Category — France

today’s distance: 94 km
total distance: 178 km
riding time: +/- 5 h

Cycling Without Borders took an unexpected turn today … more on that later. Heading out of Freiburg, the same wind started to pound in my face … not much of a happy camper. Neither are the people in this town. It seemed like a poster war was going on as soon as I entered. The whole thing is about whether to build a road around town to decrease congestion and noise for the people living along main street. They are - needless to say - in favor of the new road, but it just so happens that the people where the road is to be built aren’t. So here goes the poster fight.

Soon afterwards I talked to a local bike store owner and to get away from the high volume of traffic he suggested to try the French side, so off I went to cross another border - not in the plan.

I pedaled along the Rhine for the most part, the road being sheltered by the trees on the right hand side and with considerably less traffic. Much better riding apart from the rain, the wind and the nuclear power plant that I passed. Power was supplied by the chocolate Easter eggs given to me by Maria that morning. They provided much needed energy. Late lunch was equally good with baguette, tomatoes, hummus and a couple of cheeses.

Back to Germany to take care of some administrative matters and then I was in Switzerland with the first stamp in my passport. Basel is a wonderful and picturesque city with friendly people around. An elderly lady I talked to thought I should come back after the trip and seek her out on her daily stroll along the Rhine river to give her the summary of the trip. We shall see whether that will happen.

However, the people of Basel will still have to explain to me how they ever fit 11,000 virgins into this little alley, but that’s something for another day.

Ina and Michi were kind enough to let me stay at their place. I’ve known the two of them for quite a while now and the evening was spent watching soccer and eating wonderful food in addition to the usual good conversations. Thanks to both (riveted by the German victory over Switzerland):