To Freudenstadt - Over the Alps and back again - CycleBlaze

July 29, 2024

To Freudenstadt

Ups and downs

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Today was hard.  I don't particularly feel like revisiting it, so will forgo my usual in-the-moment, present tense recount. But it was a day of ups and downs, with some  wonderful scenery as a reward for challeging climbs.

Our first downer was realising we had tech difficulties as we left the hotel. Bruce's Wahoo wasn't behaving itself and I didn't have the route on mine. But that was OK.  Tour Leader plotted a course that, after a necessary visit to a hole in the wall,  eventually took us onto the RadNETZ Black Forest cycle path.  

That route soon turned us right and up a steep hill.  Our reward for the climb was a detour high above the busy main road down in the valley, riding through lush, forested farming country - green as far as the eye could see. And the steep ride back down to the valley on smooth tarseal was so much fun. Definitely a thumbs up. 

Back in the narrow valley, we found ourselves on a busy highway with no shoulder and too many tooting trucks. In an effort to find the cycle path again, we took a punt on a possible shortcut that soon turned into a steep, unrideable push for over 5km. Again, though, we found ourselves in beautiful lush forest - a far cry from the dangerously busy road we'd left behind. The final stretch was a tar-sealed road from the top of the climb, which took no time at all in delivering us to our apartment in Freudenstadt.

So, a day of ups and downs. It was a ride we're pleased to have achieved. But we were at our limit.

We are staying put for three nights in a very comfortable apartment, and there may be very little biking tomorrow.

 

I'm gaining a new appreciation for bus shelters in hot weather. This is a perfect lunch stop.
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High above the valley
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Back on the valley floor - ruins of the Schenkenburg castle
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This route was signposted as the cycle path . . .
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. . .but soon deteriorates
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A welcome refuge
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Simply magnificent
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Home sweet home
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Jill BrinsleyWow that was a huge day!! Impressive mileage without factoring in all the ups. The views are fabulous. Have a well deserved rest fir a bit!
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4 months ago
Robyn RichardsTo Jill BrinsleyThanks, Jill!
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4 months ago

Today's ride: 100 km (62 miles)
Total: 275 km (171 miles)

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Comment on this entry Comment 4
Sue HowieEnjoy your few days of relaxation as you certainly deserve it after that days effort.
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4 months ago
Robyn RichardsWe won't be doing much today. However, it's a beautiful region worth exploring.
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4 months ago
Dawn HunterSounds like a tough day. Great you now have some ‘down time’ - nice walking area. Photos on Strave were beautiful! 👍
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4 months ago
Robyn RichardsFeeling better for the off-bike break Dawn.
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4 months ago