Day 4: 11.06.2024, 117 km, 1460 m elevation gain
Today I travelled back and forth between Thuringia and Bavaria, with so much history of a divided Germany hanging in the beautiful green belt. Across the border, the houses look different, the infrastructure is worse, there are fewer pubs, I am greeted less often. The landscape is exciting, the hills are fun and the paths are more varied - instead of tarmac and simple forest tracks, I have to fight my way up and down more challenging paths for the first time. However, some roadworks force me onto a main road, which I get over as quickly as possible. I enjoy the rough roads all the more - I really feel at home on my bike.
I wake up in the fire station to a breakfast that is second to none. Thomas had come by early in the morning to provide me with plenty of food. So I can start the day wonderfully and amply fortified. What a crazy thing! I won’t forget the Löbelstein fire brigade in a hurry.
In between, I take a break to adjust the derailleur and swing. Shortly afterwards, I stop for another non-alcoholic beer in a courtyard café. I receive a warm welcome and am even offered a place to sleep. Unfortunately, I have to decline - I want to get to Göttingen the next day and have a few kilometres to do.
In the evening, I cycle on in the evening sun - beautiful, but I’m starting to worry about where I’m going to sleep. After I catch two somewhat grumpy people looking for a place to sleep, I consider spending the night outside. After a refreshing dip in the Ilm, I snuggle up next to my bike in the sparrow house.
Fire engine and bicycle
Breakfast for kings thanks to Thoma
Slate (could not be this photo)
