Blue Skies and Green Vines

Alsace (France) Stage 7 – Tues 13th Sept 2016 – Colmar to Mulhouse (64 Km)

Weather: 16⁰C min – 30⁰C max, fine, clear blue sky

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“A raggedy ride beats a dressed up walk” ~ Simon Peat

Riding through green vineyards, under azure blue skies, on perfect sealed cycling tracks, through picturesque villages, never get boring. The route from Colmar to Mulhouse was my third, and final, day of riding on the Route Des Vins D’Alsace, but no less interesting than the previous three days.

All of the wine villages I passed en route (Eguisheim, Hattstatt, Pfaffenheim, Rouffach, Westhalten, Orschwihr, Bergholtzzell, Bergholtz, Guebwiller, Backoefeleweg, Wuenheim, Hartmannswiller, Berrwiller, Staffelfelden, Wittelsheim) were charming in their own way. Eguisheim was the standout – a very pretty village with a maze of alleyways and courtyards, plenty of caves (cellars), overflowing with geraniums, dotted with flowerbeds and enlivened by half-timbered houses in shocking pastels. Touristic overload was evident even at 10 o’clock in the morning, so much so I gave up on waiting to be served with coffee.

Conscious of this being my last day surrounded by lush vine-clad slopes, I just pedalled along savouring the moment. There were numerous, well-decorated, roadside caves (wine cellars), where you can sample Alsace’s crisp white varietal wines (in particular riesling, pinot blanc and gewürtztraminer), but I only stopped for purposes of photographing the eye-catching gimmicks out the front, like the over-sized bicycle.

Mulhouse where I am staying for two nights looks an interesting town, with an attractive city centre and some reasonable restaurants. Then on Thursday my final stage of the tour will be from Mulhouse to Basel in Switzerland, where I am staying three nights with friends. While it is a bit sad that such a marvelous tour is coming to an end, I am looking forward to returning to London to see my dear wife and family. All good things must come to an end.

 

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1 Response

  1. Melveta Ellwood says:

    Yes all good things always come to an end.!! One day you can start all over again on your 80th birthday!!

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