Post #9

A Short Shuffle: 09/15/25 

This morning, we woke up to a delightful surprise—no dew! For once, our tents were as dry as a bone, a welcome change for all of us. Craig and Susie, clearly craving a touch of luxury, opted for a hotel for the night, while the rest of us decided to camp. After a cup of coffee and a quick peek at the weather forecast, we felt pretty smug about our chances—maybe a slight drizzle, nothing to ruin our plans. Oh, how the weather has it's own mind.

We set off at a leisurely pace, but within an hour, the sky started gathering some ominous clouds. We layered up like human lasagnas, peeling off and piling on clothes as the weather flip-flopped faster than we could respond. To top it off, the wind joined the party, blowing a steady 18 MPH right in our faces—because who doesn’t love a headwind that feels like it’s trying to blow you back to camp?

After slogging through a 15 mile stretch that felt more like 50, we arrived in the courtyard of a church for a coffee break. The courtyard was a wind-free oasis, and as a bonus, we snacked on fresh apples and pears left in a basket free to the  public. But then, the sky opened up, and the rain came down. It didn’t just rain—it poured, it gushed, it basically tried to drown us. We scrambled for shelter and started googling accomodations within the area. The hotel where Wim and Lydia had stayed a few nights before was fully booked to our surprise.

Eventually, the deluge eased up, and we made our way to the next town, stomachs growling louder than the storm. We found a store called Rewe, where we brainstormed our next move over sandwiches and drinks. In the nearby town of Neunstetten, we booked an Airbnb for the four of us! Wim, our unofficial group chef, declared it was spätzle night, and we grabbed the ingredients before leaving the store. I will give anything a try once. 

Our Airbnb was a cozy sanctuary, keeping us snug and dry as the storm outside decided to crank it up to monsoon levels. Inside, we dove into deep discussions about religion, politics, and life—profound stuff that made us recognize just how much we all have in common. But we didn’t stay serious for long. The night ended with plenty of laughs, a hearty spätzle dinner, and a card game. Who knew a rainy day could turn into such a memorable shuffle?

Crawled 21 miles today

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah

The Forecast-Brrr: 09/16/25

This morning, I checked the weather, hoping for a day bursting with adventure. The forecast promised no rain—hallelujah!—but a chilly high of 58°F and 20 mph winds didn’t exactly make my heart sing. Still, I sprang into action, determined not to repeat yesterday’s endless slog. Wim and Lydia were snug as bugs in their cozy beds, so I left them to their dreams and gave Sarah the rallying cry to “Rise and Shine!”

We bid a temporary farewell to our roommates, knowing we’d reunite at the next campground, and set off on a short but grueling trek across pavement that felt more like a glue trap. Pedaling into that wind felt endless—every turn of the crank a battle. You have to switch your brain to “Keep Moving” mode, or the wind will cackle and claim victory.

I started the ride bundled in four layers of clothes on my upper body, paired with riding shorts and sandals. Surprisingly, this quirky combo kept me toasty while pedaling, but the moment we stopped, the cold sneaked in like an uninvited guest. Along the way, we tackled unexpected climbs and whooped our way down some thrilling descents. But the final push—or rather, walk—up to Rothenburg was no bueno.

Rothenburg, a medieval city perched atop a hill, was the ultimate reward for our short but intense ride. We rolled into town, made a beeline for a bakery, and loaded up on pastries and coffee. Is there anything better than guilt-free pastry binges on a bike trip? I think not. Breaking this habit when we get home, though, might require an intervention.

After satisfying our sweet tooths (teeth? Let’s go with tooths for fun), we wandered through some shops. Mid-stroll, Wim called, wondering where we were—he, Lydia, Craig, and Susie were already at the campground, We made our way over, arriving around noon.

After setting up camp and showering we all trekked back to town to explore. The afternoon was a delight, filled with marveling at ancient city walls, poking our heads into shops brimming with treasures we dared not buy—except for Sarah, who bought a new shirt to help with the chilly days ahead.

Back at camp, we whipped up dinner and played the card game “The Whole Enchilada”—because what’s a camping trip without a little competition? All in all, it was a fantastic day, wind and all, proving once again that the best adventures come with a side of pastry and a sprinkle of laughter.

Rode 20 miles

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah

A Repeat: 09/17/25

The skies were overcast but no rain. But it did rain hard in the night so guess what? Yes the tent was soaked! But the show rolls on.

Today we all road together for a change. That made for a lot of conversation. Along the way we stopped for coffee and picked apples and plums. Along the cycle paths they have planted fruit trees just for the public. 

For lunch we stopped in a beautiful park and enjoyed some German rolls and balsamic vinegar with cheese and apples. The temperature was cold, cold, cold in the low 50's. The ground was still wet from all the rain so I'm sure that was a factor.

We arrived at our campsite in Bad Mergentheim late in the afternoon just in time to do our ritual of setting up, eating dinner and discussing why Sarah and I chose to homeschool our children. It was a good discussion as homeschooling is not allowed in the Netherlands and Wim was seriously inquiring. 

As it was nearing bedtime Lydia stepped into a hole and twister her ankle. At this moment I am not sure about the extent of her injury until she wakes in the morning. Tomorrow may present a twist in the plan.

Rode 32 miles

Keep on rolling

Scott and Sarah 

A Fleeting Moment of Solace: 09/18/25

This morning, we awoke to a glimmer of hope: Lydia, our resilient spirit, rose feeling stronger, though shadows of pain still lingered. Undeterred, she declared her intent to ride, determined to test her limits. What a warrior! The dawn greeted us with sunlight, a rare gift for which we were profoundly grateful, though the heavy dew had left our tents soaked once more.

Our group of six, brimming with anticipation, pedaled out of camp, hearts alight with the promise of a great day. Yet, no sooner had we left the campsite than we scattered, each of us swept up in the rhythm of the road. We reunited intermittently, pausing for cups of coffee and stretches of shared riding.

As we cycled through the rolling countryside, the weather was nothing short of perfect—clear skies and gentle breezes. We paused for a snack beside a graveyard, its stones whispering tales of forgotten lives. There, we spread our damp tents in the sun to dry out. An elderly man approached, his steps slow and deliberate, drawn to the graveyard to commune with his late wife. Wim, ever the conversationalist, engaged him warmly. The man found a bench, sank onto it, and gazed into the distance, lost in memory.

In that quiet moment, Sarah felt a pull, an unspoken call to act. She sat beside him, gently taking his hand in hers. Words were not possible; their shared silence spoke of grief, love, and the fragile thread of human connection. His eyes filled with tears, a quiet testament to the comfort found in that fleeting gesture of compassion. Those are the moments that make slow travel a unique experience.

Later, we discovered a grocery store near our campground and opted for the convenience of its on-site restaurant. I can’t recall the exact dishes we ate, but the meal filled our bellies, sparing us the labor of cooking and fueling us for the night ahead.

By evening, we reunited at the campground in Wurtberg and we were somewhat surprised when Lydia came rolling in defying the day’s challenges. The twilight hours gave us enough time to wash clothes and chart our course for the days ahead. The forecast promises two days of sunshine before a looming storm threatens to halt our journey. We decided to ride hard and far, seizing the good weather while it lasts, ready to seek shelter in a hotel should it really deteriorate.

Rode 35 miles

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah

Heads Down and Pedal: 09/19/25

Today’s plan was to cover some serious miles. The skies were clear, and although we aimed to hit the road early, we didn’t leave until 8:30 a.m. We said our goodbyes to Wim and Lydia, hoping to see them again on Saturday to celebrate Lydia's birthday.

We made excellent time along the route, as we’re now on the descent from the Continental Divide. We took only a few short breaks, riding steadily and snapping very few photos. We arrived at our campsite in Aschaffenburg around 1:30 p.m. and spent the rest of the day relaxing.

Today marked our 11th consecutive day of riding without a break, and as you can imagine, we’re exhausted. With bad weather expected tomorrow, we plan to stay in a hotel for the next two nights to get some well-deserved rest.

Rode 50 miles

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah

Obstacles and Detours: 09/20/25

We rolled out of camp and within the first two miles we ran into a road closure. We hopped onto a single-track trail to reconnect with our route. It's always adventurous when there’s no clear detour posted. Luckily, our trusty GPS saved the day, guiding us around the mess with minimal trouble.

The day was packed with little surprises like that, but mostly it was a great ride through beautiful, almost toasty weather. We pedaled a solid 60 miles, soaking in the scenery. Around midday, we pulled into a cozy café in Frankfurt for a snack—let’s call it a light lunch to sound fancy. The waiter brought us a couple of tiny cortados, which we gratefully sipped thinking they were free samples. Turns out, he’d goofed, but by then I was already licking the foam off my mustache like a coffee connoisseur.

When we settled the bill, the café owner kindly offered 50% off the cortados. As we left, I realized we’d forgotten a water bottle on the table. The owner chased us down, not only returning the bottle but tossing in four stickers promoting his café—one already proudly slapped on the bottle.

We hit a few more minor detours, including a scenic cruise through a forest where Sarah and I stopped to snap a photo for Lydia’s birthday. If you’ve been keeping up with this blog, you know Lydia’s the legend who rode miles with her helmet on backward. We figured it was a moment worth immortalizing.

When we reached Mainz, we faced a bridge accessible only by a steep staircase with a narrow bike channel on the side. Naturally, this nonsense hit us at the tail end of our long ride. Our fully loaded bikes were way too heavy, so we stripped them down to the bare essentials and muscled them up the stairs. Exhausting? Yes. Triumphant? Also yes.

At the hotel, the manager threw a mini tantrum about our bikes, but Sarah, ever the gracious pro, smoothed things over like a diplomat. We stashed our trusty steed

in the garage and called it a win. To cap off the day, we turned our room into a makeshift laundromat, washing clothes in the sink and stringing up a clothesline like the hotel trash we are. Dinner was a delightful Mexican feast, followed by a quick grocery run. Tomorrow? We’re treating ourselves to a glorious day of doing absolutely nothing—bliss!

Rode 60 miles

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah