Day 20 – Sun 29 Jun 14, Colmar to Strasbourg (France)

Forecast: 10-20 deg C, rain and thunderstorms; Listed distance: 73km; Actual distance: 73km; Cumulative distance: 742km; Av speed: 18.5 km/h; Colmar: 16 deg C; Strasbourg: 19 deg C; Start time: 7:55am; Stop time: 12:30pm; Ride time: 3h50m

As we had a little over 70km to do today, we decided that we should get going as soon as we could. We didn't have breakfast as we were still full from the pasta we had last night. After checking-out and paying the bill, it was close to 8am by the time we left, so not quite as early as we would have liked.  We were on a canal path within 3km of leaving the hotel and that is where we stayed all day. The first canal, Colmar Canal is not navigable by boat on the section we rode and is now just used for recreational fishing and as an irrigation channel. The next canal, Rhine Rhone Canal takes boats on the 30 odd km approach to Strasbourg.  It wasn't a picturesque day for scenery by any means but it was peaceful, with the canary like birdsongs coming from the forest most of the way, and pretty spots in plenty of places. Some stretches had huge trees lining both sides of the canal creating a rather darkish tunnel effect. There were hundreds of wild cherry, apple, pear and plum trees with plenty of ripe fruit on the cherry and plum trees. No wonder the birds were singing.

Due to the relatively flat route and a rather handy tail-wind, we were in Strasbourg and booked into the hotel (Best Western Monopole Metropole) by 12:30pm, even with a late breakfast and then a mornos stop.  The average speed of 18.5km/h was achieved without a great deal of effort or sweat.  Luckily our room was ready when we arrived; we have been quite lucky so far with room availability even though we have arrived early. We secured the bikes, took the luggage to the room, unpacked and washed up. Got a city map from reception and headed out to find some lunch. We were both quite ready to eat and the first place we came across was Maccas so that's what we had and it fed the worms nicely.  It was then back to the hotel for a jumper, however we both ended up having a little nap.  

 It was about 3:30pm when we eventually ventured out again.   We wandered to central station and the old quarter - Le Petite France, which included ABC. This one was quite spectacular as it was huge and very hard to photograph.  Strasbourg is a large bustling city with a fairly ancient heart dating back to the 14th century. It has one of the EU Parliaments situated just outside the city. The city centre is completely surrounded by canals so there’s plenty of tourist boats and people to fill them. It has more ABCs than Adelaide and they are huge. 

Greg then continued walking on his own while Wendy went back to the hotel to have a session with the tennis ball.  Her left shoulder is really playing up whilst out on the bike and she needs to get rid of some of the tightness.

Greg only came home after 6pm so we went out for dinner after 7pm.   We decided on Indian, and it was almost as good as the meal we had in Paris in 2006. We did have a very short walk after, and were soon settling down for the night. We have our first 'tough' day tomorrow so need our rest.



Where we are going

Where we have come from

A piggy-tree


Our room


Gare de Strasbourg - Strasbourg Central Station

Covered pedestrian bridge in Strasbourg -  
cyclists must dismount

Strasbourg Cathedral

Strasbourg Cathedral

Strasbourg Cathedral


One of the many unused locks

Our morning tea stop


A tree-lined canal

Gare de Strasbourg - Strasbourg Central Station

Gare de Strasbourg - Strasbourg Central Station

European Parliament, Strasbourg


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