Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1774061804
205km, 9h50, 2594hm
205km, 9h50, 2594hm
Day 4, 200 km to go to West Germany's Koln/Cologne. According to my calculations, first a hilly section; than a flat ride: It became a bit more hilly than flat with 2600hm.
Early morning departure from the hostel. I did not like their way of parking bicycles
Again, leaving the city required some patience. This is the church of Marburg
Very ancient city center with cobbles and old houses
Three full days of cycling made me just a tad weary, but I could still overcome this
I'm guessing again the Werra river
No idea what these locks represent
I saw a cute little swan give birth to five of these small cuteness. Yes I recorded it, no I didnt go too close
Proud dad also in the scene
10 km from Marburg; the roads remained mostly flat. Temperature was chilly in the early morning
In the mood for it!
After 25km I had already understood I would be climbing a lot today. Many hills came in the last few km
The selection of tiny field roads was very welcome. I had had enough of busy Bundesbahnen
Lahm Dill Kreis, that was a familiar name. It meant I was progressing on the map!
Fourth day in the saddle and tomorrow I would already be home. Great perspectives on my ride
This area was very typical: going into a village meant a big descent, seeing the sign Auf Wiedersehen meant another climb out of the valley
Weather was improving and the area I was cycling through was very zen
A very enjoyable cycling format it is
I cannot do it all the time; but sometimes I capture the street sight with buildings and roads
I stopped at a gas station in the city of Herborn. Right now, I was recognizing place names
Last year after passing Herborn; I got caught up in some nasty weather. Today that scenario seemed out of the question
That same sign was there last year...
With Herborn behind me, I entered the Landkreis Westerwald. On the map it is a big green spot. This area goes up to more than 600 meters and there are several hills and valleys before you make it across. I spent the majority of the day in here.
The whole area reminded me of last year: as I entered this area it began raining. Because of the high elevation; the temperature dropped to minus two and it became ice. My fingers were so bloody cold I could not operate the breaks well. I was shivering and I had no way of finishing another 90 km to my hostel. Then I saw the youth hostel in the town Bad Marienberg; which basically saved me that day.
But today none of that, it was a fairy tale. Struggling my way to every hill top, enjoying the torpedo downhill with my superior disc brakes. It was a genuine delight!
This moment was very fun and I thought back a lot of last year and what happened in between. I was in such a deep meditation that I didn't even feel these crazily steep slopes.
The Westerwald was giving me today what I was supposed to be given last year; on that late April day in 2016.
Bad Marienberg; a name to remember in all eternity
My GPS kept sending me through big Bundesbahnen; It was up to me to say no and that's what I did. Look at my self made alternative!
Lovely downhill sections
I took a break at this spot, just like last year. I recognized it
Horsies
Today was a giant elevation play garden. I went as high as 640 and as low as 130. Every time I dropped so low, a very steep climb called for compensation
From this spot, it was a mere 250 km to home. It is the amount of miles I could accomplish in one day; but not today anymore.
From afar I saw this fox. Unfortunately my light weight camera could not zoom in more
I was already cycling in the Rhine region. That means West Germany! It also meant I had exited the Westerwald.
Temperature was cooling down...
Getting cloudy
Eventually I dropped to less than 100 meters of elevation. A new low for this ride. There was a very boring 20km straight section to Koln, along these cycling paths. As I entered Cologne; it got worse: so much traffic lights, cyclists, people; dogs; cars, cobbles, trams... I just went on survival mode. Those 10km were the most horrible of my entire five day ride
Didn't take many pictures in the city center; but we all know this building: the stock market
Then the glorious moment of passing the Rhine came. That signifies a giant step to home. Here; I felt I was getting there.
The Kolner Dom... Memories of 2004 lay there. I did not go into the center to see it from close by though.
The last section to Frechen was just as dull, along cycling paths and heavy traffic. I had a simple meal that night and went to bed early. One more ride and I am there!
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