Saturday, August 18, 2018 - Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany

Today started early with a great breakfast at my hotel. My bicycle was still in the hotel garage where I left it. I loaded it and began my hoped to be 60 kilometer 5 hour journey.

It started as a very pretty ride through the green parts of the city. I did have some slight difficulty getting out of the city as I was met by more than one detour for road construction. I do not think it cost me more than 500 meters and about 10 minutes. This is not bad, just ask James about getting out of cities last year.

 I was following the Pegnitz river to its closest point with the Main-Donau Canal. Along the way there was a scenic "Wasserrad" or water wheel. It was on a dead end but was only 100 meters off the bike path.

 As i got out into the open I was met by a dreaded head wind. It was a major reason my 5 hour trip  turned into a 7 & 1/2 hour journey  I arrived later than expected which cut into my sightseeing in Bamberg.

I finally got to the Main Donau Canal. It was completed in 1992. It connects the Main (pronounced "mine") river with the Donau (in English called the Danube) river. This canal has a long history and more than one false start that was not completed. It is used by barge traffic but also river cruises that connect from the Rhine river basin to the Danube river basin. It connects the North Sea to the Black Sea and is of great economic value for shipping goods. It is 171 km (106 miles) long. I only rode about 35 miles of the canal.

Across the canal from my path there was an Indian village. Well maybe not a village but at least one teepee. This is not the first I have seen on my bike travels. I bet it was hot. If I remember correctly the native American in the south eastern USA did not use teepees.

 The bike path along the east side of the canal. It went from hard pack to asphalt. It was probably 60 percent asphalt. That made the riding easy.

I crossed the canal many times. At this point it includes the Regnitz river. This section of the canal was built in the Regnitz river valley (Regnitztal). It includes the rive on some section but separates from the river on others. In many places the canal is elevated on road and autobahns. It is quite an engineering feat.

 I reached Bamberg late and checked into my hotel. I had to wash the road off of me as it was dry and dusty in many places. I walked trough parts of Old Town. This is a part of the old Rathaus (City Hall). It is built on an island in the River with a bridge and opening going through it.

The opening through the Rathaus.

 A view of the river flowing past the Rathaus.

 I arrived at a nice German restaurant and quickly order a Schlenkerla Rauchbier. This is a beer made from smoked or very roasted malted grain. It is a specialty of the city of Bamberg. One would want to go to Bamberg and not get a rauchbier. As a beer style it dates back to the early 1400's. I may have to try to brew some when I get home.

I had for my meal a pork cutlet with french fries, I am sure you all know what is supposed to be.

 I walked home by the Hofbrauhaus. There was a crowd waiting to get in to drink and eat.







I passed by the now ubiquitous Christmas store. I have seen these in a lot of German cities in the last few years. Tomorrow I leave early to ride along the Main river. I hope was not too long and boring. Tomorrow those of you who need to know that I am really here and not posting pictures from the internet as I drink beer at the beach, I will post some selfies. You may skip tomorrow as needed.