A rerun of our 2012 ride from Hook of Holland to Fulda. We are setting off on Saturday 21st June to arrive 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 coincides with their annual walking and cycling pilgrimage.

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14/6 update – sadly David is not able to join us for the ride due to ill health. We are pleased Maria is able to join 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 – Hoek of Holland to Utrecht 57.5 miles

We were fourth to passport to 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 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

Day 7 – Schönstadt to Lauterbach

Day 8 – Lauterbach to Fulda