Cycling

It's just a good feeling to be amongst so many people on bikes. It's just the German's way of getting about - often effortlessly. I am acclimatised to cycling being a form of at least mild exercise - just my Australian heritage. Here many just cruise along probably using less energy than walking. The average speed for many of them is about 15 kms/hr which does not take much effort. I feel almost no effort at that speed on the flat which this path along the Main River mostly is. Even on modest inclines walking is common, and there are occasional electric bikes just to clarify the exercise bit.

I might once have been disdainful of the electric bike but it does have a good role. For some the alternative might be to drive if they don't want to get a sweat up on the way to the wine bar which many did on Sunday. They can touch and smell the country, chat and be more relaxed than driving car. And they can get almost anywhere on separate bike paths with all those signposts.

These signposts are invaluable for me as I am travelling, so far, without any cycle maps. I do have a GPS but its maps are without cycle paths. I am travelling without maps because they would exceed my target weight, and for those that might know, my target luggage weight is always less than what I currently have, regardless of how much that is. Now this has drawbacks as whilst the signs are frequent, there are gaps, and ambiguities. So I have the occasional unwanted diversion.

Seeing these sometimes obscure signs is part of the day.

I have read that the Germans produce sufficient excellent maps to cover the whole of there nation to depth of 30 cm (they probably meant simply 1 ft). I now understand what is going on - there is some kind of symbiotic relationship between paths and maps as neither is of much use without the other, even with all the signposts.

and my hotel is well catered for with sign and spacious bike garage.

Strolling through Bamberg past this restaurant / cafe the number of bikes was large (there were more) and they could only be for the diners.