Day 18 – Fri 27 Jun 14, Basel (Switzerland) to Mulhouse (France)

Forecast: 14-27 deg C, mostly sunny; Listed Distance: 38km; Actual distance: 39km; Cumulative distance: 608km; Av speed: 15.7km/h; Basel: 16 deg C; Mulhouse: 30 deg C; Start time: 8am; Stop time: 11am; Ride time: 2h27m.

Although we didn't have far to go, only 38km today,  Greg knew there would be quite a few road works happening so thought it would be best to leave earlier to beat the peak hour traffic.  So after probably our last self-cooked meal for a while, we were on the road by 0800.  A 2.7km ride saw us out of Switzerland (for good this trip) and into France via an unmanned border post.  This was also the last time we saw Germany, albeit from across the Rhine. We'll miss the German/Swiss efficiency but we won't miss the Swiss cost of living or the need to juggle two currencies.  Greg read somewhere that one in eight Swiss is a millionaire and we both reckon they need every franc to be able to afford to live in this country.   From here on in its Euro all the way to Amsterdam. We'll also miss our little apartment in Basel where we enjoyed some nice home cooked meals for a change. 

Apart from the first 5km, the day was spent riding along the top of the banks of canals. We saw some very smart looking canal houseboats which would fit nicely on our river bank of the Hippo Farm. About 10km of the trip was on smooth gravel the rest on good bitumen. We also had a tailwind (most unusual) for most of the morning so it was a real bludge.

Despite stopping a number of times, we still made it to Mulhouse by 11am, found the hotel (Inter Hotel Salvator) and even though we were so early, we were given a room - number 310.  The same check-in lady from when Greg and Graham stayed here in 2012 was there complete with the same little mop-head dog! After securing the bikes in a bike cage within a secured car park, we unpacked our stuff and had lunch in the room.  It was then time for a nana nap before heading out for a wander. 
We came home before dinner and updated blogs etc.  After wandering about for 45 minutes to really sharpen the appetite, we eventually decided on the Chinese restaurant about 40m up the road from the hotel! We had a buffet menu each and probably ate far more than we needed, however it was nice.  We then had to have another walk to settle the tummy.




A fountain with Mulhouse Cathedral in background

The Iron Man

Greg trying to be an Iron Man


The path into Mulhouse


The view from our room

Mulhouse Cathedral

An interesting street sculpture

Entering France

Veggies in the street

Some very smart looking canal boats

The path into Mulhouse


Old Town Hall


New Town Hall

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