Fredy Took Us To Germany

17/05/15 Winterthur, Switzerland, to Waldshut, Germany 52kms

After such a nice evening, and late night, we should have slept in. But we didn't. It didn't get us away early, mind, we continued where we left off, with more delicious food, and talk about everything from, bikes, to next plans and so on. Eventually, we couldn't delay anymore, and began the preparation for heading off.

Will loved his play on the recumbent. 

Fredy was going to ride with us to a nice little camp ground on the Rhine, in Germany. On our route to Basel. But first, Will was dying to have a try of the recumbent bikes. They are tricky. It took him a few goes, and cornering seemed the hardest bit for him. He really loved it. Me? I was very nervous, and I felt like a little kid learning to ride all over again. I do believe training wheels were necessary. Fredy had to run behind me and hold the bike up...ha ha ha, poor guy, must be hard trying to do that and not laugh too much. I struggled, and would maybe need some padding and a week of practice.

Not only is he a great GPS, he is a good set of trainer wheels.

Finally off and running, with Fredy GPS leading the way. Getting out of Winterthur was simple (when you've done it a million times), and took about 7kms. Wow, it is a pretty spread out place. It was a great ride, and with not having to look at the GPS, or signs, we were able to take in more of the beautiful scenery. It was a great day for riding.

Cruising down the highway, looking for adventure...

Fredy and route 2, took us to a point where the Rhine is joined by another river, Töss, and it was beautiful. Crystal clear waters, forest and a nice dirt track to ride. It is also part of the Eurovelo 6 route, so another number for us. We continued through more amazing farmland, lots of people out walking and riding, and heaps of cute villages.

Super signage, they are so good in Switzerland.

Where the two rivers meet. Swim anyone? Still too cold for me.

Fredy's doesn't get a sore bum, and cruises along comfortably.

There were a few good hills, but Fredy was patient, and waited for us to catch up on the downhills. We stopped for a sandwich after about 30kms, in a nice Old village area. Some great old houses, and a fountain, and steep hill. We didn't go down it, I didn't want to have to come back up it.

One of several awesome rail bridges we saw today.

Our lunch break. Down the hill looks interesting....from here.

After lunch, we were pretty much rolling downhill, with short little hills into the backstreets of the villages. It felt like no time at all, and suddenly we were at another border. Germany! So cool! We had only done 52kms, but when we got to the campground Fredy had suggested, we were happy to call it a day. It was on the river, green lush grass, and a nice restaurant. So we had a couple of beers with Fredy before he had to go catch the train home. We will miss him.

Stopped in traffic, Fredy just sits back and relaxes. Cool as a cucumber!

Woo hoo, country number 8, Germany. 

We set up our camp, we were the first tent. There were many very fancy, expensive caravans, and fancy cars. They had everything except a table, even had deck chairs we could use so long as we put them back before we go. Awesome. A couple more cyclists came to camp, a solo guy, Peter, who was on the second day of his tour, trying out a trailer for the first time, and an older couple (we didn't get a chance to chat to them) we are sure we saw in St Margarethen.

Dinner in the restaurant, where Peter joined us. He is from Austria, and likes to Adventure Motorbike usually. Crazy guy, but he'd been to the East coast of Australia for a while, and had excellent English, so we had a good time.

It was a great day, if not a bit too easy. The weather is looking good for the next few days, so we will try make the most of it.