My rides over the last few days have been easy, beautiful, lazy, moving from small towns in the south of NL to small towns in the west of Germany. I haven't run into a "bad area" in 150 miles. Everyone's property is so well manicured. It'd be hard to keep up with the Joneses around here.
The only drawback has been the weather. It's been a little gloomy during the day, and then it pours in the early morning around 3 a.m., just after I hit REM sleep. In a tent on some farmer's land I don't know, that's no good. With the 5-day forecast looking like much of the same, I've decided to hang in Osnabrück, then take the train to Berlin. I feel a little like I'm cheating, but riding isn't enjoyable when you have a timeline and you're getting soaked while you should be sleeping. If I had the time I wouldn't mind it as much, but unfortunately I have to move and get miles in.
Next stop, Berlin.
On my way out of the Netherlands.
Typical property in S. NL/W. Germany.
Border crossing.
Where I slept one night. It was a local park and the early risers were not amused by a groggy Justin.
So many of these guys on the trail. And their cousins, the slugs, stick to your bags and stretch to ten times their body length. Yuck!
Always should take a moment and thank the good lord for what I'm able to do.
The reddest of red. I was famished from my ride, but I had to take a pic of how deeply red this strawberry was. A wonderful farmers' market in Osnabrück. Delish!
Some gents I met during a bachelor party. If someone asks to drink Kuemmerling, pass.