The European Chronicles 2.0 Der Schwarzwald and Lost in France
The European Chronicles - Chapter 2
Der Schwarzwald and Lost in France
Der Schwarzwald
Time to ride! With every Rok Strap known to man holding down Krisanne's riding gear, Mia (that's her name, at least for now) is packed and ready to go.
The route was built from the ADAC moto map suggestions, as well as what looked "interesting" on MyDrive. A mix of sweepers and goat paths thru the forest, plus a brief stint on the Autobahn to start off, including some "unlimited" sections, because, Germany.
That turned out to be pretty interesting, actually. Although I'm not a big fan of highway miles on a bike, the Autobahn needs to be experienced. There are sections with speed limits, usually 120 or 130 kph (75 and 80 mph), and some sections where it drops down to 100 kph (62 mph), what everyone looks for is the "no limit" sign, the paddle with diagonal grey bars...this one:
On a bike in the States, you get pretty used to being the fastest vehicle on the road, and I'm no stranger to speed. While that may still be true on the twisty bits in Europe, on the Autobahn the big Mercs and Audis rule...and they all seem to be wagons, or estates as they're called here. When the no limit sign appears, everyone, and I mean everyone, puts their foot down...all the traffic picks up en masse (a French preview right there 😉).
During the first no limit stretch, I'm cruising along at a bit over 100 mph, with 160 kph indicated on the TomTom. Making sure all the straps are doing their job. I'm getting passed by virtually everyone; the only vehicles that stay behind me are the ubiquitous white delivery vans. If you slow to 90 mph (145 kph) they pass too. The Merc and Audi estates blow by in the left lane like you're standing still. I settle between 160 and 180 kph in deference to all the tied down luggage, and the highway is behind me in no time - very efficient.
Starting the fun stuff on the B500
They know it too
Goat paths thru the countryside:
Some interesting houses along the way...and I just love all the flower boxes.
Time for some lunch...on the deck, watching an endless stream of bikes go by.
Heading higher...
In Europe, there's always a party at the top. Say hello to Mr. Morgan.
See that building on the right? Just beyond it is a launching site for parasailing; there were a bunch floating around in the sky.
There's also tons of solar on the rooftops of virtually any type of building, old or new. Stefan explained that there are substantial government incentives to install a system, and it actually throws off a profit once it is paid for. In addition to running his operation, he now makes money from it, took about 10 years, if I remember him correctly. Smart.
Mia seems to be enjoying being back in Der Fatherland, perhaps because she can get the special sauce she craves.
That's right, 100 octane at your friendly neighborhood Shell station. The rest seem to do with a measly 95 or 98.
How I wish US banks would adopt the far more intelligent "chip and PIN" technology. Because we are "chip and sign" you can't pay at the pump, you have to go into the store. So far in Germany, all the pumps will dispense first, you pay after, so that's not too bad. In France, however, that turned out not to be the case, you had to go in first to get the pump turned on, then go in again to pay. First world problems, to be sure.
The route:
Lost in France
Today was a day to wander, get lost, see what happens. West of Colmar takes you almost immediately into the Alsace wine region.
And the roads that get you there...yum.
I will say, this is a pretty "lush" wine making area...green rolling hills in contrast to the arid brown you get in most wine appellations. Most likely what makes Alsace wine the unique varietal it is.
In reading about the region, I discovered Route des Cretes, the Route of the Ridges. When I started seeing signs for it, well it seemed like a good idea, no? 😏 According to Wikipedia:
It did not disappoint.
Aaaaaaaaaannnnnnd, lunch.
Millennial photo
Gawd, they'll just let anybody into this place...I'd rather have Mia...
Turn 2...a slightly decreasing radius left hander, be sure to set up on the right and late apex...
Now we're getting some serious Route des Cretes action.
The Party at the Top Dome
I've no idea the exact roads I took...what I should have done (hindsight always being 20/20) was turn on the TomTom tracking option. Duh. Generally, this area:
You can't go wrong on any of the roads. The Spot track looked like this:
Tomorrow is neutral territory - Switzerland!!
Der Schwarzwald and Lost in France
Der Schwarzwald
Time to ride! With every Rok Strap known to man holding down Krisanne's riding gear, Mia (that's her name, at least for now) is packed and ready to go.
The route was built from the ADAC moto map suggestions, as well as what looked "interesting" on MyDrive. A mix of sweepers and goat paths thru the forest, plus a brief stint on the Autobahn to start off, including some "unlimited" sections, because, Germany.
That turned out to be pretty interesting, actually. Although I'm not a big fan of highway miles on a bike, the Autobahn needs to be experienced. There are sections with speed limits, usually 120 or 130 kph (75 and 80 mph), and some sections where it drops down to 100 kph (62 mph), what everyone looks for is the "no limit" sign, the paddle with diagonal grey bars...this one:
On a bike in the States, you get pretty used to being the fastest vehicle on the road, and I'm no stranger to speed. While that may still be true on the twisty bits in Europe, on the Autobahn the big Mercs and Audis rule...and they all seem to be wagons, or estates as they're called here. When the no limit sign appears, everyone, and I mean everyone, puts their foot down...all the traffic picks up en masse (a French preview right there 😉).
During the first no limit stretch, I'm cruising along at a bit over 100 mph, with 160 kph indicated on the TomTom. Making sure all the straps are doing their job. I'm getting passed by virtually everyone; the only vehicles that stay behind me are the ubiquitous white delivery vans. If you slow to 90 mph (145 kph) they pass too. The Merc and Audi estates blow by in the left lane like you're standing still. I settle between 160 and 180 kph in deference to all the tied down luggage, and the highway is behind me in no time - very efficient.
Starting the fun stuff on the B500
They know it too
Goat paths thru the countryside:
Some interesting houses along the way...and I just love all the flower boxes.
Time for some lunch...on the deck, watching an endless stream of bikes go by.
Heading higher...
In Europe, there's always a party at the top. Say hello to Mr. Morgan.
See that building on the right? Just beyond it is a launching site for parasailing; there were a bunch floating around in the sky.
There's also tons of solar on the rooftops of virtually any type of building, old or new. Stefan explained that there are substantial government incentives to install a system, and it actually throws off a profit once it is paid for. In addition to running his operation, he now makes money from it, took about 10 years, if I remember him correctly. Smart.
Mia seems to be enjoying being back in Der Fatherland, perhaps because she can get the special sauce she craves.
That's right, 100 octane at your friendly neighborhood Shell station. The rest seem to do with a measly 95 or 98.
How I wish US banks would adopt the far more intelligent "chip and PIN" technology. Because we are "chip and sign" you can't pay at the pump, you have to go into the store. So far in Germany, all the pumps will dispense first, you pay after, so that's not too bad. In France, however, that turned out not to be the case, you had to go in first to get the pump turned on, then go in again to pay. First world problems, to be sure.
The route:
Lost in France
Today was a day to wander, get lost, see what happens. West of Colmar takes you almost immediately into the Alsace wine region.
And the roads that get you there...yum.
I will say, this is a pretty "lush" wine making area...green rolling hills in contrast to the arid brown you get in most wine appellations. Most likely what makes Alsace wine the unique varietal it is.
In reading about the region, I discovered Route des Cretes, the Route of the Ridges. When I started seeing signs for it, well it seemed like a good idea, no? 😏 According to Wikipedia:
The ridge forms part of the boundary between the Alsace and Lorraine regions of France. In 1871, Alsace was ceded to Germany under the Treaty of Frankfurt, and thus the ridge formed the boundary between France and Germany.
During the First World War, the French military decided to create a road to follow the ridge, thus allowing easier access to the valleys on both sides, enabling the faster movement of French troops.[1] The route was mostly just below the ridge to the west and was thus protected from German gunfire.
It did not disappoint.
Aaaaaaaaaannnnnnd, lunch.
Millennial photo
Gawd, they'll just let anybody into this place...I'd rather have Mia...
Turn 2...a slightly decreasing radius left hander, be sure to set up on the right and late apex...
Now we're getting some serious Route des Cretes action.
The Party at the Top Dome
I've no idea the exact roads I took...what I should have done (hindsight always being 20/20) was turn on the TomTom tracking option. Duh. Generally, this area:
You can't go wrong on any of the roads. The Spot track looked like this:
Tomorrow is neutral territory - Switzerland!!
