As the weather is forecast to be very hot the next few days (over 36°C) we fairly spontaneously decided to cycle North. From Ingelheim this is easiest along the Rhine.
We waited for the rain to stop and set off just before 10:30. The first stop was Ingelheim market to get some rolls and cheese. Next stop was the Zollhaus in Bingen, excellent view of the Rhine and Rüdesheim on the other side.
Despite the rain we had in the morning, everything is really dry, some trees seem to think it is autumn already and are colouring and dropping their leaves. The water level of the Rhine is extremely low, the ships cannot be loaded fully.
This part of the Rhine is inundated with castles. I am sure we could not actually see all of the from the bikepath (for example we did not see the Mäuseturm in Bingen), but here is a selection.
We had lunch in Bacharach, in the same place as about 26 years ago when we lived in Frankfurt and walked along the Rhine. The following stretch took us to the views of the Loreley. At the moment some of the treacherous rocks in the water can be seen clearly.
Rhens, with its beautiful semi-timbered houses impressed us.
The valley widened out quite a bit after this as we cycled into Koblenz. It was not easy to find accommodation, as there seems to be some kind of fair on, which was also reflected in the crowds in the centre as well as the prices of food. The non-alcoholic drinks only come in small measures, and the ‘Weissweinschorle’ in the wrong glass.
Loving the old houses!