Thursday - The Ride - Day 5
The tide is turning - a sunrise no matter how dim is still a sunrise in the eyes of the optimistic - today even the pessimistic would agree! - this sunrise is a sunrise! - Rohan is up for his run - Marie battles her underpowered computer - the other travellers arise - cheerful - the sunshine and the early morning coffees fuel their steely determination - today will be a good day - a great day.
The news of Anne is positive - a few more tests but she will return to the boat today with a cracked sternum - tough lady - Brian resolves to challenge her to a weight lifting contest upon her return - Peter looks much less worried.
The briefing ? - Neirstein to Mainz - just 20 or 30 or 40 kilometres says Gottfried - easy - ''We will see" - the left bank? - shorter - easy - follow the signs - easy - you will not get lost! - The right bank? - easy! - says Gottfried - big signs - R6 - you follow the signs - I come behind - easy.
Many of the travellers have heard all of this before - they resolve to stick to their own small groups - resolve to rely on native cunning rather than Gottfried's advice - downhill and north towards Mainz - stay alert for coffee and cake - if in doubt ask the locals - no matter what stay off main road and autobahn!
The resolve of the left bank travellers to ignore Gottfried's advice is immediately reinforced - how do you get on the cycle path from the boat without negotiating the main road? - a scout is dispatched - problem resolved! - main road negotiated - through the town - no signs - ask a local - problem solved - into the vineyards - magical - along the vineyards - magical.
Into a village - time for coffee - dispatch a scout - silly - faster to ask a local - ask a local - coffee and cake that way! - superb!
The sunshine - the scenery - the setting aside of Gottfried's advice - all contribute to Mainz appearing in the blink of an eye - a great ride - this is why we do it!
Patria is not ready for us to board - solution? - biergarten! - radler - radler - Bratwurst with pommes - watch the barges - watch the cruise boats - watch the police boat pull over the huge barge - amazing waterway!
Patria is ready for the travellers - they dispense with their riding gear - they don their touring attire - Mainz? - the home of Guttenberg - must explore the printing museum! - must explore the Dom - must explore the stained glass windows of St Stephens.
The Sun is finally shining for the locals - they occupy - occupy - occupy the grassy banks of the Rhine - their attire reduced to minimalistic levels - their skin tones gradually reflecting the absorption of energy from the ultra violet part of the spectrum - Ah Spring! - sighs Chris Adams.
A great day! - this is really what it is all about!
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