To Friedrichshafen - Follow My Heart - CycleBlaze

September 2, 2024

To Friedrichshafen

Today was traveling day - I was bound for Friedrichshafen, Germany to meet Suzanne for a week-long tour in the Allgäu region of Bavaria. It was a multi-modal day of travel: bike, train, train, train, walk, catamaran, bike. A bit complicated, but I was up for the challenge and very much looking forward to getting back out on tour. And touring with Suzanne is always special.

The first leg was an early morning trip to Gare de l'Est, a 4.5 mile ride through the darkened streets of Paris. I dug out my headlight and affixed it to my helmet from whence it performed wonderfully, illuminating both the route and my route map. Oh, if only I'd have used it in the long tunnels of Italy.

I arrived at the Gare de l'Est just past 7 am, in plenty of time for my 7:58 TGV to Strasbourg. From there I transferred to Deutsch Bahn - first to Offenburg and then a transfer to Konstanz. All went smoothly with little train trauma - there was some hauling the bike and gear up and down staircases, but there was plenty of time for transfers and no cause for stress. The only mishap was a trip and a fall while disembarking in Offenburg; however, two gentlemen rushed to help both me and Vivien George up off the platform and no injuries were incurred.

Early morning arrival at Gare de l'Est
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Vivien George snugly secured in the old school TGV bike space
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Lots of bike space on the regional DB trains - and no hooks!
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The Konstanz train station is located just a short walk from the ferry docks at Lake Constance (Bodensee). A conveniently placed a sign listed dock numbers and upcoming departures and directed me to Der Katamaran, my transport across the Bodensee to Friedrichshafen. Tickets for me and Vivien George were purchased from the dockside machine, thanks to help from a friendly German couple also traveling with bikes. We were soon pulling out of the harbor - Vivien George spent the journey in group of four bikes loosely tied to a bulkhead while I leaned out the railing, relishing the sea breeze and sights along the water.

Imperia and blimp at the Konstanz harbor. The Imperia statue apparently rotates every four minutes, something I failed to notice during the half hour I spent waiting for the catamaran ferry
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Yep, I'm in Germany and struggling to understand any spoken word
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Along the Bodensee in Konstanz
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I spent the crossing hanging off the railing and looking at the distant hills of the Allgäu
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Almost to Friedrichshafen, the birthplace of the Zeppelin airship
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The ferry crossing to Friedrichshafen took a bit less than an hour and then it was a short ride to our hotel where I spotted Suzanne in drive, waiting to welcome me with a big smile and hugs. We secured Vivien George in the bike storage room and I headed upstairs to my room - I’d been ten hours in transit and was sorely in need of a little rest before dinner. I also had to figure out why my new power pack was not charging - my phone was down to 1% battery life when I reached the hotel.

 By 6:30, I’d gotten a little rest, made a tentative diagnosis on the electronics issue, and was feeling refreshed and relieved when I met Suzanne and Janos in the lobby - Janos had driven Suzanne down from Gauting but wouldn't be joining us on the tour. We three walked down to the harbor and found a wonderful table under the arbor at the Yacht Club restaurant. It was a nice relaxed evening with good food and great friends, together again on the eve of another touring adventure.

Special folk
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Karen PoretTo Rachael AndersonIndeed on both counts
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2 months ago
Susan CarpenterTo Rachael AndersonThanks Rachael!
I'm a bit behind in replying, but I do hope that you are feeling better. It's misery to have a cold/cough last so long.
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2 months ago
Rachael AndersonTo Susan CarpenterI’m still coughing a lot which is very unusual for me! I only had cough syrup I could take at night but Scott got me some I can take during the day.
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2 months ago
So nice to be together again
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Steve Miller/GrampiesAnd all looking so good!
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2 months ago

Today's ride: 6 miles (10 km)
Total: 2,039 miles (3,281 km)

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