If anyone were to ask me whether it was worth taking bikes to France or Germany on holiday, the answer would be a resounding yes.
Wherever we have stayed, over the last three weeks, there have been miles and miles of cycle paths to enable us to explore the surrounding countryside with ease and in safety.
In North Burgundy, we enjoyed canal rides, immersed in nature and only accompanied by the occasional barge making its way slowly through the locks.
In South Burgundy, there were miles and miles of cycle paths through the vineyards, taking us through pretty villages and past grand château.
And here in the Alsace region, we have travelled across the border to ride in both France and Germany, along the Rhine and beside vast fields planted with maize, wheat and barley.
Yesterday we cycled to Freiburg, a 45 mile round trip which we would not have considered if there hadn't been cycle paths. On the outward journey we travelled alongside busy roads, not a particularly pretty route, but safe and direct - at least until we got to the outskirts of the city. It then took us an hour to navigate across busy roads and across train and tram lines; through suburbs filled with pedestrians and other cyclists, everybody seeming to be in a hurry.
When we finally arrived in the historic old town, or 'altstadt', of Freiburg we found that the few beautiful old buildings were lost between more modern structures, and even the picturesque canal route did not really live up to expectations. I suppose we shouldn't have been surprised, as almost everything was destroyed in the war and has had to be rebuilt. The only thing unscathed was the cathedral - a miracle when you see photographs of the devastation surrounding it at the time.
We took a different return route, a few miles longer but worth it, as it avoided the busy main roads, instead taking us through fields and villages.
Despite being more rural, once again we travelled on cycle paths the whole way and the route was well marked meaning that we didn't need to worry about stopping to navigate.
So yes, I think they have got it right over here. The government have invested heavily in enabling cyclists to travel easily between places, whether it is to commute or simply for leisure. And people do; we passed many people, including families with young children, all riding together; the city was filled with cyclists, students and workers; and lots of tourists were also on two wheels, including older people, maybe because ebikes have become more popular and affordable.
So here's to planning our next cycling holiday in Europe. I am looking forward to it already.
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