To Monschau

August 20, 2021

We’re in luck. It didn’t rain last night, and our bikes stayed nearly dry outside by the woodpile. There was a slight bit of mist - during breakfast I think, while we were watching the fog burn off in the valley below from our breakfast table - but I’d remembered to cover the saddles last night so that was fine. We would have been quite unhappy with this place if it had poured outside last night. Michelin-rated restaurant or not, keeping our bikes safe and dry is of course a higher priority.

And, in case you think that spoiled Team Anderson is in the habit of staying at only the best of the best, this is the first Michelin-rated restaurant we dined at since our meal at the Luna Rossa in southern Italy over two years ago. And we only did so this time due to our last minute decision to stay out of Germany for another day and had to book what was available.

The lowlands are long gone now and we’re definitely in hillier country today. It doesn’t look like a terrible ride today, but we’ll see more climbing than any day since leaving southern Utah last spring. By the end of the day our legs will be reminding us of the fact.

We start out with a short climb but maybe the steepest one of the day, to a significant landmark - the three point point, where Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands come together.

Leaving Viljen. Still overcast, but. Bit brighter today. And dry, which is of course the main consideration.

So you thought everywhere in the Netherlands was flat? Think again.

The GBO scores a three-bagger, at the intersection of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands.

Most of today’s ride will be on quiet roads through a national park, but first we have to get there. For about ten miles we skirt the southwest corner of Aachen, on roads not always to our liking. Finally though we’re back in the country again, gradually climbing toward the High Fen Natural Park.

When we arrive in the natural park we find what we hoped for - miles of riding through the forest on empty roads, barricaded from cars. We see only one other biker and a few walkers until we come to the edge of a reservoir, find a picnic table with a nice view, and stop for lunch.

Out in the country, climbing toward the High Fen Natural Park.

After our break we skirt the edge of the reservoir, cross the dam, and start climbing. It’s all uphill for the next five miles but gradual the whole way. We get a scare at the base of the climb when we come to a sign warning of certain death if we proceed, but we do so anyway after seeing another biker coming our way and looking unperturbed. It looks like the sign is there due to a significant landslide that must have covered the road with mud but has since been cleared - maybe during the horrible flooding that occurred in this region last month.

We’re at the top, so these must be the High Fens. There’s nowhere higher around here to go.

From the summit it’s all downhill to Monschau - fairly steep, twisty, narrow, shoulderless most of the way. That deadly stretch in the woods was nothing compared to this. Along the way though we at least get to claim a new international border for the trophy wall, and then look back to pick up another.

So we’re in Monschau for the night. Monschau is too amazing to squeeze in at the end of this post, so stay tuned.

Video sound track: Through the Woods, by Yasmin Williams

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Jacquie GaudetWeird! When I switch to the "map" view to see the international borders, there appears to be a tiny strip of Belgium (containing the Vennbahnweg) separating some islands of Germany. So I had to look up how it happened and found this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium–Germany_border
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3 years ago

Scott AndersonTo Jacquie GaudetHey, you’re preempting tomorrow’s post!
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3 years ago

Jacquie GaudetOops! I’ll bet there’s lots more to say, though.
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3 years ago

Ride stats today: 33 miles, 2,800’; for the tour: 340 miles, 7,500’

Today's ride: 33 miles (53 km)
Total: 340 miles (547 km)

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