Wednesday, September 12, 2012

DAY 22: THU 13 SEP - WORMS TO BIEBRICH, VIA MAINZ

Ride: 65km; total: 1,002km
Fine, grey skies and cold all day, 7-16deg  

A great breakfast of bacon, eggs, sausage, cold meats and good coffee.  Easy ride out of Worms then a mix of very smooth and very rough gravel paths.  About half way I got a pinch flat, my first for the trip, after hitting a rock.  Changed in a couple of minutes and on we went. 

Had coffee at a lovely bakery / coffee shop with great decor opposite a superb school sports complex with kids running around and playing soccer.

Arrived at Mainz about midday and took a while to find the Info Centre due to wrong and / or poor signage.   Could not find a room under 100euro each per night.  We had intended to have a rest day in Mainz, but moved on.  Eventually found a guesthouse a few kms further on right on the Rhine for 99euro twin for B&B.  Had a wander and a cup of tea then relaxed till dinner.  

Biebrich was first mentioned in historical documents in 874.  King Louis the German and his entourage boarded vessels there on a trip from Frankfurt. At the start of 18th century, the princes of Nassau built the Baroque Biebrich Palace. When this magnificent building was completed in 1744, the Prince of Nassau-Usingen relocated his residence from the far side of the Taunus to Biebrich.  The palace occupies a prominent place beside the Rhine to this day.  Although we weren’t able to look inside the outside is impressive.   

Had lovely crispy duck at the Chinese restaurant next door for dinner.  Was then out having a wander when the temperature dropped suddenly again and drove us to our room.  This cold snap reminds us that the weather in Europe in September can go either way.

Breakfast

The massive Mainz Cathedral

Mainz

18th Century Baroque Biebrich Palace




No comments:

Post a Comment

Closing Comments, Gear list, and Actual Itinerary - European Cycle Tour 2012

I really enjoyed this tour; I was more relaxed and freer of any worries.  My new eating regime has worked a treat, and I've felt like a ...