Today was full of picture-postcard landscapes: lush green valleys and high mountain passes; neatly kept farmhouses, their wooden balconies overflowing with pink petunias and red geraniums; snow-capped Alpine peaks reflected in the clear blue waters of cold mountain lakes. The Allgäu is a stunning region in southern Germany that almost never feels overcrowded, even during tourist season. Our journey would take us from Neuschwanstein through the Allgäu to the island town of Lindau on the shores of Lace Constance, also known as Obersee. The field notes tell us that this lake is bordered by three countries: Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The lake is not actually a lake but a vast swelling of the Rhine in a gorge carved out by a massive glacier during the last ice age. As a summer playground for many locals, the area around the lake happens to be one of the mildest in the country thanks to the warming effect of the water, which absorbs all its heat in the summer and releases it in winter. The climate is ideal for growing fruit such as apples, peaches and strawberries. It promised to be a cracking good ride.
The view from our hotel window in Neuschwanstein…
A new day another beautiful ride ahead. The bikes are ready…
The vans are ready…
Scotty is ready…
Sara, Ross, Bev, Megan, Tony and John are ready…
Dean, Chris, Konrad, Pete, Megan, Paul and Adam are ready…
But I had a day in the van with Sarah, Peter and Megan, who joined us after lunch. We spent our day trying to keep ahead of the riders and be ready at morning tea and lunch before heading onto Lindau to unpack the gear and organise our accomodation. It was a great experience to see all the backup work that goes into organising each day.
The vans could not always follow the same route as the riders because of bike paths or low bridges, so we spent time on the autobahns…
on beautiful quiet country roads driving through quaint villages…
and through some amazing scenery…
Deano at Morning Tea…
Some of Tony’s beautiful photos from the day…
We arrived in the old city of Lindau at about 2pm only about 30 minutes in fort of the first riders! Check out the age of that building…
They were pretty hot and bothered especially after one particularly taxing climb on which Damo said his temp gauge registered over 40C.
Paul and Chris trying to cool down…
Adam and Megan…
Paul probably checking how hot it was?
Ross stretching to avoid cramps…
Even the locals were feeling the heat…
Lindau is a beautiful old city built on an island on the shores of Lake Constance. Many of the buildings including our hotel are very old dating from the 14th and 15th Centuries (The floors in our room are on a serious angle and the beds have been remodelled to keep them level) However, it was first mentioned in 822 by a monk, and ruins of a 1st Century Roman settlement have even been found. Moreover, it was an Imperial Free City under the Holy Roman Empire, which meant it had some autonomy . In 1655, after the Thirty Years’ War, the first Lindauer Kinderfest(children’s festival) was held, in memory of the war. This festival introduced by Lindau councillor Valentin Heider makes up an important part of the town’s identity nowadays, too. (see tomorrow’s post for more on that!)
Pete was very happy with his room even with wonky floors… that just made it more awesome!
The view from our window…
Megan, John, Bev, Tony and Megan off to see the opera…they had an amazing time.
Although it was a stinking hot day, the crew had a fantastic ride and we certainly made the most of our evening by visiting one of the best restaurants in town. Opinions were divided, but the meals were sourced from local produce and were made to the highest quality.
Our beautiful steeds can have a couple of days break whilst Konrad gives them all the once over ready for the final push to Colmar…
