August 5, 2015
Hanau to Bad Soden
It was a lovely day's cycling today and until we arrived in Bad Soden it wasn't nearly as hot as yesterday.
Breakfast at the Hotel Domino was at 6.30 and was a typically good german breakfast, somewhat to our surprise the dining room was full of workmen who must be working on the endless digging up of roads that is happening all over the city. We were away by 7,30 which was great as it meant an early finish so we avoided most of the heat of the day. Getting out of Hanau was really easy. We are travelling on the R3 which travels from Main up into the Rhon mountains - we will be following it as far as Fulda. So far it is the most amazing route, it is perfectly signed so we went all day without having to use a map or the GPS. Most of it is on dedicated cycle routes with the on road portions being on very small quiet roads - it is sealed most of the way.
We started in the suburbs of Hanau and all day we were on the flood plain of the Kinzig with the towns clinging to the hills on the edges. A lot of the track was in cool forest but we were passing through farming country as well. The crops harvested were wheat, barley, rape seed, There were a few sugar beets and quite a lot of maize that was a long way from maturity. There were a quite a lot of horses a few cattle and one lot of turkeys ,the farmers were absent. Ken thought he was going to go the whole day without seeing a single old tractor but just before we got here he saw two that really excited him.
Our coffee stop was at the lovely little town of Geinhausen. The places we have passed through are not the slightest bit touristy and Geinhausen is really a charming place. One of the advantages of travelling by bike is that every one talks to you and we were joined for coffee by a lady who was from Fulda which she assures us is a most interesting city.
Bad Soden is a spar town with lots 'Klinics' and places where you can take a cure, most of the people seem to have very bad limps so I feel like a spring chicken, We had considerable problems finding this place which was of course at the top of a very steep hill. When we got here there was nobody around and it took 2 phone calls for me to raise anyone. The room however is wonderful, large with tea and coffee making facilities and a fridge so we are happily settled. Ken took a recce into town and says there is a lovely old centre which I will see when we go down our mountain for dinner
Today's ride: 56 km (35 miles)
Total: 117 km (73 miles)
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