Sneaking into The Netherlands

Wissel, Germany to Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Day 67 - Thursday - August 18
Our poor luck with campground neighbors struck again last night. There was only 1 other group in the tent area and the adults let the 6 pre-teen boys carry on at full volume until after midnight. The power was also out in the morning so no hot coffee at the snack bar either. 

Is it a chateau? No, just a German farm house and barn.

These cigarette vending machines are common but seem to be located in random places. 

Our first windmill and we aren't even in The Netherlands yet!

Our route took us through some really nice rural areas, but not past any cafes or markets. It also felt like we were sneaking up on the border as we wandered within a couple of miles of it several times during the morning.

We really are still in Germany but the bike route system from The Netherlands kindly extends its maps across the border.

All the intersections (knooppunts) of this nation-wide bike route system are numbered. It helped our navigation go much quicker. You can design your own route by connecting the dots.

It did not, however, tell us when we had crossed the border. We were already a half mile past the border (a bridge over a canal) before we realized we had left Germany. Our first clue was the street sign said "Straat". We also finally found a place to eat lunch in Beek.

Following our next number took us up what we think must be the tallest hill in the country. At the top, of course, was this really big church., Notre Dame de Agnes.

That structure behind the hedge is all for bike parking at a train stop.

The first thing we found in Nijmegen was the Velomuseum, when we mistakenly stopped thinking it was a bike shop that might have maps.

Now that is one hefty brake lever!! It pushes that rod down on the tire.

Doug especially liked the part of the museum where a young woman told him "You have great-looking legs."

Hood ornament. Don't you think it would look good on Donna's bike?

They had a lot of wooden bikes on display.

In the 50's, this was every American boy's dream bike, the Schwinn Phantom.

It is a monocycle.

The never-ending search for a comfortable bike seat started a long time ago.

The velvet is a nice touch.

Fortunately, chain design has improved over the years.

An early bike "computer"

Bike bell, which is handy in a place that has so many bikes.

Even roller blades have a history!

We have decided that it is time for us to say goodby to the Rhein River and head south. We are hoping that it will be a little drier that direction.

You got me here with the GPS now you have to get me out.

The Nijmegen central train station bike parking lot. There is another level below this one that was just as full. It is a college town with 35,000 students. They must all have 2 or 3 bikes. A thunderstorm with drenching rain started while we were at dinner.