Author: Jurgen Becker (German member of the Puyallup Cyclopaths)
Though having been a cyclist for
over 25 years I had never managed to cycle through Germany, though I had played
with the thought of traveling from my hometown Grevenbroich to a well known
vacation spot here in Germany. This summer it should finally happen. And even
the weather played along from the 8th through the 14th of July. My destination:
Oberstdorf in Bavaria. Known for it picturesque mountains and famous for its
Alpine skiing, mountain and street biking and hiking opportunities.
I wanted to make it in 5 days and
according to Garmin trip planning that would be 540 miles. Everything I needed
for a week (only the essentials) fit into my back pack. Shower gel, tooth paste
team jerseys (Cyclopath too), shoes, shorts, t-shirts, etc.
The first two
days headed from Grevenbroich via Cologne to Koblenz and continued to Bingen.
Mostly along the Rhine. The Koblenz Bingen stretch is considered a UNESCO world
heritage site.
Along the Rhine the castles and fortresses
sit like ducks in a row !
Day three and four went via
Neustadt and Reutlingen to Biberach. I
tried to avoid the large cities and drove through remote villages. On day five the direction went towards the
alps, finally. The prettiest day! On the way from Biberach to Oberstdorf you eventually
see the Alps on the horizon, and I must say you almost get goose bumps at the
sight.
This time unlike (15 times
previously by car) but under my own power with a bike to the beginning of the
Alps was a great experience. But that shouldn’t remain the extent of it. On the
next day I still had good legs and crossed the Riedberg-Pass to Austria. One
heavy stretch covered 2.5 miles at 16% incline.
Since I don’t have compact, but only a 39/28 I had to drive
standing up a lot.
On Sunday, the last day, I
exchanged the bike shoes for hiking boots and went to the summit of the
Nebelhorn at about 7333 feet with a short break at a mountain-restaurant.
In conclusion, a great week all
around though I wouldn’t do it again by myself. Around a hundred miles a day by myself and
then having dinner alone wasn’t so nice.
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