Page 10 - Shining On Winter 2022

contingent were Mike and Alan. We rendezvoused at 09:15 as per the instructions and departed at
precisely 09:30 am, you can’t beat German efficiency! Although I once had a conversation with Kristoff in
Berlin where he said this was just a myth. However, on this occasion it was spot on and we were off on a
spirited ride through the forests.

Riding through forest is quite challenging, as
you not only have to contend with sun and
shadows but also some of the roads were
only as wide as one lane with trees either
side and some very steep drops. The first
few times we met oncoming traffic it didn’t
look as if there was enough space to pass,
but there always was, just. Our first stop
was at an interesting village, Graufthal,
where they have built dwellings into the
caves in a cliff. For lunch we stopped at
Château du Haut-Barr, the extensive ruins
of a castle on a sandstone cliff above the
town, in the forest of the Northern Vosges,
with beautiful views over the Alcase plain,
looking towards the Vosges Mountains.
Kristoff kindly bought us all a lovely local
speciality pizza. Despite the ride being
spirited and challenging we enjoyed some
beautiful views and wonderful roads.

We arrived back late afternoon, ready for
another
evening of fine food and lovely company.
One of the German lads had dropped his
BMW and the protruding boxer engine had landed on his ankle, but he rode on all day, only to find out
later he had broken it! Putting an end to his riding that weekend. I hope he is recovering well.

Sunday

Our group leader today was Werner. The route today was going to take us in the opposite direction
and twice through the Palatinate Forest, the largest contiguous forest area in Germany. I wondered if this
was going to be as challenging as yesterday! We were heading through the valley of the Moosalbe
towards Kaiserslautern for a lunch break in Wolfstein. This time, instead of small winding roads through
dense forests, we travelled along some brilliant open, gently twisting roads, with wonderful views all
around, although there were some smaller roads as well, the same as yesterday. We had a quick coffee
stop mid-morning before continuing to Wolfstein for lunch, where pizza was the order of the day again.
Our return journey continued via Otterberg to Mehlinger Heide, where we had a brief stop for a delicious
ice cream, and then we approached the city of Kaiserslautern and bypassed it to the east, soon followed
by the climb back into the Palatinate Forest on the B38 towards Johanniskreuz. We arrived back mid
afternoon, which allowed us to take stock and enjoy a few pints in the glorious sunshine. Sunday evening
we had a closing speech by Hans Hermann and Peter Reid did an excellent job of responding, in
German, on behalf of Ulysses GB.

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