Our last day of riding. The end has come so suddenly! We have just 31 km to ride today. Today was shortened because we rode further two days ago. This has been such a nice place to stay but Experience Plus! probably won't come here again because the ride here is too long. I'm glad we got to be here though. The breakfasts at this hotel are fabuluous!! As is everything else. I wouldn't mind coming back here some day. We have a late start at 10:00 because of our short ride which we all appreciate.
Frank and Jeannie, Linda and Dave
Philipp, Dave and me
We ride downhill on the Tour de Murg bike path out of Baiersbronn until Forbach. It is an absolutely gorgeous ride through forests along the Murg River. At Forsbach, we become confused by Philipp's arrows at one point. We all gather for extended discussion and someone goes ahead to find the next arrow. It is an up,and down ride through the streets of this town mostly on cobblestones. At one point, we ride down a very steep, uneven cobblestone street which intersects a busy road which we have to cross on a blind curve. Hopefully, they can find a better way next time. From here, we start the climb to the Roe Lache, a beautiful but long climb of 390 meters. The road is rather bumpy and the climb gets tiresome after awhile. Glad to be at the top where there are beautiful views. From there, it is a downhill ride on a bumpy road into Baden-Baden the last kilometers of which are along the famous tree-lined Lichtenthaler Avenue. It is a beautiful day and we pass lovely gardens and hotels. We reach our hotel, the Park-Atlantic, about 1:30. Sadly, we turn in our bikes for the last time. Joan removes our pedals and seats and starts getting the bikes loaded up on the van. He and Philipp will drive them back to the "farm" in Italy, Experience Plus! European headquarters after breakfast tomorrow morning.
We are really hungry so gather on the outdoor patio of the hotel restaurant for lunch. This is a beautiful hotel!! Our rooms are lovely and the staff are gracious and helpful to this rather ragtag looking bunch of cyclists completing their 500 km ride.
We start repacking our bike gear and get cleaned up. We meet at 6:00 in the sitting room of the hotel which has old world charm to it. We have a wine tasting with delicious snacks served by elegantly dressed wait persons. Philipp has made arrangements for us to taste some German Rieslings and Gewurtztraminers that he has had his father-in-law ship from his favorite winery. Joan gives an overview of the new Portugal trip Experience Plus! Will be doing next year. We walk to a restaurant nearby for our last dinner together. Food is good but way too much!! I have the pleasure of sitting next to Philipp for a nice last visit.
Lichtenthaler Avenue in Baden-Baden
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