Timing is Everything

To Frielendorf, Germany -- 42.8 miles, 12.1 mph, 1225 ft

We are now back in the hills though much lower and shorter than those of Switzerland. The first incline forced some walking, but after that we primarily followed the R4 signs and were able to stay in the saddles. When we finally climbed into the small town of Ulrichstein, we tracked down the only market in town, though Meg seemed intent on staying on the bikes after the hard fought elevation.

We each picked out something from the bakery display case followed by our usual shopping -- yoghurt, cheese, ham, cookies, muesli. How can you possibly go wrong with crunchy muesli with chocolate chunks?

Unfortunately, despite a good start, the slow climb and lunch stop, meant that at 1:30, we had only covered 11 miles.

The ride got more beautiful as we went along. I am still amazed at some of the smooth paved roads in the middle of incredibly beautiful fields, meadows and farms. I think I've finally figured out that the paths are mostly used by farmers to get from field to field, but they make awesome bike routes as well. With another short stop 25 miles later (Meg found a cold Coke Light while I pounded down down a good portion of our 500g roll of cookies), we made it to Campingplatz Frielendorf at 6:00.

We had just crossed paths with a group of three young Swiss kids (more accurately, they blew past us going up one of the last hills in town). They were only high school kids riding 125 km a day and heading to Nordkapp, Norway. Ahh, youth!

The camp manager was another dear.  Katye chided herself for her poor English, though we pointed out our German was much worse.

Dinner was at an excellent Vietnamese restaurant in town. We monopolized the buffet as the only dinner guests, and learned later that it would soon be closing due to too few patrons. Timing is everything.