In 125km today I passed at least 100 likely cycle tourists. I say likely because sometimes you can’t tell for sure. When there are at least 3 bags and/or a visible tent it’s a good guess they are touring. When it’s just 2 panniers it’s possible they are hotel touring, or just out for a ride with a lot of stuff.
As an aside, when there are no bags and the rider is in tights and wearing silly glasses, they’re probably just an asshole. I don’t know what it is with the road bike crowd, but they sure seem wildly unfriendly. No nods, waves or smiles. They don’t seem interested in anything except what their Garmin is saying about their cadence.
Anyway, besides the sheer volume of riders, the interesting thing to me is how many folks here are on e-bikes and how many of them are solidly 15 to 20 years older than me. I believe these two things are very much related.
There are seemingly legions of retirees taking up bike touring likely because e-bikes make it possible. I have heard lots of talk about how e-bikes make cycling more accessible, but I’d never considered this angle. And it’s pretty cool. Also pretty dependent on other factors like access to power along the way, but that’s not a huge issue in places conducive to this mode of travel. Like where I am right now.
Of these 100 or so cycle tourists, I am in the top 5 for most heavily laden. This could be due to my trip being longer or my trip including camping. Or maybe I am bad at packing and perhaps have a few too many *comforts* like a pillow, coffee maker, solar panels and a chair. Volume concerns me more than weight. (Mind you, I reserve the right to complain about weight and hills when the times comes, as it surely will.) Another bike brigade volunteer, Kathy, astutely commented that unlike most cycle tourists, the touring load is a little smaller than my regular day to day riding ;). I love carrying shit on a bike. No idea why.
Today’s ride was excellent. Dry, even a little sun, and almost all dedicated bike path along the river. In the 500km I’ve racked up so far, I have surely spent almost 90% of my cycling on such infrastructure.
And on either side of the river, lots of gingerbread like structures, steeples and castles.
One thing I saw a few times but didn’t take a photo of were these interesting little communities. Imagine a community garden with largish plots, say 20 x 30 feet or so. And each has a small, and I mean tiny, house on it. Not tiny houses like these trendy modern things, more like ramshackle little dwellings. Unless someone says otherwise I am certain they are inhabited by hobbits. Don’t ruin the dream.
Lunch was a doner in the square of Koblenz. The damn thing was nearly a foot long and I could barely finish it. That says something.
About 30km later I came across this little piece of genius.
Sure the cone was small. So small I finished it before the group of Germans I was explaining my trip to could do the math on Amsterdam to Budapest in a month.
In one of those spells of sunshine I passed a sandy beach. I couldn’t resist a dip. I considered asking google if it was safe to swim in the Rhine, but decided what I don’t know likely won’t kill me.
Now I’m camped in another field. No picnic tables, benches, fire pits or demarcations between any of the spots for hikers, bikers and car campers. It’s the most expensive campground I’ve stayed in, yet is still half of what a camping spot costs in Ontario. I am completely ok with supporting the conservation of public forests, but $50 for a spot at home feels criminal, especially for a bicycle and a tent. This campground also serves curry wurst, aka the new fish and chips.
Midday tomorrow I leave the Rhine and starting riding the Main. I hope it’s as good.
Great photos Chaddo. Sounds like you are enjoying the trip. Keep up the fun reports.
Your mother is reading this, watch your language. Great ride today it seems! An ice cream cone vending machine…yum!
She’s probably used to it, 50 some odd years in
You always did have a potty mouth!
You brought solar panels? Based on other journals I’ve read, “hahahahaha!”.
But based on what I know you carry, sure!
How’s the terrain so far?
Really? I love the solar panels and find them very helpful. It’ll charge a phone in half a day in bright conditions and weights a pound and a half. That’s worth it IMHO
Terrain is quite flat so far. Trails are mostly paved or interlocking stone. Some gravel.
And you mean my hair dryer right?
Sorry – my comment was related to weather cooperating, not the panels themselves.
I hope you get enough sun for them, but not so much as to be a problem for you.
Ah gotcha. In clouds it keeps the phone about even
oh dear lord a fucking soft serve vending machine. brilliant !
I asked Alexa about the Rhine. She says you’re fine and it’s safe to swim in it. She knows everything. Chantelle