59 to Breisach

🇬🇧 English version below

Tour data: Distance 86.2 kilometers (cumulative 4'903 kilometers), Ø 20.4 km/h, driving time 4:14 hours

Weather: Sunny and up to 30° warm. Wind would have been welcome today.

Since I didn't see much of Strasbourg yesterday, I went there this morning in cool temperatures and took a few photos of this beautiful city. A few years ago, André and I were here by bike. At that time we drove down practically every street and wondered about the many tourists. Today I was almost alone on the road.

To Breisach, my destination today, there were two options. I chosed the easy one. This route is all along the Rhine-Rhone Canal and is nicely shaded. That was very welcome in today's heat. The disadvantage is that it almost always looks the same and there are no opportunities to stop for a long time. That's why I left the comfort zone in Nordhouse. The thirst was just too big.

Chance quickly led me to a simple restaurant that took good care of me. The landlord filled my two thermos bottles with ice-cold water for free, which I was very grateful for later. Even if I didn't overstrain myself and had a lot of shade, it was a very thirsty day. 🥛

I also have positive things to say about my rear axle suspension. After all the air was blown out this morning, I figured nothing would be lost by trying out my little pump. I can't explain why, but I was able to pump again and the suspension is working again. However, I guess I'll have to do it again tomorrow.

Tomorrow I will break the 5'000 kilometer mark on this journey. For me, this has not only made a dream come true, but I have achieved something that I did not believe in 100% at the beginning of my tour. But it shows once again that you can activate what you thought was impossible if you try hard enough.

A 'school friend' wrote me the following: You let me be a part of your great tour, enthusiastically took a lot of great photos of the beach and the sea, of secluded places, forests and flowers, many cities and churches, I often have you all around me envied these experiences. For some time now there has been a lack of enthusiasm in your reports, is it homesickness or have you become aware of the risks you have taken and how much protection you have experienced, or are you urging a new project?

I don't really know what to answer, because I haven't become aware of any decreasing enthusiasm myself. What do you think about?

One thing is clear to me. After two months my head is pretty full with such different impressions and experiences. It has helped me a lot to write this blog on a daily basis. So I was able to review many things and not just hold them for you or me.

On today's canal route I met many other touring riders. That has changed a lot, in the beginning I was quite alone, but I really liked that. So I'm glad to have made this trip alone. I was able to make many decisions for myself without discussing them. I don't think I'd be home anytime soon with company.

Breisach, where I am now, is a beautiful little town that I already knew superficially. Years ago I was in the area with Brigitte and we also paid a short visit to Breisach. But I only realized that when I saw the place again.

From here it would be possible to drive home in one stage. However, it would be a big stage and the heat is also keeping me from doing it. Now I'm looking for an intermediate goal. do you have any idea for me?