Day 23 Germany/France/Switzerland, 11/10/2010 Breisach–Vogelgrun–Fessenheim–Kembs–Basel. 44.5miles/71.89km, ride time 4hr04minutes, averaging 10.9mph

For some reason this morning the sun just didn't want to rise. So we laid in a bit later than usual. The plan was to get everything sorted and give the tent some time to dry out as we have booked into a hostel for two nights in Basel.

With everything packed away we headed into Briesach from our camp-site to pick up some bread and a few supplies for the day ahead. We rather prematurely said goodbye to France, as it turns out that today’s route is on a better surface in France. We didn't fancy nearly 50kms of unsealed road in Germany.

We crossed over the Rhein and headed south through several small French villages. Oddly everything was closed, a good job we got supplies in Germany! The cycle routes mostly followed relatively quiet roads and we again made very good progress.

From Kembs onwards the route moved onto a hard packed gravel tow path along a canal. Although good for covering the distance, these routes become a little tiresome. They are almost dead straight and bypass all but the outskirts of the surrounding villages. We continued along this route straight into the outskirts of Basel, where we encountered our first border crossing. Well there were some kiosks and a nothing to declare lane, but no customs officers. Perhaps they were all at lunch!

After getting the hang of the different cycle signing in Switzerland, we made it into the city centre. All we then had to do was find the hostel. This turned out to be easy, although it did involve riding up a short but very steep hill. Not really what you want at the end of a cycling day, but we had been warned about the steep Basel streets.

The hostel is very smart and currently we are the only ones in a four bed mixed dorm. After getting settled in we went to have a stroll around the area and get some dinner. The city looks like it will make for an interesting place to explore tomorrow. We also have to buy some more maps for our route along the Danube.

A nice dinner of Asian food and it was back to the hostel to watch a film and plan for tomorrow. Night all.

Day 22 France/Germany, 10/10/2010 Strasbourg–Eschau–Boofzheim–Diebolshiem– Breisach. 46.7miles/75.37kms, ride time 3hr58mins, averaging 11.7mph/18.9km

The night time temperature has really dropped and we dragged our heels a little getting up this morning. Nevertheless we were back on the road reasonably early on a sunny but chilly morning. Fortunately the local shop was open so we could buy a baguette for lunch and some pastries, as we had rather miscalculated our food rations. Sunday is not the best time to run out of food in continental Europe!

Quickly finding our way out of Strasbourg, we picked up the cycle route which followed the 'Canal du Rhone au Rhin' for almost 30kms dead straight. Apart form the odd climb up where the lock gates were positioned, the route was easy and we made very good time.

At Boofzheim we turned towards the Rhein and following the D468, we made it to Diebolshiem where we planned to cross over into Germany. The route took us past a large hydro electricity generating factory, over the Grand Canal d'Alsace and finally along some national park land before crossing the Rhein.

It was over the last crossing that we had the slightly bizarre encounter of a bar, craft fair, and western costume clad German buskers singing English folk, and country and western songs. Very strange, still it made a nice spot for lunch!

From there on in it was a relatively straight forward ride along the flood embankment, which being gravel rather sapped the strength from our legs.

Briesach itself looks like an interesting town but we have very little time as we are due in Switzerland tomorrow. The camp-site is quite nice, although for the first time in our trip nobody here speaks any English. Oh well we still managed to order a beer!

The night time temperature is very cold again so off to bed soon, until tomorrow auf wiedersein.

Day 21 France, 9/10/2010 Strasbourg. 6.3miles/10.17km, ride time 43mins, averaging 8.8mph.

Not the beautiful day like yesterday that we were hoping for this morning. It is quite overcast with a bit of drizzle in the air.

We took our time this morning and then got ready for the short cycle into the city centre. Our first port of call was the tourist information office situated close to the cathedral, to find out where we could safely leave our bikes. With our bikes duly deposited in a nearby undercover car and cycle park, we headed back into the city to have a look around.

Starting back at the Cathedral we went inside and had a look around. Like most of the cathedrals we have seen it was huge and dark, with some beautiful stained glass windows and a very interesting astronomical clock. Which we were in time to see chime!

The weather outside hadn't improved much, if anything the rain being heavier. Nevertheless we continued on to have a look around Petit France, an area of old, pretty

buildings and canals. From there we walked around to Les Ponts Couverts, a much photographed towered bridge. Which is currently covered in scaffolding, you would have thought they would have finished it in the 100's of years it has been there!

Most of the beauty of the city is in just wandering around and looking at the many narrow streets and pretty buildings. With no sign of the sun coming out and Debbie getting cold we called our tour to an end and headed back to the camp-site.

Strasbourg has been one of the nicer cities we have visited and not a bad way to end our brief visit to France. Will be heading back to Germany tomorrow and our last camp-site before we reach Switzerland.

Day 20 France, 8/10/2010 Plittersdorf–Wintesdorf–Drusenheim–Gambsheim–la Wantzenau–Strasbourg. 40.53miles/65.31km, ride time 3hr43mins, averaging 10.9

Woke up to yet another dry day, if somewhat overcast. We are definitely getting in a routine with the packing up as we were on our way in very good time.

Passing through a couple of small German villages we made our way to the bridge that would take us across the Rhein and into France. The bridge wasn't the most pleasant of introductions to France as there was no cycle path, it was a bit foggy and the cars are travelling very fast. Nevertheless we made it safely and immediately found a signposted route to Strasbourg.

The first part of the route was along a quiet road beside the Rhein, although the river was not visible being behind some quite major flood defences. As the mist began to lift the temperature steadily rose, and we passed through our first French town we saw a temperature sign reading 25°C! We stopped at a near by patisserie and bought some bread and cakes; the staff certainly had a breezier approach than their German counterparts. At risk at being strung up by any Francophiles though, German bread and cake shops are definitely better. Especially the bread!

Continuing on through several more villages, we made good progress along a well signed route. Some of those signs are somewhat small and slightly ill positioned. We didn't crash into each other, but could have quite easily when one of us made a rapid directional change having spotted the sign at the last moment!

The last part of the route took us through more forestry and eventually to the outskirts of Strasbourg. Somewhere along the line we lost the cycle route, but were quickly put on track by possibly a woman with possibly the finest spoken English in Strasbourg. From there on it was a bit of trial and error to find our camp-site, but we made it just in time for the dreaded siesta. Oh well only 30 minutes to wait this time and it was a beautiful day.

We eventually got pitched and settled, did some washing and met our first Brits since leaving. Our first experience in France has been a good one, tomorrow a tour of Strasbourg.

Passed 1000kms today, plus no punctures. Go us!