Day 08 - Duisburg to Nievenheim

 67.3 km - Total so far 479.70 km - Route pedalled.      Relive Video (with pictures)

Video of the day: Europe Day 08

NOTE: Relive videos now include pictures

We had a well earned rest in Duisburg last night. After yesterday, one would think our legs might feel sore. Nope, legs were great but shoulders were tender. It was as if we spent the whole day arm wrestling with the weighted bags on the front as they were buffeted by the wind.

We now have navigation down to the basics, ie, just turn into the wind and start pedaling. It was easy getting out of Duisburg. Quite a few times, we ended up on streets with no cycling infrastructure nor markings and at no time did we feel threatened by cars. Whether car in front or to the rear, they give way to bicycles by stopping. In our experience, they pass when it is safe for the cyclist(s). We will see tomorrow if this works in bigger towns.

We still had a headwind today but it was steady and much lower velocity. On today's ride we passed through many little hamlets between bigger villages right up to Dusseldorf. With so many barges on the Rhine, we picked one out and raced it till we passed it. It took us almost a kilometer to catch up and pass. 

Our lunch spot, it's much warmer

We struck up interesting conversation thanks to our Amsterdam to Istanbul sign on the back of the bike. While waiting to use the automated bathroom in Dusseldorf we found out about an all glass bathroom in Cologne that is a must see. Apparently, it was featured in a movie. 

We took a pedestrian/cyclist bridge that goes over a branch of the River Rhine. You can see the footbridge in the video and some pictures in ReLive. While stopped, a local cyclist, Manfred, struck up a conversation. A bit later, he caught up with us to advise that we were about to ride under the last bridge that would take us to our destination for the day, Dormagen. Our cunning plan was to take a ferry up river. Once he had left, we reconfirmed the ferry schedule. Once on said ferry, I reached for my electronic wallet to pay for ferry only to be told cash only. Was not prepared for that and had to wrestle 56 lbs of luggage to get at my cash.

The ferry to Zons

Hélène always does the grocery shopping but today I wanted a few cans of beer. For the first time, I was told to get them myself. What an experience and I'll leave it at that.

I've been tasked with doing the ReLive bit. I am still trying to better match pictures and comments. That is why you might see a picture of toilet and reference to pollardized.

Since day one, we have been seeing trees where all upper branches have been removed. Today we made a point of finding out about 'Pollarding'. 

After the ferry we cycled through the town of Zons it was very interesting, better pictures here.

Zons

Tonight we are staying in a shared apartment. It's getting warmer and we are looking forward to camping once we get beyond Bonn.

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From our lunch spot in Dusseldorf