Cycling through Central europe

Probably 60 miles my mileage counter stopped working. But following a cycle route plus signs think about that. I am now on Lake Geneva as known in Britain. The route between the lakes was a bit hilly, but met a couple of other people cycling. The first a very sporty German girl with all the gear, cycling to Barcelona. After cycling together for a bit, I encouraged her just to go ahead as she was much faster than me.  I lost the route about 10 miles from Lucern and used my mio device to find it, but my device likes the hilliest route possible -not the regular one. Got me there though!  I am camping at Morges, a little bit further forward on the lake, Shame it is raining because at one point a got a glimpse of the Alps through the mist. Still,plenty of swans.which I hope are better behaved than the little birds who tried to steal my Croissant this morning.   Last night camping tomorrow should reach Anna and Ant.

Wed. 60 miles To just before Solothurn on the river Aare I took the train to near the point I had reached the day before. (I had gone backwards to stay in a youth hostel) In fact it was more bother than it was worth, because the steps up to the train are very steep, so it was difficult to get panniers and bike on. For getting off, I unashamedly asked a young man to help me down.    So after a while I left the cycle route I was on which follows the Rhine. After a bit of effort found my way to the marked route down the Aare deeper into Switzerland. Not always following the river, sometimes being taken high up to one side or the other, later in the day the valley floor widened and I was cycling through feilds of newly cut grass A lot of tractors and trailers in action.    This is also a commercial area and I passed a lot of industrial units. A train line and main road took the same route.     No sign of anywhere to camp. So eventually I turned ...

To Neuhausen Actually been further but returned to youth hostel with another cyclist. Main point today was seeing the rhine falls which I had never even heard about. Quite impressive also quite a little tourist trap.   I have also after 20 miles enters Switzerland, first town Stein am Rheim beautiful. Also, of course filled with coach parties plus lots of school kids.   So plan is to head to Geneva (might seek the odd short distance on train), stay with Anna Ant. and family and then fly back home from there.

To Bodensee on Lake Constance  Not a lot of milage, but up and over a hill range to leave the trickle of a Danube Behind. Great being up in the hills. I was down, because there was a big downhill at Rsdolfzell am Bodensee by lunch time, so had a picnic by the lake. Then went out of town to find a nice campsite by the lake where I had a semi relaxing afternoon. I did have to hit a supermarket for supplies before entering Switzerland. Sun is out, I think it is great but everybody else seems to thi k it is cold.

Riedlingen to Tuttlingen It rained during the night,but a peaceful spot and a great nights sleep. I began by cycling up and along the hill rather than by the off road river cycle path. A great idea as on Sunday hardly any traffic and I passed an old hill fort at Hundrrsingen. By afternoon and a few more miles the Danube as I cycle up river is visably diminishing in size. I cross cross on small bridges frequently as I work my way up through a limestone goirge    A days cycling with no big towns , hills views and wild life .The squirrels here are a darker shade than our red ones at home. Birds of prey in the sky and occasionally a deer. Also in one small village the children’s play park seemed to be hosting 3 circus ponies a llama and a camel.   Tuttlingen is where I leave the Danube now a mere stream. It is however, a bigger town and the free camping area next to the skateboard park did not feel very secure. But Ralph and Silke riding their bikes ‘rescued ‘ me and I sen...

Günzburg to Riedlingen So I did not really enjoy that hostel last night, but at least I had a shower. In the morning I discovered there were 2 other cyclists holed up on a room, but they had avoided using the communal showers, Now as a female I had been given my own key to my own special shower unit,so had used it.   On the morning cycled on to Ulm. Some nice stretches through woods pungent with wild garlic, Also roads and bigger towns as I approached what is a city. All the bridges across the Danube and much of the city is new, as it was heavily bombed in the Second World War. The result is a lot of parkland and a lot of cycle paths, a nice place I even got camping gaz.   I did not fancy the industrial route out so took a local commuter train for about 15 miles. Then cycled on to Riedlingem. The Danube is getting smaller and the hills bigger. A number of touring cyclists coming the other way, and nice to stop and have a chat. I met an English guy with a Spanish girlfriend...