Bensheim

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Made only 50k yesterday. Must do better than this or we will never make it to Milan. Stopping frequently for pictures and general horsing around. Stopped at a bike shop about along the way and Christian treated us quite nicely as all here have done since we arrived. When I jokingly asked him why people were so nce, he said "We are in Hesse". Sounds like a good reason to me.

The energy-giving nuts we brought are wonderful, but very heavy so we are serious nut diet to lighten our load. No serious hills so far, but several have described the up-and-down nature of the Black Forest roads. The way has also been described as extremelzy beautiful. Gradually we are discarding stuff that is proving to be more hindrance and help. Anti-chafing powder, laundry soap, items used on the plane, useless maps, and today, some wonderful nuts, I am sad to say.

The bikes are holding up well, but the overloaded rear panniers are making riding a little unstable, even dangerous. (Nuts again!)

Great breakfast in a sun-filled dining room. (First sun since arrived.) Must look for bookshop and/or tourist bureau to get some good maps. Cycle paths are many, pretty well signed, but special cycle maps are better. But then we might miss the delight of asking questions of strangers and the interesting conversations that result. Maybe we could offer them some nuts.

Heidelberg is 38k south, but must do some quick castle viewing and get further south.

Sorry for the lack of brevity, but as a famous writer once wrote when penning a note to a friend, "If I had more time, I would have written less."

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