Mulheim to Riedlingen Monday May 15th

 It was a great start to the day. I had an excellent German breakfast and put the world to rights with my fellow breakfast guest, Michael, a German motorbiker of about my age. I set off in good spirits. It was dry, far from flat with lots of puddles. The Donauradweg was passing through a fairly narrow limestone gorge which had beaufiful views that just needed some sun to be stunning, but there was little chance of that. 

I had just passed through Beuron and spoken to Pauline in France, when I rounded a corner onto a wooden bridge and for the first time in my adult life I skidded and fell off in a heap. It took me a few seconds to figure that while shaken I wasn't stirred and nothing seemed to hurt. A few minutes later after a few straightening adjustments to the bike I was back on track choosing my lines through the wet path very carefully. As soon as I could I left the path and went on the parallel quiet road for a bit until I regained my confidence.

The plan was to cycle to Sigmaringen by lunch time and if the weather was good camp and explore for the afternoon. I got there just as 120 school kids had arrived and the frau in reception said that she could not deal with me then, perhaps I could go have lunch and come back later. I did go and have a business lunch for 9 euros and by the time I returned the sound of the 120 kids was enough to change my plan to continuing on to Riedlingen a further 33kms. I was just about to leave Sigmaringen when the heavens opened and a huge thunderstorm errupted. Fortunately I was right beside a Lidl so I bought some water and bananas and sheltered till the rain abated. It didn't actually stop but it was bearable.

The second part of the day was wet and flat. There are three problems when cycling - wind, hills and rain. I can deal with any one of them but two or three together is difficult. This was just the one and skin is after all waterproof. The signage on the Donauradweg is nothing short of brilliant. At each point where you could go wrong there is a comforting green bicycle sign. At each juction there are further green signs with distances to nearby places. I haven't opened my guide book once today. The bike signs are better than the road signs. 

The rain eventually stopped as I entered Riedlingen. Two policemen couldn't tell me where the camping was and I genuinely had a poor signal but eventually google maps came through and I am typing this in my tent on a farm campsite. It is basically a large garden with fruit trees dotted around but for 10 euros it is fine. The rain is pelting down. The thunder and lightning which began as soon as I had pitched my tent has disappeared but left the heavy heavy rain which seems set for the night. My neighbours are French, Canadian, German and Irish. A proper international gathering but we are all sheltering in our tents. The rain has finally stopped. I am catching on quickly with essental German. trocken = dry  I wish the weather was a bit more trocken!

Yesterday I forgot to say that I met a team of runners from Budapest who are doing 20km legs through the night all the length of the Danube 3900 kms. Chapeau! They were young and enthusiastic but if they succeed it is seriously impressive for Recreational runners who understand what this means. Good luck. 

distance cycled so far:    278kms