West Germany, Freiburg and first entry into France - Strasbourg

I enjoyed Freiburg so much that I stayed for an extra day, especially now that Summer had presented me with more outdoor venues and the need to treat myself with hot showers, laundry duties and the occasional bakery treat.

Nice to have drinking water along the way in the German villages

Even Germany has bush fires - this one in north Black Forest

Oldest hotel in Germany - circa 1120 AD

I camped in a lovely shaded and clean campsite in the forest - only a short 15 minute ride east from downtown Freiburg, with camper vans and some tents already setup.

Tunnel for bicycles

Freiburg is just west of the Black Forest in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg in south west Germany.

Wonderful to see old German roses in Germany! ...and the perfume is stunning!

With the Black Forest right there on your doorstep you have access to numerous hiking and mountain bike trails.

Freiburg is also one of the university cities of Germany and home for the oldest hotel in Germany predating the founding of the city in 1120. It has a very easy going atmosphere and beautiful old architecture.

Wind power and pedal power

I found an English-speaking cinema not far from the central train station which was wonderful after two months of movie drought for me. I usually see at least one or two every week in Australia.

The Rhine in Strasbourg - Germany on the left while standing on French soil

After a few days rest in leisure time I rode north for Strasbourg and my first time in France. arriving at a youth hostel in Kehl on the German side of the Rhine river.

Looming storm on return from train station - got completely soaked!

It was a very easy day flat ride with enough time for tea and lunch stops with perfect riding weather and a cool westerly breeze.
I rode without the panniers into Strasbourg to note the route to the train station because I was leaving at 6am the next morning and wanted to avoid and unnecessary diversions in the wrong direction.

After booking the ticket for me and the bicycle I wandered around its beautiful historical centre known as the Grande Île which was the first city centre to be classified entirely as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city existed for more than 2,000 years and it has become the home of the official seat of the European Parliament with some formal activity also in Brussels.

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