This was scheduled to be my last short day (with the exception of Florence to Siena) of the trip. It started with another Mega breakfast (just how many bowls of fruit salad can you have before you start feeling guilty - 3 in my case). I rolled out down the Pave at about 11am on a very sunny and windy morning. The first part of the ride followed the Germany-Luxembourg border, alongside the rivers Our and Sure, heading towards Echternach. I was happily pedaling along when a mountain biker overtook me near the top of a hill, he quickly gained about 200m on me, but after a while I noticed he had not gained any more. Right I thought, challenge on. I dug in hard and chased hiim down and caught him quite easily. He had obviously forgotton all about me thinking his spurt to overtake me would be enough to get rid of me for good. He then took up the challenge of dropping me and kept accelerating on little hills and bends etc. He even tried the double-bore snot gun trick, but I was not going to let go, and sat on his wheel for abot 8k until we reached Echternach We said our goodbyes and parted ways. Like all cyclists I do enjoy the challenge of overtaking or dropping cyclists even with 2 full pannier bags.
After Echternach I headed west through the Mullerthal woods which were beautiful (a bit like Cheddar Gorge, but perfect road surface and few cars). It was then some back roads and on to Luxembourg City.
Following the advice of The Lonely Planet, and because Luxembourg is very expensive, I decided to stay in the Auberge de Jeunesse (Youth Hostel). Only Dorms were available so I felt like Grandad again. There are 2 things I forgot about Youth Hostels: the first is that there is no soap in the shower: the second being that you dont get a towel. I showered as best as I could and wandered into town still a bit smelly. Luxembourg is a lovely place, The old town was built on a plateau surrounded by gorges. It is now connected with adjacent plateaus with bridges that give wonderful views. (Or as one of my room mates said "Yes, Luxembourg is lovely if you are old because everything is neat and clean" OLD was he calling me OLD!!!
Todays Stats
Distance 78.35k
Riding Time 3:20;31
Average speed 23.4kph
Climb 877m
Total Time 5:07:58
Showing posts with label Vianden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vianden. Show all posts
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Tuesday, 15 June 2010
Day 9 - Stavelot to Vianden
I was thinking at breakfast this morning that I am amazed by how much I can eat. For breakfast I had 6 slices of bread, ham, loads of cheese a boiled egg, orange juice and a whole jug of coffee, and this is about average. And what is more amazing after cycling for about an hour I will be starving again. I`m not sure if this is all down to cycling everyday or whether it`s becauase I`m not using energy drinks. I`m only drinking water from my bottles as I cant wash them, and also dont want to drink energy drinks all day every day. However sugary drinks is what the body wants so I normally have a bottle of coke in my pannier, and as a result (certainly in the flat Flanders days) I would finish the ride with at least one bottle of water completly un touched. Not sure what the solution is.
Still back to the ride. The start of which was very hilly, several climbs of 14 & 16% this was due to following the route of `La Doyenne`. But after about 10k I dropped into a river valley at Vialsalm, and from then on the ride was undulating but quite easy. Once I crossed into Luxembourg the roads got even better and the last 20k to Vianden along side the river Our was beautiful. It was a coolish day, but sunny with another strong tailwind.
Vianden is a touristy town mainly due to the impressive Chateau perched on top of a hill. It is quite classy and not all that expensive. My hotel costs 50Euros a night which includes a buffet breakfast (that will teach them) which is about average for the trip. Gent & Leuven were the most expensive and the cheapest were the most interesting - the Talbot House (museum in Poperinge) and my Botel in Maastrict.
Back to food - For lunch I often just snack on bannans, biscuits and my Coke. The standard evening meal for me is a salad followed by a pasta or pizza (about 15Euros), and a couple of beers (normally a bit cheaper than UK prices). I think the only day I have more than a couple of pints of beer was the Robert Bloody Green day and in that case it was medicinal.
Today Stats
Distance 86.25k
Climb 1246m (hilly)
Riding Time 3.50.25
Average speed 22.4kph
Total Time 4.45.06
Still back to the ride. The start of which was very hilly, several climbs of 14 & 16% this was due to following the route of `La Doyenne`. But after about 10k I dropped into a river valley at Vialsalm, and from then on the ride was undulating but quite easy. Once I crossed into Luxembourg the roads got even better and the last 20k to Vianden along side the river Our was beautiful. It was a coolish day, but sunny with another strong tailwind.
Vianden is a touristy town mainly due to the impressive Chateau perched on top of a hill. It is quite classy and not all that expensive. My hotel costs 50Euros a night which includes a buffet breakfast (that will teach them) which is about average for the trip. Gent & Leuven were the most expensive and the cheapest were the most interesting - the Talbot House (museum in Poperinge) and my Botel in Maastrict.
Back to food - For lunch I often just snack on bannans, biscuits and my Coke. The standard evening meal for me is a salad followed by a pasta or pizza (about 15Euros), and a couple of beers (normally a bit cheaper than UK prices). I think the only day I have more than a couple of pints of beer was the Robert Bloody Green day and in that case it was medicinal.
Today Stats
Distance 86.25k
Climb 1246m (hilly)
Riding Time 3.50.25
Average speed 22.4kph
Total Time 4.45.06
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