To Freiburg, Germany
Today we cycled to Freiburg Germany. However, before we left France, we had a chance to visit Neuf-Brisach. It is a wonderfully preserved 17th-century fortified town with star-shaped ramparts. They had a gravel path circumnavigating the town outside the walls in the dry moat. All around were beautiful sculptures.
This is view of the moat from one of the bridges entering the town. Below, one of my fellow riders poses underneath the monkey statue. In the flower box is a wooden White Stork which are somewhat common birds in this area.
As an example, this White Stork was outside my hotel bedroom this morning.
Our ride started with a very pleasant 10 km gradual downhill followed by flat roads through a valley.
We arrived in the town of Colmar at about 17 km. This is the water tower which was completed in 1886. It remained in use until 1984.
Following Colmar, we stopped in Neuf-Brisach, then rodethrough some last bits of farmland before reaching the Rhine River and crossing to Germany.
While crossing the Rhine River, this river barge was entering the lock on the other side of the bridge as it made its way up river.
Reaching the other side, we entered Germany. Germany is now the 6th country I have cycled in. Besides the US, I cycled in Canada in 2017 when I rode from Glacier National Park in Montana to Jasper Alberta. Also in 2017, I cycled in Mallorca which is part of Spain. In 2018, I cycled in France as we celebrated my friend Doug’s 60th birthday. In 2019, I cycled for a week in Chile. The route for this trip will add Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Türkiye bringing up my total to 12 if all goes well.
I do love how frequently there are dedicated and protected bike lanes here in Europe. This lane was in Germany shortly after we crossed the boarder.
Tomorrow is a rest day here in Freiburg. I am currently considering taking my bike, hopping on a train to Basel Switzerland, then bicycling the ~45 miles back here. I have planned a route, much of which is a nice gravel path along the Rhine River. We will see what my actual motivation is like tomorrow. If I do ride, it will add bonus country to my list, Switzerland.