St Margarethen to Romanshorn, 30kms by bicycle.
Romanshorn to Frauenfeld, 39kms by train.
Frauenfeld to Winterthur, 25kms (Including village tour) by bicycle.
Oh, yum, yum, yum! This will get me through till dinner time.
We were up early, the rain had stopped, but it was still cloudy and cold. Will cooked us up our fabulous bacon and eggs, which was awesome, then we began the pack up, tidy up process. With fifteen trips to the toilet block (1lt of juice and coffees, oh and dishes), we were on the road by 9am.
The amazing Bodensee.
Another route change today, we are heading for Fredy's home in Winterthur (I keep thinking Game of Thrones, Winterfell). It is about 85kms, which we could ride, but to ensure we have some time with Fredy and his family, we caught a train for a section.
On a clear day, you could see Germany.
So we headed to the Bodensee (Lake Constance), and the ride was great. We rolled along the number two trail, through the parklands along side the lake, which is huge. Lots of little villages to wind through, and we were catching up to a solo cycle tourer, a lady, when we came through Rorschach and noticed lots of people standing at the train station. They were all looking down the line, like there was something wrong. Hhmm, we were curious, and slowed down, and behaved like Lemmings also looking down the line to see what was going on. Then suddenly there was a huge Whoosh of black smoke, a very loud toot, and an old steam train came around the bend. It was cool, puffing and whooshing into the station. Glad we stopped.
Perfect timing, just in time to see the steam train.
Rolling on, past the little marinas, and parks, we stopped in Arbon for a bathroom break, and met another couple of cyclists from Germany, who were on a short tour of a week, around the lake. They had full on mountain bikes, and back packs. They had ridden all day in the rain yesterday. Crazy buggers!
Got them tickets, had to pay full ticket price for each bike.
Before we knew it, we were in Romanshorn, and the trail took us straight to the train station. Too easy. There were a million bikes parked up there, and all down the street there were bikes parked up, not cars. Amazing. It was my turn to negotiate for tickets, so in I go, and 64€ later we have tickets for us and two bicycles. Train leaves in 15mins, we wheel the bikes on easy peesy, strap them in and relax.
We got a new GPS, we call him Fredy. He is much better and easier to follow.
Before you know it we are off, in Frauenfeld, and having a coffee, waiting for Fredy, who is coming to meet us and ride us to Winterthhur, his home. Fredy arrived, and he has a recumbent bicycle. Pretty cool. We had another coffee and then head off after him.
Fredy makes it look easy, and he is just cruising so we can keep up.
It was a pretty cruisey ride into the city, (approximately 100,000 people), and to have a local to follow, was great. More time for looking around and checking the scenery. Lots of farming and beautiful rolling green hills. Getting to Fredy's home was easy too. It is right near the swimming pool, and a huge sporting ground/complex. A couple of minutes bike ride into the city, and the train station.
We met Barbara, Fredy's wife, and one of their daughters Anya. We sat in their garden and ate freshly made pie and drank coffee. We immediately felt welcome and part of the family. It is a lovely feeling when you are away from home.
The ladies had prior engagements, and departed, so we unloaded our gear and Fredy took us on a town tour. The best tour of any town so far. Lots of interesting information and a different perspective. Fredy works in the rail company, and talked to us about the huge upgrades they are undertaking to continue to provide for the constantly increasing population. While we are standing underground in the underpass he tells us how they have to expand it to more than double whilst the trains overhead continue to run, and build bicycle ramps etc. Massive job. Then we noticed the underground parking lot........for frickin bicycles! It looks like a warehouse of bikes. So many bikes! On double story bike racks. The Swiss are definitely into cycling.
Our new GPS (Fredy) also gives us interesting information on the sights.
The local church, which was beautiful, and has a massive pipe organ inside. Our photo was not good, but it was great.
They have an Outback bar, even sells Fosters and VB. Nice.
This warehouse/factory has been converted to a parking space, and concert centre.
Underground bicycle parking lot. You can even get your bike cleaned and repaired here while at work. Huh?
After the tour, we stopped at an Irish pub you wouldn't have found without a local, called O'Brian's. We met some of the other locals, and Max, the pub owner. What a character. Very good story teller, and nice bloke. We had a few, then cycled back to Fredy's for BBQ. our hosts went all out, feeding us meat, veggies, bread, Swiss sausages (very yummy), and everything was amazing. Great conversation, discussing their cycling and touring, children and life. Again, we just felt like family.
Fredy and Barbara, so happy to have met you both.
Boys and their BBQ's, the same the world over.
Fredy and Barbara, thank you so much for taking care of us and sharing your home (and washing machine). Wonderful people, living in a magic city. It has lifted our spirits and shown us, yet again how amazing people can be.
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