Güten Fahrt auf Bubendorf
Today we learned that this means “good trip to Bubendorf” in German. Bubendorf is the town in which we are staying tonight.
Today we also had our second challenge ride of the trip. 38 miles was our goal, and we fulfilled it. Usually we go fewer than 30 miles in a day. We also went over the Jura Mountain Range, which meant we climbed over 4,500 meters. We went uphill at a 3 percent grade for at least 8 miles.
On the way we saw four castles! A couple of them were mostly ruins and they were less mansion-like than a chateau. Here is one.
One of the principle rules of biking is that after you go up, you go down, and we followed that rule today. After going up, we went down for nine miles, and for four of those miles we were coasting! It was exhilarating!
Tomorrow we are going to Basel, which is partly in Switzerland, partly in Germany, and partly in France. We will say goodbye to Switzerland and “guten morgen ” to Germany! We will camp in France. — Lyle and Ruby
We meant 450 meters, not 4500! Also, we meant go up, not goup! Oops!
ReplyDelete700 miles!!! I loved your post, guys. Great job! That castle looks amazing!!! How cool to go biking past a castle! Can't believe you made it 38 miles, including all that uphill. Whew!!! You must be SO STRONG by now. And that long downhill sounded fantastic. I remember that feeling from biking in Switzerland, too. Except I was kinda scared, because Grandma liked to go so fast and lean into the curves around the switchbacks. She's a daredevil. I used to scream and beg her to slow down! Hahaha. Have fun in Basel--can't believe you'll be in a town that's in three countries at once! Is it cooler now?
ReplyDeletePHEW!!! So glad you didn't go up 4500 meters. I wondered about that, but then I thought, well, Team Gifford is pretty amazing, so it must be true!
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I bet it FELT like 4500 meters. The air would have been pretty thin up there, though.
ReplyDeleteWow! You guys are champs! 38 miles! Thanks for describing your many adventures. Is there a place in Basil where you can put your feet and hands into three countries at once? A wonderful post. It's great to know so much about your days as bike tourists. Maybe you'll decide to skip a year of school and ride to India?
ReplyDeleteHi guys, my name is Jen. I used to keep some bees at your grandparents (parents) house in Corvallis. My husband Dan works at Corvallis Cyclery, and I think he helped you get some of your gear. I think I see one of their stickers on your bike! Loving your blog posts!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen! I have been wondering how to get dan and Carl and Matthew a link since they all worked so hard to get us on the road. Say hi from us please. Thanks dave
DeleteIt sounds like it was a very güten fahrt auf Bubendorf! Wow -- you are so strong! That 4-mile coast sounds well-deserved. I bet there was some celebratory baguette and pastry. Have fun in Germany!
ReplyDeleteLyle and Ruby, thanks for this terrific post! You rode over a mountain! And it's so, so hot! That is a very cool-looking castle. You always wanted to see a castle, Lyle, so you are getting to see lots now. : )
ReplyDeleteToday Clara tried a fancy new trick on the swing at the farm, and she fell, hard, landing on wrist and face. She got an Xray of her wrist and found out nothing is broken, but her wrist is sprained and she is wearing a brace. Luckily it's the left wrist. Stay coolish today, and drink LOTS of water!!!
Oh no!!! Poor Clara!! So glad it’s not broken.
Deleteby day 88, those helmets are gonna be permanently attached to your heads!!!! you'll be safe at all times!! :)
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