Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1774061929
160km, 7h02, 914 hm
160km, 7h02, 914 hm
A little after seven I left the motel in Frechen. One last ride of a little under hundred miles left, which will be mostly flat. Let's go do this thing!
The skies were menacing me in the early morning but in the end it remained dry
For the remainder in Germany, I went from Koln to Düren and then Aachen.
Following Bundesbahn again; but this time with cycling paths
Some minor ascents and descents on this section
Pedaling along the fields of West Germany
This will be the fourth successful ride in between Prague and my home.
Only thing I have to admit is that my behind was a bit sour from four very long days in the saddle
Even on this fifth day I was sent through very different roads
It was not as warm as before
Today's skies
Race style geometry
This was very flat and straight, quite the contrast with yesterday
Bartman navigating through West Germany
Not too happy with the main roads I was sent on; I decided to just follow the cycling lanes to Düren
The time of the village fests was there
From Düren the only remaining German landmark was Aachen. So close to the border now.
Again main roads were selected for me and again I ditched them for cycling paths. I followed the direction of Stolberg. I met two older German cyclists here with whom I had a nice little chat.
This area is called the High Eiffel. I did climb to a peak of 250 meters.
Still a minor hill to conquer on my last day
Leaving landkreis Düren; entering district Aachen.
Stolberg; the little community right next to Aachen
50 km done; only a 100 left. I stopped for some bread here; I was hungry
Aachen was drawing near...
The very provocative sight of a Burka in the open street. View next to the red car.
As I cycled through Aachen, I saw these ambulances
The Aachen railway station. I spent the night in a nearby hostel one year ago, on a very rainy day.
Navigating through Aachen was like every big city; annoying with heavy traffic.
Aachener Dom
Place names indicated in Belgium and the Netherlands!
Approaching the Netherlands
After 650km of Germany, I found myself in the more familiar Netherlands. 75km left here.
The three nations mark in Vaals
This is the route I took last year; just one direct line to Maastricht and then into Belgium
Vols in Limburg
Feeling in victory mode here.
Beautiful views in Limburg, Netherlands.
I passed by the small towns of Margraten and Cadier en Keer. There was one longer hill and then the 40kmph descent into the city of Maastricht.
Maastricht; the last city before touching Belgian soil
Railway station with a multitude of bikes
Wenzhou restaurant... I know a few people from Wenzhou actually
Crossing the river Maas in Maastricht
And that rounds up my short time in the Netherlands!
Back in Belgium; region of Flanders, province of Limburg.
From here I could follow the Albert Channel all the way to my home town Lummen
As soon as I entered this path I could feel the head wind blow in my face. I decided to take it easy; listen to some music; let the wind blow of my fatigue and most importantly; to not let if affect my victory mentality. I was less than 50 km form home and it was not even 2 pm. Relax boy!
This was pretty zen, listening to music and relaxing. Speed was around 22 kmph and that was enough
From this spot, I had to cycle to Genk and Hasselt and then I would be home.
Last year it was raining here, today it was dry. I saw cyclists coming - of course - from the opposite direction, with tailwind
Having a good time on my last 40 km
I took off my gloves etc. so I could feel the breeze everywhere
Counting down every kilometer now
Windy Albert Channel
The Belgian flag
It wouldn't be the Albert Channel cycling path if there weren't deviations, where cyclists were forced off the channel. I found my way back in the end, adding a few more km to the total.
At last, after nearly two hours along that channel full of head winds, I made it to Lummen, my home town.
Nearly a thousand kilometers, around ten thousand meters of elevation gain; within five days. This calls for a little celebration
Celebrate good times, come on!
Lummen! From this spot six more kilometers until home
I bought a bucket of flowers for my mom and some chocolates for my dad. And that is how my five day conquest of central Europe went well for the fourth time already! Over and out!
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