Day Four

Night in the Brickhouse hostel was ideal, with lashings of talc and germaline for Harvey! The pin board showed where visitors were from, stuck a fresh pin in Cumbria before we left.

Ulm has the highest church spire in the world apparently. Another place we would loved to have looked around, but we need to crack on after the short day yesterday. The sun is out.

Moving through forests towards Bavaria, nice to be in the shade. Passing more cyclists now, non as fast as us though, obviously.

First stop of the day, deep in forest still, but right next to the widening river. Peaceful.

Lunch stop, 50km, hungry all the time.

Riding into the evening, passing our first 100km, Harvey taking the high road.

Flora, stylish, riding in the shade.

Right until sunset, heading for a promised campsite in Neuburg, 135km is our hardest and longest day so far. The last 30km were even hillier than the first two days, dead legs.

Day Three, Chamois Cream

 Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dine like a pauper...

Birds of prey line the skies, any keen twitchers recognise this?

Rattling through the forest still, energy sapping gravel paths, trying to keep the average speed up...

 

Sweet castle.

We only made 70km today, it was stonkingly hot and the rigours of damp long days in the saddle were taking there toll, namely on Harvey's most intimate of areas. Ulm, home of  Einstein, was the nights destination...

Day Two

Last night we were keen to crack on from the source to make up lost time, it was already late and light was going quickly. As we were turned away from another guest house, the rain set in and we committed to camp. It was pitch black and pissing down when we finally crawled in, the whole thing 'reeked of inexperience'!

No German farmers came knocking and hot chocolate in the morning was ideal -

The rain was back, well it hadn't really left! 'Scheisse wetter' as this nice bakery lady pointed out. Pastries in Germany are massive, excellent.

We didn't really pack for heavy rain. Could be a problem as we can't really be waiting for it to pass.

Don't leave your Camera with mates expensive lens on a picnic bench 4km back. Luckily a nice Frau was guarding it with her bear like dog!

This first section is very 'undulating', the hills are hard with one gear, leg sapping... Felt like middle of nowhere.

The route moved out from the high limestone gorge and the clouds parted! Crops everywhere, especially corn on the cob.

Campsite found in Reidlingen- wheat beer on arrival, hot showers, mosquitoes. We did 99km today, knackered.

Day One, The Source

Finally off!

Problem free arrival in Donaueschingen, and a moment to ponder at the bubbling source of river we would follow for the next 5 weeks.

A ceremonial dip, or full dunking for Harvey, of the right foot - left foot is heading for the Black Sea.

Let us now if you have a blackboard message and we'll get you a photo!

Day Zero, a day lost

Take 1 - Cauchemar

Imagine if after frantic rushing, last minute planning and good luck wishes we found ourselves on the platform at Lille loaded up and ready to embark on our 3000km trip, we were told there would be no room on our pre-booked 7 hour train to Donaueschingen. Well, exactly that happened. Merde...

Take 2 - A blessing in disguise.

After dusting ourselves down, eating the hastily purchased baguettes (thanks Bim and Kirsten) and slowly walking the horrendously burdened pack horse bikes back to the flat it very quickly became apparent that what was at first a nightmarish start was in fact a blessing in disguise. With the day spent re-packing the bursting panniers, 3.5kg was cut, including 500g of  Luke’s hair courtesy of Harvey Sassoon in his new Lille Salon and unorthodox yet instinctive methods.

The next day we were riding to the station, in plenty of time and a whole lot more relaxed and prepared, but 100km behind schedule...

Preparation

New tyres courtesy of Arragons Cycles, Penrith! They've hooked us up with various items - thanks guys. Schwable Marathon plus 28mm's now grace all our dodgy old bicycles! They look pretty solid, those sponsoring per puncture will be pleased to hear.

 

Graphics from our sponsors... these are getting stuck on anything that moves once we're on our way!

 

 After 16 mozzy bites in one night Harvey tests out the peizo electric bite zapper...

We've still loads to get ready before the 11 o'clock train tomorrow, thanks for the good luck messages and continued donations, the £1000 target has been smashed already, crackin' effort!

...Make that 19 bites!

T minus 24hrs...

Flora and Harvey got to Lille yesterday, with a load of stuff!

Aaaand... unpack!

He who travels light travels happy...

Thankyou Gordon Cooke, for providing the bulk of our camping gear, we'd be stuck without you.

Harvey and his tireless charity work...

Luke also finished work today after saving his holidays up for ages, feels good!