Day 11 – Idar-Oberstein – Worms – Sept. 4

What can you write about another perfect day….the day started downhill for everyone. Last night’s hostel was way up a tough climb to the end so to start today, it was easy – shouldn’t let you readers know the speed that some of the cyclists clock going downhill. Once breakfast was over and the bikes checked over, we were on the road by 8:30. The distance today was the same as yesterday – now quite sure of the terrain but with such a long downhill, it would have to go uphill again some time. The decision was made at one of the stops to change course to give the riders a break after yesterday’s tough ride and ride parallel to the river so we did not have a significant uphill today. This pleased all the riders. Today we rode through lush farmland again plus we entered wine country. Didn’t see any grapes being harvested so they probably aren’t ripe enough yet or because it is Saturday they weren’t working today. Was tempting to have a sample of the grapes but we didn’t.

The support vehicle followed the riders all day long – it was easy to keep track of them today and the riders enjoy seeing the van – it lets them know they are on the right road. As the temperature rises, they shed some layers of clothes and they can get rid of them in the van as well.

Today was the first time that we arrived at our destination in time to relax before supper. Laundry facilities are hard to find so it was hand washing the cycling clothes in hope that they will be dry in the morning. The cyclists say that they all smell the same at the end of the day so what’s the problem…..but the support people don’t agree with this….

Tonight’s supper wasn’t included at the “Dom-Hotel” so we looked for a restaurant with authentic German fare and had schnitzel, sausages, sauerkraut, etc. – it was very good…the poor waitress did not speak any English at all so we wondered if we would get what we ordered. Some of the menus were in English and German so that made it easier for us to know what to order. Met some Americans in the hotel who were here for a wine festival so they do have to cater to English speaking people here. Another thing we notice is the many cigarette vending machines in Germany – they are at every street corner it seems and we notice a lot of people smoking – many more than in the other countries we have been in.

The city of Worms is very old – there’s lots to see here so we are not leaving until 10:00 tomorrow morning – it’s only a 45 kilometer ride to Heidelberg so we will have time to tour around first thing in the morning. We have decided not to sit in on a German church service and will have our own service some time tomorrow. Heidelberg also has lots of history that we will check out.

Distance cycled 120 kilometers Flats 0 Total flats 11