This morning was going to start with a lung busting climb out of Monschau, but before that the Brompton needed some TLC. A quick clean of the gears, but more importantly some oil. I’d noticed yesterday that the chain was very dry and a bit squeaky and it was actually rusty this morning. My oil was at the bottom of the rucksack, so there was no way I was going to do it until this morning.
Breakfast was a bit of a disappointment. I was the first there and most of the hot food wasn’t ready – so much for German efficiency. I got chatting to a German on the next table, who gleefully told me that his electric bike wouldn’t make it up the hill out of town, and that I must be riding something really sporty to attempt it, ha ha ! I’m not sure what all the fuss was about, in the end it was pretty easy.
I was soon back on the Vennbahn and pretty quickly came across one of the many shelters they have for cyclists. I’m guessing rain is pretty common here ! I was surprised to see that the shelter had a portrait of me.
After the disappointing breakfast I could have been tempted by a tasty waffle, from a snack bar supposedly 5km down the track. It wasn’t to be though, as I think they were all still asleep !
The rest of the day was spent dodging heavy rain and trying the variety of shelters provided. I knew I had plenty of time so was happy to wait out the heavier rain.
The rail path was a pleasure to ride, lovely and smooth and this time with more down than up ! But still near on 500m of climbing.
It ended 20km short of my destination for the night. The rest of the ride being on quiet country roads, which turned out to have the steepest climbs of the day requiring the granny gear, but not for long.
I rolled into Gerolstein after 84km, not as pretty as last nights location, but I’m not fussy, just need food,bed and shower !
Tomorrow should be the last day with any notable amount of climbing. I should make it to Trier and the start of my journey down the Mosel and possibly the Rhine. The only fly in the ointment may be flooding, which is by all accounts quite serious in places.
Steady Pedals 