May 13, 2023 to May 14, 2023
Saint Maurice-sur-Moselle - Saverne
Stage 16
The rain cleared overnight and I headed out toward La Bresse in warm sunshine, so warm I was soon stopping to strip off layers. It was a gentle uphill to La Bresse on the D486. The Trail ran along a higher route but then headed into the unknown of "path-land".
In La Bresse I stopped for coffee just as a group of 6 roadies pulled in. Their bikes were very high end and it was quite a performance stacking them so they only touched in exactly the right way!
As I finished my coffee another group arrived, also on beautiful bikes. By now parking was at a premium so I unparked Wally, and that freed up 3 spaces for slimmer bikes. These roadies turned out to be Canadian and were polite enough to admire Wally's set up and express admiration for my Portugal to Denmark ride. They were in town for a big race the next day which carried world cup qualifying status. So that explains the bike porn!
As I rode up to Col de Grosse Pierre I met at least 50 riders heading down who were checking out the course. It was a very bike - busy stretch of road.
Over the pass, through Gerardmer, and onto the D8 through Anould to Saint Saulcy-sur-Meurthe had me at the B&B by 1400, 2 hours ahead of check in. Oops!
My hosts arrived home soon after my arrival and let me into the room while apologising for the lawn mowing noise they were about to make - as if I'd care!
Next morning it was back across the D415 onto the D58, D420, and D1420 through Schirmeck, Wisches, Lutzelhouse, Urmatt and Oberhaslach on Sunday-quiet roads. Then the surprise of the day from G. maps - a left turn onto the D75, and Wangenbourg-Engenthal forest. WOW! The green of the trees was breathtaking, and it went on for 2 hours of beautiful riding.
My destination for the day was Saverne, and my final night in France. It being Sunday, there had been no open supermarkets along the way, so my last French meal was cheese and my emergency packet of rice.
Stage 17 was 171km and 3540m of climbing - which I definitely didn't rack up as I was still in "path avoidance" mode and had 2 days on the road. Wally and I did 144km and climbed 1570m, and had a delightful 2 days on the road.
Next stop Germany!
Today's ride: 144 km (89 miles)
Total: 3,372 km (2,094 miles)
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2 weeks ago