Munschausen to Speyer. Floods, fish and 50 miles.

Mileage:- 50 miles.

Total mileage:- 457 miles

Hotel:- Alt Speyer

The sign in the water is our route. 

We found a lot of these today. 

A strange day, initially we were unaware as to the extent of the flooding. All boats have been stopped on the river. Many paths and roads closed, and flood defended going up everywhere.  Wherever we went it was quiet, some people out just watching the river. Workmen and official looking people in groups looking at the river. The speed of the water is frightening. We saw huge fish in fields and channels. 

Strasbourg to Munschausen. Sunshine and floods.

Mileage:- 50 miles

Total mileage:- 407 miles

Gite Munchhausen

At last we set off in sunshine, through the city on quiet streets, but the paths were full  of runners, cyclists and all.

We passed the European  Parliament  building, and rode through the forest near Robertsau. The route was on Tarmac and meandered until it got closer to the Rhine near Drusenheim. Here we had lunch, frites and merguez. We also saw how high the river was, the ferry had stopped as the river was too fast.

Soon after this we saw a 'Barre' sign. We followed others along until at one point whilst we were stopped, a French cyclist who had passed us a while before, came back and stopped, telling us the route was impassable. This was the start of a series of diversions which added a few miles to the days total. As we got closer to Seltz there were more signs warning of floods.

Some cyclists had come through and told us how deep and for how far the flood went. We decided to take a chance and carried on. See photos.

We then found the campsite was closed. On to Munchhausen, the campsite was very wet and muddy. We found a gite, checked in, and got cleaned up, tried to dry our shoes.

Neuf-Brisach to Strasbourg, keeping to the straight and narrow.

Mileage:- 47 miles

Total mileage:- 357 miles

Hotel:- Hotel De L'Ill

For such a small place Neuf-Brisach had a lot going on. We heard about and met some of the 36 tandemistes ( 18 tandems), there was a Fete in the square and we had breakfast with what appeared to be a large portion of Paris' Firemen, in smart uniforms. 

We left this hub of activity in rain. Intended visiting the museum of the Maginot line, but it was shut.

We were soon back on our canal cycle path. This would take us to Strasbourg. It hardly went through any villages, was an excellent surface and was dead straight for almost 25 miles. Hopefully the photos will show this. We could see the Vosges to the west and the Black Forest hills to the east. 

We passed a group of Germans, who later caught us up at our lunch stop. Apparently they get together for trips regularly, and get the t-shirts. 

We followed the route into Strasbourg centre, found our hotel, changed and explored. Petite France, the cathedral, the waterways and a 3 floored covered bridge. ( it was stone not wood). Had a meal and went back to see the cathedral lit up. The sandstone gave a real warm glow. 

Huningue to Neuf-Brisach, the flatlands of Alsace

Mileage:- 41 miles

Total mileage:- 310 miles

Hotel:- Aux Deux Roses - Neuf-Brisach

Today's route took us a little way west of the Rhine and we followed canal towpaths for a while, then old railway lines for much of the rest of the day. It has been the wettest yet.

So it was a heads down and keep going day. 

We looked at the campsite here, tipis  and Finnish cabins, all complet. Guess that is the French Tandemistes meeting here over the weekend. As ground was very soggy we opted for the hotel. Which is just as well as John P has to dry and sort out his footwear. 

Waldshut to Huningue (France)

Mileage :- 47 miles

Total mileage:- 269 miles

Hotel :- Tivoli 

We were in the centre of Waldshut, and we woke up to silence. It took us a while to work out it was a holiday. Everything was shut. So we set off eager to reach Bad Sackingen and the "longest covered bridge over the Rhine".

We made good time and had a hot chocolate before we found the bridge and crossed over from Germany to Switzerland.

The bridge had a white line across the middle, the border! It was impressive, but to Ann's delight we crossed a further 2 covered bridges during the day. 

We were now travelling on the south, Swiss side and stopped in Rheinfelden for lunch. Many of the small towns and villages have grand gates as you enter them. All very picturesque.

We dodged the rain and managed some sunshine. After lunch we sheltered briefly from rain and met an English couple from Oldham. They had toured in Europe for years, using trains and doing impressive tours. They had got lightweight touring down to a fine art as they had only a fraction of what we carry. Off we went heading for Basel and then to Huningue in France. The route and signs through Basel were great. Very clear, which made for a fast route through, to the cathedral and out towards France. We quickly found our hotel and settled in, with a beer and shower, in that order. 

Germany for breakfast, Switzerland for lunch and France for tea. 

Gailingen to Waldshut

Mileage :- 47 miles

Total mileage:- 222 miles

Hotel Schwanen,  Waldshut

We spent the day in full waterproofs. The temperature was back down to single figures. 

We set off in heavy rain, quickly through Schaffenhausen and on to the Rheinfall. These falls were amazing, not that high, but an incredible volume of water going over. The view points on the Swiss side were just above the roaring water, as we were still wearing waterproofs the spray was not a problem.

The route after the Rheinfall was surprisingly varied, and not all downhill. In fact we climbed over 2800ft. We were on quiet lanes some very good cycle paths, some packed paths, all clearly signed and even diversions for cyclists. The rain stopped for a while and the views and route proved very interesting and varied. We seemed to cross and recross the border a number of times through the day. We were aiming to stop on the German side as it is much cheaper than the Swiss side. 

We arrived in Waldshut around 5, found a hotel, had beer outside followed by a meal and bed. 

Fischback to Gailingen

Mileage:- 33 miles ( + 4 on ferry)

Hotel :- Hirschen Gasthof

An airship went past our window before breakfast.

Apparently they are trying to revitalise the old Zeppelin works with new technology airships. 

We had a short ride up to Meersburg to catch the ferry to Konstanz. This took us through an area of vineyards and very pleasant villages. We joined the queue for the ferry in glorious sunshine. The ferry trip took about 25 mins. We could still see snow capped mountains in the distance. Konstanz was established around 550 ad. To arrive by ferry is a great way to see much of the old town.

We walked through the main streets which were mainly pedestrianised. Then off again. Out of Germany, back into Switzerland and back into Germany. 

We had yet another stop and wander through Stein am Rhein. One of the best preserved medieval small towns.

Plenty of tourists, walkers and cyclists. Eventually carried on, through some forest areas, which was pleasantly cool after the high temperatures of today. 22 degrees, which after the low temperatures we have had is quite a shock to the system. 

We have just completed the hardest part of the day. An enormous meal in the hotel. A very good meal, but it will take most of tomorrow to work it off.