Germany & Austria trip

Last day before the ferry dash, we set off from Kempten (hotel was fine and had a very nice steak restaurant just around the corner) towards Saarbrucken where we'd booked at the B&B hotel for that night. We decided to hit the autobahn for a couple of hours to get to Black Forest area, first stop was at Mummelsee after I'd stocked up on Scho-ka-kola. Mummelsee was very busy, had a swish around the shops there and carried on into Le France, via the Rue de Bitche and out the other side into Saarbrucken. Walked into town in the evening to grab some food and relax a bit.


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Setting off on my own on Sunday, I rode through Luxembourg and out the other side towards Bastogne. My plan, despite having around 500km to cover was to take in a few WW2 sites of interest on my way back. Arrived in the town of Bastogne, stopped at some lights and noticed the battle damaged Sherman to my left. Spent 15 minutes having a look around it and was pleased to see that it had been unmolested and treated with respect, which may not have been the case had this been in the UK.

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As I mooched through Bastogne on my way to Foy to visit the 101st Airborne foxholes I saw signs to the memorial just outside town and decided I had to visit. An amazing place situated atop a hill and with great views whos history was clearly explained via the maps on each pointer.

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Last visit before I made tracks was to visit Foy. I am relative newbie to Bastogne's history but I understand this was where the 101st were pinned down attempting to retake the town of Foy in the distance, while being shelled for days on end by Germany troops and Panzer divisions in the village itself. The foxholes that some men called home for days or weeks perhaps, 75 years ago, are still very much there. Quite a haunting and sad place but I am so glad I visited.

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Decided i had enough time in hand to visit the King Tiger at La Gleize, so on I went through some fantastic Bastogne countryside. Not sure if it was because it was a Sunday, or if the Belgians are just that cycling mad, but there were droves of them. Had to be careful going uphill because if there was a bend leading into it from the top inevitably a group of mad cyclists would come barrelling round it all over the road (including my side!) Very nice part of the country though and a great last stop before I hit the autoroutes back to Rotterdam.

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Bike vs wind turbine for scale, these things are immense!

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With the miles done and no queue for the ferry I was straight on and in. Really really empty just like on the way out. Had some nice clear views on the way out of Rotterdam later on when we set sail, and a good crossing. A million thanks to Fluffmeister and Von Stolberg, and a million regrets that Fluff was not able to make it but I know he will be 100% there next year.

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Aha, Only just noticed this :D
Crackin' good trip despite regretable absence of Fluffmeister ;)

Quality pics Roomie ;)

See ya soon :thumb
 
best way to tell a great trip story is with pics.....excellent story this one
 
Aha, Only just noticed this :D
Crackin' good trip despite regretable absence of Fluffmeister ;)

Quality pics Roomie ;)

See ya soon :thumb

Glad our plans all panned out, despite me not being able to go due to the passenger in the prostate

VLS
 
Just seen this thread ... what a great trip you had ! Thanks for taking the time to post it all .. looks brilliant !:)
 
I’ve just come across your report. Excellent. Thanks for posting, particularly the maps/routes. Useful for a bit of research.
 
Excellent trip info and pics. Thanks for posting and visiting my namesake village (Foy) planning a similar trip next year.
 
No worries chaps. This has reminded me I really should post some bits up from our trip to France last month, which I am pleased to say Fluffmeister was able to return on. Sadly Von Stolberg couldn’t make it, but he did a solo trip just a few weeks ago. Given we all have different limitations on time off and personal circumstances, this was probably the best we could have managed given the varied travel restrictions this year.

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