Stage 4 - Strasbourg to Rastatt - 67km (07-Jun-2019)

 Delighted that the temperature today was not like yesterday. After yesterday’s cold snap (around 10 to 15 degrees), it was a pleasant 15 degrees to start off and the forecast was for 25 to 28 degrees. Getting out of Strasbourg was a breeze and the cycle paths were fantastic. Soon enough we crossed the Rhine and saw our first river cruise boat and crossed the border into Germany.

By now, riding along the Rhine on the east side, the German bike paths were equally as good if not better than what we had experienced in France. A group of elderly cyclists were certainly taking advantage of this.

The view was the same for some kilometres, just the river on the left and fields and forest on the right. Only some riders about, otherwise very quiet and peaceful.

Stopped in a little village called Helmlingen, where we visited the local bakery and bought ourselves the best fruit tarts, which contained the sugar boost badly needed by now.

And can you believe it – there are still cigarette vending machines around ? We hadn’t seen any of them in about 40 or so years !

Saw this wagon with huge balast of hay-balls on top. In the middle of nowhere, and just as we were leaning our bikes against it to take some photos, along comes the farmer with his big tractor and hooks it up and tows it away. What are the chances !?

Couldn't help but take more photos to capture the scenery of deserted bike path eating into the km to Rastatt.

Arrived in Rastatt and saw a couple of storks on top of a tower, setting up their nest. They looked like “the kings of the castle”. Rastatt is a pretty little village, after checking in to our accommodation we went around the town for a walk and to check out some restaurants for tonight. Another beautiful day of riding, it doesn’t get any better than this !