Five differing distances, five differing profiles, five differing ways to "feel the burn". There was the "family ride" (of 35k or 21 miles), then a 75K, a 110K, 155K and a 240K. Knowing our own limitations (not being Tour de France riders, that is, and not having the high-tech Rennrads) we opted for the 75K (that is, 46.6 Miles).
Want to know the route? Pull up your Google Earth (or use MapMyRide) and input the bold names in the text below to ride along! We were on the main roads and bike trails (but not the Autobahn, ok?)
The day was lovely, although it was looking to be a little on the warm side, so we got an early start. Leaving Bad Bellingen at 8:15am, we proceeded south to Efringen, then on to Egringen. From there it was a nice ride up the valley (Kandertal) passing by Holzen and on to Riedlingen.
Madge can ride her bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars ... (sorry, gratuitous song reference)
Above: Paul and Madge on the trail between Holzen and Riedlingen
Madge at the first checkpoint in Kandern (25K and going strong)
Above: Some of the "competition" - okay, there was not really a competition, these are just the profis in their blue club Tricots (a Velo club from Dornach, Switzerland). The blue team was riding the 110K distance. Some other Swiss riders (at the table) were also riding the 75K. We rode as a loose group with them for most of the distance.
From Kandern we proceeded on through Sitzenkirch, Johannesbreite, Sehringen and on to Badenweiler.
Madge climbing up towards Badenweiler. This part of the ride was lovely - in the shade and with gorgeous views!
Looking out at the valley from up on the mountain.
Another view of the valley.
... and Madge heads down a little hill and around the corner.
At the bottom of the hill, we rode through Badenweiler, then on up a hill through Schwärze (small enough that you will not find it on Google Earth). We hit 63KPH (that's about 38MPH) coming down the hill into Britzingen.
Riding through the vineyards above Britzingen, we saw this neat sign for a little Dorf (very small village) called Muggardt. We like foxes. ^..^
We then wound our way through Laufen and Dottingen, with another checkpoint coming up in Heitersheim.
Madge at the last checkpoint in Heitersheim (50K in only 25K to go). They had water and snax at both checkpoints and we re-tanked our water bottles at each stop.
Some lovely flowers along the road.
We like poppies.
If you are still Google-mapping the route (you are? cool!), from Heiterseheim, we rode on through Grißheim, Zienken, and Neuenburg. The wind was right in our face and the sun was hot! It took a bit of work to get back to Bad Bellingen (and I had put the camera away to concentrate on riding), but we made it! Next on le Menu - a Tour in France (but not "le Tour").
Happy trails, everyone!
