DAY 44
95KM | 664HM | Ø Temp 23° | Cloudy - Sunny
Σ3546 KM | 19718 HM
In free fall
As a child, I still remember visiting the Rhine Falls during a vacation - an experience that has stayed with me to this day. So, of course, the Rhine Falls had to be on my tour. When I got there, it was almost as if time had stood still: the masses of water were still tumbling down with impressive force, and the viewing point in the middle of the waterfall's stone hill was still a crowd puller.
And me? I stood there again, just like back then, and let myself be hypnotized by this natural wonder. There are simply things that never lose their fascination - and the Rhine Falls are definitely one of them.
DAY 45
85KM | 245HM | Ø Temp 27° | Sunny - clear
Σ3631 KM | 19963 HM
Bonjour la France
The next day dawned and I remembered the previous evening at the campsite, where I had met lots of new people. Among them were the two young Frenchmen Gianni and Justin. The two could hardly have been more different: Gianni, the excited one, was bursting with energy, while Justin, with his calm, relaxed manner, was almost the perfect counterbalance. The two were on a bike tour through the Black Forest and were on their way home. Since that was also the direction I was heading, we decided to continue as a group of three.
We had our conversations in English - and in all the countries I had traveled to so far, it was absolutely no problem to communicate in the world language. Shortly before Basel, our paths separated for the time being and I enjoyed the waterfront promenade with its pretty cafés and the wonderful view of the old town on my own.
After my detour in Basel, I cycled on to the eighth country of my trip: Viva la France! And as fate would have it, the three of us met up again and continued the tour to the next campsite in Mühlhausen. There we visited a small festival with experimental music. At first I imagined that the hipster scene of the entire area would turn up here. But far from it! Instead, the festival was like a family celebration - from young to old, everyone was represented and open to new, unusual sounds. Admittedly, it was the craziest music I have ever heard - but at the same time it was a perfect end to the day. A little crazy, a little magical - and just the right thing.
DAY 46
77KM | 499HM | Ø Temp 31° | Sunny - clear
Σ3707 KM | 20462 HM
Route des vins
After yesterday, I drove on towards the Vosges, the mountain range on the border with Alsace. The route meanders along the eastern slope through almost endlessly rolling vineyards. Just when you think you've discovered the ultimate dream setting, the route surprises you again - over the next hill, and the next fairytale picture opens up before your eyes. One view more beautiful than the next, each one more photogenic than the last - and your finger can hardly rest on the shutter button.
In the midst of this backdrop, picturesque historic villages nestle into the hills, like something out of a picture book. Winding alleys lead past flower-bedecked half-timbered houses that are just waiting to be discovered. And of course, there are plenty of culinary temptations in these charming places: small shops and cozy wine bars that make every gourmet's heart beat faster. A paradise that all wine romantics will love.
DAY 47
72 KM | 732 HM | Ø Temp 31° | Sunny - clear
Σ3780 KM | 21194 HM
A bit of Alsace
My cycling route took me further through the stunningly beautiful vineyards of Alsace. The sun was burning mercilessly again today and before I was grilled myself a tarte flambée, my goal was to eat it during a break.
As for my diet over the past 47 days, well, let's just say it was a wild mix. Bakery goods, cakes, a bit of vegetables for a vitamin boost, countless gummy bears, juices and ready meals cooked on my camping stove. Healthy? Not really. So the tarte flambée fit perfectly into my "healthy plan". So I used Google and TripAdvisor to find the nearest restaurant and headed straight there. And it was a hit. The tarte flambée with traditional Munster cheese and the perfect view of the wine hills were an absolute delight.
DAY 48
80 KM | 578 HM | Ø Temp 21° | Sunny - clear
Σ 3860 KM | 21772 HM
Canal de la Marne au Rhin
The cycle route continued along an artificial canal that connects the Marne and Rhine rivers. Originally, this waterway was entirely dedicated to the transport of goods - coal, building materials and agricultural products were shipped across the water here. Today? Today, leisure boats and tourist cruises chug past while I pedal along the cycle path next to it and take in the nostalgic charm of the canal.
The Canal de la Marne au Rhin overcomes impressive differences in altitude along its route, which of course means a lot of locks. While the leisure boats have to wait patiently, I can simply cycle past with a smile - a small advantage for us pedal riders!
The canal meanders picturesquely through a narrow valley in the Vosges, past dense forests, small villages, historic bridges and charming lock houses that bring the history of the canal to life. Here, technical engineering meets cultural highlights and scenic beauty - and all with a wink for the many tourists and adventurers who embark on this journey.
DAY 49
120 KM | 308HM | Ø Temp 20° | Sunny-clear
Σ3980 KM | 22080 HM
The Rusty Giant
We continued along a man-made waterway: the Saar Canal. Not to be confused with the Saar River - the canal is the shy twin that runs parallel to the Saar. Originally, like its colleague the Canal de la Marne au Rhin, it was used to transport goods. The parallel game ends in Saargemünd and the canal flows into the Saar River. From then on I was on German soil again.
I followed the river through Saarbrücken and soon came across an impressive monument to human engineering: the Völklinger Hütte, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For steampunk fans, this is a real feast for the eyes! This monumental steelworks looks like a huge, rusty giant made of steel and iron - fallen straight out of a time machine. The massive blast furnaces tower into the sky, threatening and fascinating at the same time, and are connected by a complex labyrinth of pipes, steel structures and gigantic winding towers. It feels as if Jules Verne himself had a hand in building this.
Today, the area is an impressive open-air museum and invites you to experience the enormous dimensions and industrial splendor of times gone by - an impressive piece of history that simply has to be seen.
DAY 50
80 KM | 231 HM | Ø Temp 26° | Sunny - clear
Σ4060 KM | 22311 HM
The Saar in top form
Before the Saar flows into the Moselle, it showed me its most beautiful side once again. This impressive route begins in Merzig, where it leads past the famous Saar loop. It continued past a quarry whose steep rock faces are a little reminiscent of the Grand Canyon - at least in miniature. In Saarburg, the historic old town awaited me with an impressive waterfall right in the center. A real spectacle that, together with the old castle ruins high above, creates an incomparable atmosphere. Passing charming vineyards, the Saar finally flows into Konz.
Romance in Trier
They say that all roads lead to Rome - but mine led to Trier. And anyone who arrives in Trier quickly notices that the Romans left a huge impression here. Its greatest relic? The Porta Nigra, a huge city gate that stands so imposingly that I almost expected it to open like an ancient portal and beam me straight into ancient Rome. Now that would be a journey back in time in style!
Instead, I "only" ended up in the baroque old town - without any beaming, but with plenty of flair. Especially in the evening, when the historic buildings are softly lit, Trier turns into a timeless romance of light, history and alley flair. Who needs a portal to ancient Rome when there is so much atmosphere to fall in love with here?
Discover all pictures and routes via kommot
Discover all pictures and routes via kommot
Discover all pictures and routes via kommot
Discover all pictures and routes via kommot
Discover all pictures and routes via kommot
Discover all pictures and routes via kommot