So my wife and I flew to Strasbourg with zero preparation to go on a 200 mile bike ride around the vineyards. Strasbourg is not set up for this so we rented wooden bikes, loaded up 40 kilo back packs and set off without maps into the summer sunshine. We started off in fine form pedalling south on a 30 mile canal with a perfect bike path and detailed bike information. At the 30 mile mark all information disappeared, the path turned to dirt and all bikers are launched into the canal without warning. So we went back to the last crossroads and went off sideways through a series of beatiful towns until we arrived at Selestat after a 50 mile ride. (all dinners are reviewed under Restaurants).
The next day we were feeling quite well and launched into the pouring rain. My outdated map said to go west down an ugly road but I couldn't resist a seductive bike path pointing south where were heading. This path was perfect until it abruptly unloaded us onto a 4 lane highway with 16 wheelers barrelling past us in the rain. After hiding under a bridge we regrouped and got back on the side roads we were supposed to take. The sun came out and we miraculously got lost on an unmarked vineyard path that took us 20 miles straight into Colmar where we found our next hotel on the side of a beautiful canal.
The next day I bought every kind of possible map and discovered there is a conspiracy to hide bike paths. The big blue signs are designed to send you on highways to certain death. The little white signs which cannot possibley be seen are for nice paved bike paths that appear and disappear without warning and the unmarked paths turn into dirt and end abruptly by flinging you head first into a dung heap which you can only escape if a friendly farmer comes along and winches you out.
The best paths are unmarked and meander throught the vineyards and end on your hotel doorstep but are only known to the locals who you have to ask. This trick took us through Riquwihr and Ribauville which are two of the prettiest wine villages on the planet. These towns are hilly so you better be fit to bike them unlike us who arrived gasping at our hotel. The owner clearly saw an emergency situation and poured 3 litres of Riesling down our throats before we could even speak. Bless him.
The next day up to Odenai and the last day on a brilliant 30 mile canal ride into town that was easy to find, well marked and down hill. Time to plan the Burgundy tour!
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