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The Grand Adventure
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The Grand Adventure

A bike trip with no end Les mer
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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Generally a cloudy day but nice reflections
    Generally a cloudy day but nice reflectionsVery festive lookingChurch from our campsite

    Into Bavaria

    27. juli, Tyskland ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Get caught in a morning rain shower. Fortunately we were mostly packed up. Waited it out and then continued along our route. Nice tailwind had us speeding along. Arrive in pretty town of Donauworth. Find the Kanu club and set up amongst the other cyclists. Nice views from our campsite.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Morning rower on the Danube
    Morning rower on the DanubeTown HallLibraryCaught a morning jazz concertNew synagogueLots of scaffoldingThey do have fancy clocks hereFortressStill seem to use parts of it for military purposesBabbling canal

    Exploring Ulm

    26. juli, Tyskland ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Opt to spend our Sunday wandering around Ulm. Short walk along Danube into old town. Beautiful cathedral with highest spire in the world! Keep meandering m, eventually going up to the fort. Quite intact. A big music festival is on within the walls. Head back down and walk through a large park (somehow missed botanical gardens). Take a break back at camp, finally putting feet in cool Danube. Out for very good pizza dinner.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    View from campground
    View from campgroundSchloss towering over the townGoose buttMost towns have churchesStorks are a thingRolling fields of wheatLunch spotDanube has gotten bigger

    To Ulm

    25. juli, Tyskland ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Opt to do a long day today. Mostly flat route and we actually have a tail wind for most of the way. Stick to the Danube route (EV6) which is longer but safer and more scenic. Quite a bit hotter than previous days. Arrive in Ulm and find canoe club where we can camp. Set up, shop and make dinner.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Our free campsite
    Our free campsiteOur pathwayBeautiful rock formationsThey like to put big castles on the hilltopsStopped to check out an abbeyThe gravel wasn't too badMuseum of carriagesSchloss entrance

    The Upper Danube Valley

    24. juli, Tyskland ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    A lovely day of cycling. On trails, paved and not, through forests and amongst cliffs. Some steep climbs but they are short. Arrive in Sigmaringen hot and hungry. Have gelato for a late lunch. Decide to be done and check into campground. Squish in amongst the other tents. Go explore the town. Beautiful Schloss (castle).Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Lovely pathThe Danube

    UP to the Origins of the Danube

    23. juli, Tyskland ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Manage to get an early start, amazingly. Day status a bit cool but quickly warms up. Follow cycle route signs through neighborhoods and into small towns. Stop for pastries, bread and lunch food and head up our major climb. Not as bad as some we have done recently yet pretty long. Stop for lunch and then cross the dry Danube River bed (summer state). Arrive in Tuttlingen and decide to be done. Set up in a free site within the city park. Walk to get groceries, make dinner. ( a day of few pictures for some odd reason).Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Amongst our fellow cyclists
    Amongst our fellow cyclistsVery decorativeFields of powerSunflowers meet grapesNice church in little townLunch spot on Swiss side of bridgeRhine FallsTop of the fallsSo many choicesSwiss townView from our campsite

    Lake Constance

    21. juli, Tyskland ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Spend the day, again, crossing between Germany and Switzerland. Though the Rhine is a dividing blind, Switzerland occasionally juts into Germany. Admire the beautiful Rhine Falls and continue along the myriad of trails to Wangen. Campground reception is closed but set up anyway amongst the other cyclists.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Bridge spanning RhineBaselGerman sunflowersSwitzerland on the other sideBirds seem to like pointy landing spotsChurch in town squareOld covered wooden bridge to SwitzerlandOne of many ways to get power

    A 3 country day

    20. juli, Tyskland ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Nice leisurely ride along the canal path with many other cyclists. Make a final stop in France for pastries before crossing seamlessly into Basel (Switzerland). Admire the Rhine River from our brunch spot. So many bike paths! Meander between Switzerland and Germany, finally ending in Waldshut in Germany. Set up amongst many other cyclists. Have a duo in the Rhine before dinner. Quite lovely water.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Pretty chateau in town
    Pretty chateau in townEinsisheimBeautiful central squareBird has a nice nestWouldn't mind living there.HmmmmThat is Germany in the distance

    On to the EV6

    19. juli, Frankrike ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Though it rained during the night, we stayed nice and dry in our bed. Waited out the morning rain, chatting and having some breakfast. Packed up and down the hill we went. Found our way to a series of cycle routes. Stopped for a moment in pretty town of Einsishiem. Road on cycle paths through fields of corn, in forests, and along the canal. Short day ending in Krems. Set up and chilled by the pool. Hearing a lot of German as we are just along the border.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    France knows breads
    France knows breadsUp we goVery nice quiet route upThe plateau1This is 6 miles from race courseAwaiting their 1st arrivalSkies are getting ominousRainbow

    TDF Day 2: Le Markstein

    18. juli, Frankrike ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    A short day to get to Le Markstein and the finish line for TDF. Twenty miles but it’s all up (3000+ feet). Fuel up with pastries and yogurt and join the other cyclists going to the same place. Gradual climb through small towns gives way to one monster climb. We slowly plod up but we get there. Last 6 miles are along a ridge with beautiful views. Cars and campers parked for miles. Quite the madhouse at the top. Park our bikes and find a spot to watch their first pass. Wander around a bit and then the skies open. Seek refuge under a truck. Finally stops and find a different spot to watch the ending. Quite exciting. Book out and head down a different hill to Guebwiller. Another up to our warmshowers hosts. Have a lovely evening with JeanLuc and Claire and another cyclist, Adam.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Early morning riders
    Early morning ridersSo many caravans!What does one need to do to get in thereSign being raised1We saw him go upSo many small children going up and down this huge hill1Our little spotCaravan beginsWe were right past thisLove their colorTime for a little chatRace leader

    TDF festivities: day 1

    17. juli, Frankrike ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    All manner of vehicles continue to stream up the hill all morning. Have a snack and start up the rest of the climb. Much easier without packs! Quite chaotic at the top with people everywhere. Campervans are parked as far as one can see. Return to our spot and spend the afternoon watching and waiting. Caravan passes first and then the racers. We had great views of them as they raced past. After they all were past, we zipped down the hill (with many other cyclists). We had identified a campground but had to get there before the reception closed. Managed to do so. Set up, shower, and walk to town (Corinmont) for dinner. Nicer restaurant is full but have fine burgers at a “fast food” restaurant.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Water all around
    Water all aroundAnd cornWe have arrivedWe follow himUp we goDinner on the route

    Onto the Ballon D’Alsace

    16. juli, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C

    Slowly meander out of Epinal, making a few stops to pick up needed items. The goal for today is to position ourselves on one of the climbs of the Tour de France. Pretty flat path to the town of Le Thillot where we see the first signs of TDF. Get food and continue to the base of the climb. Quite busy with cyclists all around. Start UP! Go about halfway and find a decent spot amongst campervans. Make dinner and watch the scene unfold.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    Along the canal to Epinal

    15. juli, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    With our late evening, a late start was inevitable. Got ourselves easily out of Nancy along a cycleway that led to another canal route. Wind was either nonexistent or behind us - a pleasant change. Cycle path was quite busy with other cyclists. A fairly short day (< 40 miles) and we are in Epinal. Get some food before heading up to campground full of cyclists.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    One of many churches
    One of many churchesFun wall artAnother churchBeautiful altarPlace StanislasCrazy gatesPlace de la CarrierePorte de la Craffe. Restored gatePistacchio flan and eclairSecond dessertFanfest

    Bastille Day in Nancy

    14. juli, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

    Also Doug’s birthday. After a late start, wind our way through quiet streets of Nancy. City seems a bit deserted. Stanislaus seems to be the founder and his presence and name is everywhere. Check out main squares and parks. Stop for birthday pastries. Head back to studio to watch Tour de France. Shower. Out for a nice meal. Position ourselves outside Fanfest to watch World Cup game but people stand in front. Opt to leave. Wander towards fireworks. Great display.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    So hot no roof needed
    So hot no roof neededGuess it's often windyFields and fields!A return to the canalToul is a walled city13th century cathedralNice place for lunchHotel de ville

    To Nancy

    13. juli, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C

    A different type of riding today. Off of the canal paths (mostly) and on roads or paths parallel to big freeway. Lots of undulating and the wind is again against us. But the sunflowers are beautiful! Finally get lunch in Toul and sit by nice cathedral. Day has gotten hotter as we finish our ride into the city of Nancy. Check in to tiny AirBnB. Walk to grocery store and pick up nice premade dinner.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    So much cycling infrastructure
    So much cycling infrastructureGot to love the sunflowersSomeone around here invented something relating to bikesTown square Ban le DucAnother synagogueAlong the canalChurch in Ligny

    Ligny en Barrios

    12. juli, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Head out of our campground and ride along a dry canal bed. Great (and busy) cycle route. Go through the city of Saint Duziey and head north and up. Wind is pretty fierce and not in our favor. Have a few long ups and then cruise into Bar le Duc. Very pretty to little town and very quiet for a Sunday. Have some lunch and then finish ride along canal. Arrive at campground but can’t seem to pay with our US phone numbers. Set up anyway. Nice little campground near town of Ligny en Barrios.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Along canal to Epernay
    Along canal to EpernayLovely churchBeautiful light coming in1Nice gargoylesFront of Hotel de VilleFront of chateau/museumAlong Rue de ChampagneBeautiful parlour in chateau/museumSuch ornate decorationsChampagne cavesSynagogueHotel de ville

    A day in Epernay

    10. juli, Frankrike ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Staying in place today so I’m no rush this morning. After breakfast , walk along the path into city of Epernay. Check on the cathedral before walking along the Rue de Champagne. Stop in tourist information and wind up getting a champagne tasting. Head to Chateau/ museum for a very informative visit about champagne making, history of region and chateau itself. Very hot out - stop for a cool drink. Relax in a park while a band warms up for tonight. Walk back to campsite stopping for food. Good day of being a tourist.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Every town has a hotel de ville
    Every town has a hotel de villeThe MarneLe ChampagneSo many grapesVery steep hillsidesJust a village churchLots of boats go along riverFun bike pathAlmost seems like 2 trees

    When in Champagne …

    9. juli, Frankrike ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Quick ride down the hill to small town for coffee and breakfast. Almost immediately find ourselves in the Champagne region. Grapes are abundant and vineyards and wine cellars everywhere. Continue along undulating road until we return to the Marne. Joins the V52 cycle path which goes along the Marne. As it is quite toasty stop for a dip in the river. Finish off our ride, ending in Epernay. Check in to municipal campground and then ride the path to the store. Back for a shower and then dinner. So many cyclists!!Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Meaux on the Marne1First French pastries

    A rough first day

    8. juli, Frankrike ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Feel somewhat rested after relatively short flight. Quickly get through passport control with my German passport and by the time Doug gets through our boxes are waiting for us. Find an outdoor spot to assemble ourselves. Manage to get out by 1:00 and eventually get out of airport. It is toasty out but not humid. See fellow cyclists almost immediately. Stop in Meaux for pastries and opt to keep going. Route becomes a gravelly path and someone opts to get on a hiking trail. Bad move. Finally pop back out but have lost a lot of time. Pick up food and finish ride up to campground. Shower, food and finally sleep.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    Indonesia: Komodo Park
    Indonesia: Komodo ParkIndonesia: Komodo ParkSingaporeSingaporeMalaysia: Elephant bathingMalaysia: BuddhaMalaysia: Langkawi IslandThailand: Monkeys in Sam Roi NPThailand: SukhothaiThailand: Wat Rhon KuhnLaos: Along MekongLaos: Luang ProbangLaos: RockpointVietnam: rice drying in the sunVietnam: Pu Luong1South Korea: SeoulSouth Korea: SeoulVietnam: HueVietnam: Hoi AnSri Lanka: Horton's PlainsSri Lanka: MarissaCambodia: Angkor WatCambodia: Angkor WatCambodia Angkor WatHong Kong Skyline

    Year 3 recap: part 1

    1. juli, Forente stater ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C

    It seems somewhat fitting that we would be ending Year 3 of this “Grand Adventure” in State College, Pa; my home for most of 4 years. We also passed through here 33 years ago on our first cross country cycle tour. Being in familiar territory, amongst friends is not how we spent most of Year 3. Rather, we experienced the joys and challenges of being a foreigner in foreign lands. Southeasts Asia was where we spent most of this past year. We rode through the sweltering jungles, alongside ancient temples, and dodged inquisitive monkeys. Communication was challenging and we attracted quite a bit of attention; being white and travelling in such an odd way. Though we had intended to continue westward, returning to Europe via Greece - the world had other plans for us. The Middle East “Operation” stood in our way and we could not maneuver around it in any safe way. Thus we were forced to make a U-turn back to Portland where we began an eastward trek across the USA.
    This past year we travelled through 11 countries, cycling in all but 3 of them. We vacationed with the girls in Sri Lanka, exploring the island via Tuktuk. And we concluded the year riding across the USA; taking a more mountainous route than our 1993 journey. What’s next? We are returning to Europe; crossing an ocean for the last time ( at least as part of this adventure). Doug claims we have to hit 50 countries before we can stop: yet we shall see what the world has in store for us.    Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg
    1

    Penn State ❤️

    30. juni, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Pack up, but leave our bikes and gear as we set off to explore PSU. Walk through the arboretum and other wooded areas I had never been before. Pop out by the stadium and east halls. Walk along the stadium and spot the All sports museum. Get out of the heat and check it out. Get a view into the stadium as well. Head to the Creamery. Continue walking amongst very familiar (and unfamiliar) buildings. So much has changed! Grab our bikes, take some photos and ride to AirBnB where Christine and John await. Get some groceries, drink some beer and catch up.Les mer

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  • Helene RimbergThe Grand AdventureHelene Rimberg

    State College here we come

    29. juni, Forente stater ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Sleep in and take our time getting ready. Only 44 miles to go to State College and we have 2 days to do it in. The lure of getting there proves powerful. Hills aren’t bad and it’s not too hot. Decide to keep going. Cruise along fields of corn. Fortunately we are able to find a warmshowers host on such short notice. Arrive in State College! Pull up to Alexa’s house just as she is getting home. Enjoy a nice dinner and chat and then go for a walk on PSU campus. Feels like being home!Les mer

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