Day 8: Mountain stage

My second week begins, as always, with breakfast. Before the upcoming stage, I have a real respect for it. According to plan, there are about 1,200 meters of altitude waiting for me, my 18 kg bike, and about 15 kg of luggage (the one liter of tea I always have reduces the weight during the day).

The first kilometers are still flat, so to speak, for a warm-up ride. We come across the 'Euregio Egrensis' cycle path, a circular route with Czech parts. However, the signs do not indicate this, an unpleasant way to treat cyclists. I will have to complain about that a lot...

Then finally the climb. Technically on rocky ground, but komoot and my wife find an alternative on asphalt. I think of Hank Häberle: 'I trebbl trebbl trebbl until I almost can't take it anymore', then I'm up. My wife had to wait, now it's the other way around. I used to wait. Someday I will also ride with assistance... With some ups and downs, we pass Bad Steben, Lichtenberg, Blankenstein, and reach the Saale. I push the beginning of the Rennsteig, then it gets better. On quiet roads and field paths, we reach the Saale, then it goes up and down again in a change, until we reach Saalburg. The Saale is dammed up in the area, and this part is called the 'Thuringian Sea' - traveling broadens the mind!

The question of accommodation arises. Booking.com doesn't find anything nearby, and the tourist office can only be reached by phone, but they mention the 'Post' in Gräfenwarth, which is on our way. A call: yes, a room is available, the inn is closed, but we will get something to eat. Let's do it. Unfortunately, the 'Post' is one of those inns that are probably dying out and don't have Wi-Fi. So: don't assume anything, always ask if in doubt.