I didn’t get lost!

Day 2: June 11 2014 Floersheim am Main to Oberwesel

Today was a big success. I think I redeemed myself from yesterday’s directional disaster by not getting lost a single time today!  I didn’t even need to ask anyone for directions. And on top of that, I intentionally took turns that weren’t listed on my map because I had a good feeling about it. All good.

And my reward? An absolutely beautiful day of biking.  After waking up to heavy rain and a dramatic thunderstorm, I slowly ate breakfast and packed up. I started biking under cloudy skies and a spitting rain at about 9 am. My route began along the Main River.

It didn’t take long for me to arrive in Mainz, where the Main feeds into the Rhein River.

Once over to bridge and biking with the Rhein to my right, I found a series of beautiful bike paths nestled between garden huts, and asparagus, fruit, and horse farms.

Once I found the bank of the Rhein again, I could see that I was in a river valley with rolling hills extending outward from the banks.  Every now and then a village would emerge, its steeple announcing its existence to me upon the horizon.

The hills gradually got bigger and steeper, and many were cultivated vineyards. I was grateful to be cruising along at river-level most of the day!

After a much-needed lunch and break in the shade, I continued on, stopping to stick my feet in the river at every good spot I found!

I am now happily showered and settled into a cozy room at the very top of one of these river bluffs.  Without a doubt the hardest part of my day was the rocky, muddy, nearly vertical climb that my map told me was the bike friendly way to reach my hostel.

Almost ready now to head down to dinner with 60 middle school girls that are also staying here for a music camp. They didn’t quite know what to do with me when I rolled in looking….well, like a sweaty bike tourer.  Let’s see what they say when they see me eat…like a hungry bike tourer!