Day 5: from Nordhausen to Leipzig

Encounters (I): We want to have breakfast in the bakery next to the hotel; my wife goes to the counter to order: "Good morning, we would like to have a cup of coffee..." - she didn't get any further because the waitress interrupted: "There are cards on the table!" Which means something like "Please take a seat, the waitress will come to your table and will be happy to take your valuable order!" However, she was later told: "Payment is at the counter."

We skipped breakfast at the hotel in Nordhausen. We also assume that the hotel management was not very happy with our stay. After yesterday's question about a drying facility for our clothes was answered negatively ("the machines are probably still in use"), we were forced to make more and more use of the powerful hairdryer in the bathroom...

As things stand, the prize for the best cycle paths clearly goes to Nordhausen, but that's not all; long periods of traffic lights are also always a joy. Speaking of traffic lights: perhaps we could ask the government for support in repairing the cycle paths. I've heard that there is money available in a certain place (perhaps an idea for Mönchengladbach-Rheydt?)

From Nordhausen we head downhill with a tailwind (a very good combination) past the Kyffhäuser Monument with Kaiser Wilhelm I and Kaiser Barbarossa at his feet to Sangerhausen (these are all ancient towns here, some from the Carolingian era), then continue eastwards. In the meantime we are becoming more and more familiar with cobblestones. It's a good thing that there are no denture wearers in our group so far.

This weekend, races for the Motocross World Cup are taking place in Teutschenthal (can be seen on Eurosport). The drivers' and team camp can be seen from afar. Lots of visitors arrive in mobile homes and caravans and complete the crowd. At the Edeka we meet a friendly Brit, a member of a team (chef, girl for everything) with a bratwurst. A little surprising when the chef eats somewhere else...

The team is on the road for around 6 months, races take place on virtually every continent. It started in Argentina in March and the season ends in the Philippines in October. He can go home once a month.

The only thing that concerns him is the depth of the hole in which the course is built and the rain forecast for tomorrow.

On the way we were allowed to use the hygiene rooms of the sports club SV Lochau - thank you very much!

We approach Leipzig on quiet cycle paths along the Elster and through the Saxon state forest.

We were given a very friendly welcome at the Hotel Royal and were even allowed to rebook, as the author of this text had only reserved the hotel room for the following day. The hotel also has a spacious bicycle storage room.

In the evening we go to the town festival, where we get to know local specialties: Ur-Kostitzer, Langos, Guinness, Murpheys,...