Day 6 - Three Countries In One Day

 Today was my opportunity to try out my new REI rain jacket that I had purchased specifically for this trip. In Los Angeles there really is much of a need for rain gear but I didn't want to get caught unprepared and as we left the hotel there was a light shower.  Today was going to be a metric century so off we went winding our way through Colmar. 

As you can see from Epic Ride Weather below, showers were predicted tapering off through the day. Light winds in the morning increasing through the day. Almost direct head winds and as our route shifted, turning into tailwinds at the end of the day.

We followed the city streets of Colmar for about 4 km until we landed on a tree lined crushed gravel bike path. Before too long, the rain stopped, clouds parted and the sun came out. Time for a clothing change. Removed my rain jacket, rolled it up tightly and stiffed it into one of the three rear pockets of my cycling jersey. 

About 17 km we crossed a drawbridge into the town of Neuf-Brisach, a fortified town surrounded by a now dry moat protected by fictitious characters.

Crossing into Neuf-Brisach

Protected by a bison

As well as a huge monkey

Our perfect cycling day cycling day consists of coffee, lunch, ice cream and finally beer. Today our coffee stop was 34 km miles into the ride at the small town of Fessenheim where we found a bakery. We munched on pastries and coffee on the street side tables and enjoyed the beautiful weather. What started out dreary and cool had now turned into a cycling day to remember.

Our route for today was taking us near the borders of 2 other countries in addition to the one that we are currently in, France. As we neared the city of Basel, we crossed into Switzerland and across the Rhine.

We followed the banks of the Rhine through Basel and stopped to enjoy the view, along with many of the residents of the city, of the wide fast moving river as it made it's way the the North Sea all the way in the Netherlands.

Viewing the Rhine from the banks in Basel

As enjoyable as the scene was and perhaps another coffee or a beer may have been, we decided that with 16 km remaining, we push on to our destination and third country, Rheinfelden Germany. As Epic Ride Weather has correctly predicted, we would experience a tail wind for the final stretch. Nothing is so nice as having the final set of miles to the destination as having either a tail wind or a downhill to finish your ride, and on the way, we crossed into the last country of the day Germany.

Final stretch home

In the United States, on occasion, you can travel three states in a single day, but to touch 3 countries is a rare treat.

We did have our beer after arriving at the hotel as we waited until Jan to arrive with our bags, but more about that tomorrow.

Today's Photos

Brian