Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1354987108
197 km, 8h26, elevation 1857m. Trip rating 85%
The night in Vlotho was relaxing and quiet, I slept well: Hozever; I woke up a bit earlier because I saw that today's distance would almost be 200 km. It was kinda shocking to see it was a lot further than planned, but nothing I could not overcome.
The pedaling started a little after 07.00 AM
Streets were still quiet and tranquil
The rising sun was blocking my vision for some 90 minutes, good thing that passed
Beautiful Wednesday morning
This place was called Hellberg, mountain of hell. Couldn't have meant anything good, luckily it was alright
There was a longer climb here that took me all the way to 300 meters. I was thinking that after two days of rather flat cycling, I now entered the hills of Germany.
Even that turned out to be OK, it was just an isolated stinger. This picture is taken at the top. A long descend followed
Cruising downhill on the Hellberg
Still feeling fresh after the first real climb of the day. As you can see I was wearing my jacket and sleeves on my legs because it was chilly early int he morning.
Rural Germany
Once again, the weather would not be a cause for concern
I was already lost in thoughts again:::
Nice view over central Europe
Day 3, about 500 km away from home, close to the halfway point
Amazing views, this ride was in no way inferior to my May ride
That is what I call clear blue, not a single cloud to spot
The only concern I had is that it had been almost three days since I pumped up my bike tire. I could feel it was less hard then in the beginning, which facilitates pinch flats. Got to find a bike shop fast!
Once every that many miles you will have to cross a city center
This was the city of Hamelin and I did find a bike shop! They let me pump up my tires when I told them my story. They had many questions, I gave them the details they wanted and thanked them for helping out. With both tires back at 90 PSI I had enough air for the next 2-3 days. What a relief!
Little break for eating one of my apples
The summer is such a delight and I am really making the best out of it
Een appeltje voor de dorst
On the the next village
You gotta take the time to realize how precious this moment is, this freedom, being young and healthy, without any real concerns. This is the beauty of simple life
Good thing I stopped for this picture here, it made me notice the pieces of glass that were everywhere. I lifted my bike and walked past them. No flat tire as a result of that
Das Alles ist Deutschland!
Again, progress was very good in relation to my time left. I could take it easy
This was a 10 km segment right to a big road. The cyclist path was isolated from the traffic all the way there
The sun was bright again, another fantastic summer day
Contemplating my surroundings
This was nice to see; for me Dresden was the more relevant place on the map. I would be pass there two days later. 420 km before we get there.
There was a little shop where I got some refreshments
Hannover was indicated on the cycling signs
So many reasons to take pictures today
Direction of Hannover
Another area with road works where I could just pass
Hildesheim, the next major city I was heading for
This area was closed for cars but for cyclists it was OK. It used to be a military zone
Approaching the city center
Another long 10 km segment
I programmed this ride entirely by myself, making sure I did not repeat any sections from the May ride. The result was a very rewarding exploration of central Germany
Cute little bridge
This shot reminds me an awful lot of a visit to Nantou in Taiwan in 2014. The bridge and the creek look almost identical. And yet, it is a completely different time and space.
Traditional German architecture. I saw many buildings like this during my passage through the villages
What a golden afternoon!!! I felt like I was embracing these astonishing landscapes
These sunflowers made me halt for a video clip. 75% of the ride was already completed
Living this summer day to the fullest
Wide open views
Welcome to Upen
Cute house
Thank you for this beautiful day
Riding this bike fills me with joy, I missed it the last four months. Glad I was able to have it rebuilt last week.
I took a moment of rest here, at some fruit and relaxed a little. Time was on my hands
This memorial shrine remembered those who fell in the second world war. History often leaves out the fact that Germany itself was the biggest victim of war.
Many place names with the suffix -rode in this area.
Urgh, more construction works...
Little cat come out to play
Miauw
Wernigerode was only 21 km away. That meant less than one hour of cycling. Alright!!!
The last twenty km still had plenty to offer. This was a very beautiful area
Considering the perfect weather conditions, the amount of cyclists I met was very low
15 km before my hotel I saw this sign: It reads: This is where Germany and Europe were separated until 1989. I was standing on the division line between east and west Germany. This was very cool.
I made a video clip about this. This part says: For unity, justice and freedom of the German Mother Land.
There was a tourist town called Ilsenburg. It was a nice spot
I stopped one last time for some water
Wernigerode indicated on the signs
Wernigerode, I was here.
Day 3 out of 6 was completed, 620 km away from home. Still had some 500 km to go
Many cobbles and old houses in this town center. The hotel was nice, I had a good meal and hit the sack on time
Tomorrow's destination is Leipzig in East Germany
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