Day 8
53 Kms together
Dianne 58.75 kms
Wayne 86kms
Total ride distance 479.3
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/541960512
We left Cologne with ominous clouds above & around us. I was very worried we would get caught in early rain & would be freezing all day. We went to 2 bikes shops but didn't find suitable rain apparel, but we did find breakfast & ate it street side. (The hotel we stayed at wanted too high a price for breakfast).
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| Breakfast on the street... |
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| Old stuff everywhere in Cologne |
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A family truckster with 4 kids in the front & room for one more behind.
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View as we rode along the Rhine this morning heading to Bonn on the Route 15
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90 minute interval snack - food of champions. These are called Berliners, filled with Jam.
Highly refined & very delicious!!
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The Germans must be
very proud of their industrial areas because the best bike routes go
through them. At least we didn't feel any toxic waste fallout today.
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| A random old mansion we passed... |
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| Wayne trying to draft behind a tractor, it was going too slow &
eventually let us pass. He does on anything big enough that goes past.
His way of amusing himself while I potter along at 19km/h. |
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| These markers are on both sides of the river. |
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Hersel where there is a long Island in the Rhine
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| Another random waterfront mansion |
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| Poppies growing in amongst wheat ... |
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| Two beautiful swans |
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| These were part of a large flock just hanging out on the banks of the Rhine |
We had to divert off the cycle path & I hit a German pothole & got a flat just outside Bonn, the mobile mechanic go to it pretty quick & we were on our way again in 20 mins...
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| Yep - it is flat |
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| whipping off the tyre to get to the inner tube |
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| We found the D8 again after losing it in Cologne. |
Something still wasn't right with my bike ... A quick check & adjustment, but still not right ...
So we were directed to the rad station. A huge shed full of bikes that are parked here, can be hired or are being repaired. 5 minutes later the bike was well adjusted & we were on our way again.
We had lunch in Bonnn at German pub, then spent a little while looking around. I also went to H&M to pick up an extra layer. It was a 14 degree day, there were some people with singlets & sandals on. My standard for summer temperatures is much higher!
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| My bike in front of a cute water feature |
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| An old tower of Bonn |
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The house Beethoven was born in and lived in until he was 4,
I think they are milking this connection just a little bit. |
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Statue of Beethoven in the main square
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We really liked Bonn, it had loads of character, but due to wasted time with the flat & bike issues, we were not able to spend more time there.
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| In front of a monument that we couldn't find out what is for. |
My extra layer being modelled here. I was so cold most of the day as it was overcast & threatening to rain most of the time. I did find the perfect raincoat, but it was 199 euro .. A little bit pricey ...
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| Heading out of Bonn |
These are the signs we need to look out for when looking for accomodation.
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| Bett & Bike - means they will store our bike in a safe place. |
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| The view of the ferry we had to catch to get here. |
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| The tram line from Bonn |
We got into our accomodation & Wayne decided to ride to this Castle while I pottered about in the village .. He was very impressed with what he saw & thinks he will be taking me up there tomorrow, I have reminded him that I have limited kilometres & elevation during the day....
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After a fabulous, delicious & reasonably priced turkish dinner we went for a walk along the riverfront
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| Sunset selfie |
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| Donkeys were used to carry people up to the lookout, and were important for the economy of Kongswinter. |
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| The Rathaus of Konigswinter. |
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The world cup was being followed closely.
Some of the beautiful homes on the waterfront.
Some very old, weather beaten gravestones.
