Germany Is Growing On Us

This morning we left behind the nondescript town of Riesa and continued our pancake-flat ride following the Elbe. The was a stiff 20 mph wind from the right but it wasn't troublesome and the miles ticked off. We could have been in the Delta.

Then we came into an absolute gem of a town, Torgau. Torgau has a beautiful castle with the first Protestant church in Germany consecrated by the man himself, Martin Luther, in 1544. Torgau is also the place were US and Soviet forces first met during WWII. We spent several hours in Torgau and could have stayed longer. Truly a beautiful town without hordes of tourists. Keep the secret to yourself.

After Torgau the riding got more interesting. We passed through mixed woodland and farmland in gentle hills. Then we crossed over the river by ferry and came upon a very nice pension. The rooms were taken but we were offered a beautiful spot to camp on a lawn area next to the clay tennis courts. We soon learned that one of the owner's daughters played tennis for the Dons at USF.

Saxony was weird to the end. Leaving Saxony we saw the Canadian flag and the Stars and Bars flying side-by-side on someone's property. I can't imagine there is a rational explanation. Photo 5.

The castle, which was built on a hill, has a moat. Bears were put in the moat instead of water. Photo 4. The bike trail along the Elbe has covered picnic tables that are a good place to stop for a break. Photo 6.Read more