nbjtours

Waldshut, Germany

Day One

65 miles.

1398 ft climbed.

We finished our day’s cycling earlier than expected so took advantage of the fine weather and washed our cycling kit when we took our showers. Hanging it up round the camper it had fortunately almost dried when the owner came round on her electric scooter and told us that we could not hang out our washing as it spoils the look of the site. Bonkers, but there we go. Like good Brits we complied. This will be our only night in Germany.

Starting off in France today would see us tick off three countries on our first day. After extracting ourselves from Mulhouse the first 25 miles ran alongside canals and the Rhine to Basel and into Switzerland. We took our passports just case but they were so not required. This was all off road on flat cycle paths. A really good introduction to the cycling on the trip.

Finally emerging from our cycling heaven along the traffic free canal tow paths we entered Switzerland and need not have worried. The cycling infrastructure in the city centre was great and the traffic light, so we were able to cycle around over the river into the old town and back again without issue.

Leaving Basel via cycle paths running through posh suburbs and endless huge chemical and drug company manufacturing plants ( BASF, Novartis, Roche & DSM to name a few) we finally veered away from the Rhine to cut a meander, climbing a whole 125 ft to meet up with Nigel & Monica who had stocked up the camper, so our coffee and pastries were ready. This short stretch of road was the busiest all day and the only one without a cycle lane. We cannot complain though because we think that of the 65 miles covered today less than 10 miles we’re not on dedicated cycle paths.

We were running ahead of time for this short day and did look to see if we could add a few miles but could not see another campsite en route so had to remain as planned.

This meant our last stage today was relaxed as there was no hurry to get to our campsite so we did take a couple of little detours. One through the pretty border town of Langenlauf where we crossed the Rhine over an old cobbled bridge and into Germany.

Now in Germany we followed the Rhine to the campsite. Managing a quick crossing over a long cycle bridge to briefly pop back into Switzerland before continuing onto the campsite.

Stopping to watch a ferry dock whilst fighting against a very fast flowing river we were able to race and beat it by some minutes to its next stop at the campsite.

Unfortunately the site was full so the lads in their tents are in the site and we are on the opposite side of the road in a camper park which is now full too. The weather which has given us our first dry day on a tour since 2019 encouraging everyone out for a long weekend camping. Our other sites are booked but here they would not take bookings.

A hearty spag Bol and ice cream was followed by a lesson on mitochondria and ketones from Monica, just to keep our brains, hearts, lungs & pancreas functioning properly

Tomorrow will see us leave Germany within a mile of this site as we cross the Rhine again to go back into Switzerland. Perhaps a good thing as these strict rules are just a tad annoying. Three countries today and all being well three more tomorrow as we should end in Liechtenstein.