Xanten to Rheinberg: Hot! Hot! and a Headwind!

July 21, 2013

Thankfully the Youth Hostel is well built and has good sound proofing - many people partied late and the beach across the way was very loud. We really need to sleep after riding these 35 degree plus Celsius days.

We found that we couldn't ride through Xanten without stopping to sightsee - there is so much - Archaelogy Museum, Roman Ruins, a working Windmill Museum, intact fortified walls and forts, charm plus in the centre. We climbed to the top of the Windmill (dated back to the 1600's) - fascinating to see how it worked in its day. Just riding around the town was interesting....and to cap it off, we couldn't resist the Eis Cafe (ice cream) and enjoyed luscious home made ice cream.

The ride today was challenging because of the unrelenting heat. The route was good and easy to follow, but at times, the heat would blow across you like a furnace. We stopped often under the shade of a tree.

No camping in this area, so we opted to stay in a "Bike and Bett" hotel, Rheintor Hotel. They gave us an incredible room with leather furniture lounge area and an interesting bathroom with a large round tub. Cold baths tonight!!

Went for a brief walk (too hot) and had a tasty doner and salad at the local kebab shop.