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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Over the past several days as we’ve pedaled east, we’ve seen increasing German influence in the place names, signage and architecture.<span> </span>In Orbey was the first “zimmer” sign.<span> </span>Today there were plenty of German-style buildings along the route and particularly with all the flowers, we found it pleasant indeed.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Alsace has been a very friendly place.<span> </span>First, as we had stopped along D468, a farmer in a tractor stopped to help us since we were looking at a map.<span> </span>He suggested the cycling path along the Canal du Rhône au Rhin, which we then used for some ten miles or so.<span> </span>He also gave us a bag full of some sweet small fruits (maybe a type of plum).<span> </span>He said that his son is in Boston playing basketball, we think for the NBA.<span> </span>Very nice chat.<span> </span>We met this tractor driver just south of Diebolsheim.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Second, again when looking at a map trying to find the Etap, a bicycle rider stopped to help, and then led us out of his way to show us how to find it.<span> </span>A third very friendly and helpful person was the fellow working at the hotel who checked us in and answered some questions.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Today’s ride was very flat and easy along excellent roads.<span> </span>A number of the villages were very colorful and sweet.<span> </span>We saw quite a few cycling tourists like us, likely attracted by the canal.<span> </span>Speaking of the canal, it was great to ride along and very pleasant with zero cars, but it would become very boring to ride on it for too long a time.<span> </span>The canal path, with a few minor exceptions, was well paved.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">We passed from the Haut-Rhin Department to the Basa-Rhin Department, both of which are in the Alsace Region.</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Route:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">D4 East from hotel to Centre-ville</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Unnumbered road north to</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">D3 East to Jebsheim</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">D9/D208/D10/D468 </span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Northeast through Marckolsheim, Artolsheim and Diebolsheim to Friesenheim</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">D203 West to</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Canal du Rhône au Rhin North to D222 at Plobsheim</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">D222 North to</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial;">N83 South to hotel</span>
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My wife and I have been doing self-supported tours in Western Europe (a majority in France) since 1993. This series of rides covers our 2009 4.5 month route through parts of France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and then back to France. Our beginning and ending point is near Chadurie (south of Angouleme) where our friends have a farm with Gites and Chambres d'Hotes.
We rode our Dawes touring bicycles purchased in 1993 heavily loaded with 700Cx32 tires. All of our riding was on paved roads, mostly with very little traffic. Pretty much the only unpaved sections were some bicycle paths in Germany and Austria. Sadly, that wasn't so great as Helen fell a number of times on the unpaved paths. Fortunately, though, no serious injury.
If any questions, feel free to email me at jeffkadet@netdiving.com
Jeff
