tire patches and -- based on number of recent flats -- bought a pack. Apparently the Belgians are very fond of French fries, and around here "sauce americaine" means ketchup.

Crossed the border into Luxembourg. Had lunch in a cool pine forest along the road near the border. South and then west toward Bastogne. Crossed back into Belgium. Total time in Luxembourg, including lunch: Less than two hours. I think I moved across the country faster than Guderian's panzers did in 1940, and they didn't stop for lunch. Weather getting warmer and warmer.

At Bastogne I spent two hours at the memorial pavilion and museum. Shaped like a five-pointed star, fifty feet tall. Impressive and definitely worth a visit. [2010 Note: Omitting lengthy notes about military history of WWII.] 

Afterwards rode toward Neufchateau in sunny, clear weather with a good tailwind. Found small campground. No motorcycles around today, so it should be much quieter. Picnic in the tent tonight, reading books I bought in Bastogne, even though Bob always groans when I load him up with more printed matter.

Conditions 

Distance: 92 km 

Weather: Warm, some tailwinds 

Road: Good 

Traffic: Light 

Terrain: Hilly 

Mechanical: No problems 

Physical: Feeling strong

Today's ride: 92 km (57 miles)
Total: 3,996 km (2,482 miles)

Rate this entry's writing Heart 3
Comment on this entry Comment 1
Mark BinghamPerhaps you could consider making an addendum with all of the notes you omitted (e.g. "lengthy notes about military history of WWII" above). I'm sure there are others besides me who would be interested.
Reply to this comment
2 years ago