A rerun of our 2012 ride from Hook of Holland to Fulda. We set off on Saturday 21st June arriving in Fulda on Sunday 29th June. A slightly different route to fit our accomodation planned using Google maps and cycling maps we had from our 2012 ride. By happy coincidence our arrival in Fulda coincided with their annual walking and cycling pilgrimage.
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Sadly David was not able to join us due to ill health, and Maria joined us in his place.
We departed Rownhams 21/6 to catch the overnight ferry Harwich to Hook of Holland with a smooth crossing.
Day 1 – Hook of Holland to Utrecht 57.5 miles
We were fourth to passport control, parked up and bikes loaded and on the road by 9:30 am. Using Google and printed maps we progressed well with the moderate tail wind to Delft and then to the east of Zootameer
Maria then took the train and we then progressed well to Utrecht arriving just before 5
Day 2 – Utrecht to Elten 53 miles
We were blessed with a moderate tail wind which helped us in another 50+ minutes mile day. Just a few spots of rain, Maria took the train to Ede where we met up.
At Arnhem we crossed the Rhine to enter Germany just before Elten
Day 3 Elten to Dorsten – 48 miles
A cloudy start with some drissle mid morning and sections of tail wind. At Emmerich Maria caught the train and we joined up again at Merhoog with a convenient bakery for lunch.
Then an afternoon cycling through gently undulating farmland to our destination east of Dorsten.
Day 4 Dorsten to Werl – 47 miles
We were away by 9 for a 10 mile ride to Haltern am See, through fields of asparagus and soft fruit. Maria then caught the train with a change to Bork. Due to delays we thought she would miss the connection but answered prayer delayed the other train to.
Very hot day with a Lidl stop for lunch bits and more liquid. Google maps picked up some very good cycle routes through towns like Werne. Then lanes through open farmland to our overnight north of Werl.
We are staying at Lindenschanke. They have many stay who are on pilgrimage on routes that pass through here. They also have cold beers in the fridge for 3 euros, so 4 were quickly consumed!
Day 5 Werl to Olsberg – 48 miles
A challenging day with hills and in the afternoon thunderstorms. We travelled to the west of Werl then over a ridge to join the Ruhr cycle path to Arnsberg where Maria caught the train.
Shortly after the heavens opened to give us a very good soaking. Soon the sun came out and we continued up the valley. We missed a closure sign on the cycle path so had to retrace our ‘steps’. We met Maria at Bigge and were grateful she had the food purchased for our self catering just up the Winterburg valley.
Day 6 Olsberg to Schönstadt – 44 miles
A challenging day. We all cycled up the Winterburg valley to Siedlinghausen where Maria took the train to Winterburg. Time for a late breakfast stop at a bakery.
from Winterburg a fast downhill to Hallenburg on a cycle track.
then a number of forest track sections over ‘bumpy’ to get us to our overnight in beautiful Bavarian village of Sconstadt. Self catering tonight.
Day 7 – Schönstadt to Lauterbach – 41 miles
very hot day for a cycle over undulating country. Lovely Bavarian villages and farmland.
maria caught the train at Alsfeld and we arrived at 4:30pm to meet her.at hotel Libers in Lauterbach.
Day 8 – Lauterbach to Fulda – 16 miles
A final miles on the R2 cycle route took us to Fulda. Our arrival coincided with their annual family pilgrimage and we were treated to a memorable afternoon of shared food and fellowship.
at 1pm we processed to the cathedral for a service and afterwards ice cream and cake.
A memorable end to our pilgrimage.
Monday 30/6
A day in Fulda looking at the ‘sights’. Many linked to Boniface. Luckily our hotel has aircon so we were able to sleep well and rest during the extreme heat of the day.
Tuesday 1/7
Our return travel was on 3 trains. Fulda – Frankfurt – Utrecht – Den Haag. Booked bike spaces