Stealth bikes 4-August 2010

Yesterday we bought two Pegasus trekking bicycles, at tall one with a mens frame and a shorter one with a Swiss frame (also affectionately known as a half-girlie frame). Unfortunately they didn't have any intersting colours in the type of bicycle that we were looking for, so they are both silver and white. George has added some colour to his bike with red paniers, and mine is looking sophisticated with black ones. We've packed everything we own into these paniers, expect for the cycle carry bags and hold luggage bags that are locked up in a large dog cage at the hostel until we get back there on the 1st of September.

The bikes are awesome! Fantastic Shimano 24 gears, sprung saddle and front forks and really nice to ride. Being brandspanking new, nothing rattles or squeeks so we have been sneaking up on hapless pedestrians and cyclists and scaring the living bejeezus out of them - hence today's title. We have a klanger rather than a bell to warn people of impending doom.

This morning we set out following the river Main downstream to where it joins to the Rhein/Rijn, except for the bit where we thought we were avoiding the industrial area and a likely dead end. It probably wasn't a dead end, but we figured that out later, once we bought a more detailed map of the area. The detour took us to Zeilsheim, where we found one of the cycle routes Radfarhen 8 (R8). We thought great and followed it to the right, through a tunnel, and into a rural area where the sign post indicated that we were going the wrong direction (straight north rather than west or northwest). So turned around, retraced some of the route and eventually picked up the R3 going the right direction, along the rivers Main and Rhein, near Okriftel.

Somewhere near there I lost the bet as to who would be first to fall of the bike. I failed to take one of those zig-zag barriers across the path properly. The yapping dog distracted me enough that one of the paniers clipped the barrier and threw my balance off. It resulted in one of those slow, but inevitable, tipping over on your side scenes. Only a finger and my ego were a bit bruised.

It is lovely cycling along the river, lots of historic sights, occasional wildlife reserves, and boats plying the river. We also passed a holidaying family - Mum and Dad and a horde of kids all on bikes. Mum & Dad were towing trailers (Dad's with luggage & camping gear, Mum with a couple of passenger children). Dad also had a child on a seat on the back of his bike, and a ten (?) year old had his own bike with a teddy bear on the carrier. Looked really cute! Mum & Dad looked very fit so they probably do this all the time ....

There are kids playground every few kilometers or so, and there are all sorts of things you can't do - including being noisy! Rules are probably as bit pointless because most little kids wouldn't be able to read them! People in cars and truck are very careful around cyclists and would rather follow behind at our modest speed than overtake in narrow streets. The R8 and R3 are dedicated to cyclists and pedestrians and most of the route is well away from road traffic. Surfaces varied, some tarmac, some cobbles or brick, others just dirt (but still smooth). There are lots of big mansions and the occasional castle along the river. We've cycled about 54 km today and have found a room in a lovely little hotel in Eltville am Rhine. Eltville has buidlings dating back to 1480, several castles, heaps of quaint old buidling and narrow winding coblestone streets.

We've really enjoyed today, the weather was great, exploring the area was great, and the bicycles were awesome. Bit sore and stiff now though. Will have to do some yoga tonight before going to sleep to get the kinks out. The total distance cycled is probably not as much as we'd like to achieve eventually, but, then neither of us has cycled in anger for more than 5 years. We'll just have to get fitter.

More photos


My bicyle


George on his bike