August 25 - The White Main - from Brook to River

Tuesday - Bad Berneck to Lichtenfels
This was such a nice, quiet place to recover and now it is time to move on down the river.

We discovered the back gate yesterday which meant we didn't have to walk our bikes UP their VERY STEEP driveway.

It isn't the "official" path but we weren't the first to go that way either.

It was still easier even with the little push up the bank and Donna's legs are feeling a bit sore from those cramps. 

We did go by the Tourist Info office to give Gerald his "Angel" card before we left town. We really should have showered him with hugs and kisses too because that book has been SOOOO handy.

Just in case you haven't seen one before.

Lanzendorf

Guess we aren't done with gravel yet.

The surface is very firm even though it rained last night.

Neuenmarkt bike shop. We needed more chain lube.

These regional passenger trains are very quiet and very fast. And they carry bikes so that is a nice back up plan if we need it.

Better pay attention to these because there are really healthy drain dips right around the corner.

Plassenburg Castle/Museum above Kulmbach. This is where the Red Main joins the White Main.

This qualifies as one the prettiest garden plot gates we've seen. And we've seen a LOT of garden plots since almost every town we've been through since Rostock has them.

Helmund was very curious about us when we stopped in this park in Kulmbach to eat our sandwiches. His English is about the same as our German but with some creativity we"talked" about our journey. At the end, he had a big smile for us and one word - "Respect"

Then we ate lunch

This park has a particularly nice playground for preschoolers.

It has a small aviary also.

Yep....one of the Berlin Bears

Only 32 miles to Coburg...we didn't know we were so close to home! Except, of course, none of those other names sound familiar and everything is in kilometers. All roads will lead to Coburg for the rest of the day.

Yet another version of road pavers. This one was just a little bumpy.

Hungry and thirsty cyclists pay attention!

We followed the signs but, alas they were closed until later in the afternoon.

Guess we will just have to go to McDonald's instead for something cold and a bathroom.

Schwurbitz

One of the trailside rest stops in use.

We are seeing these maps pretty regularly now.

 We were looking at the map on the east edge of Lichtenfels when Alfred stopped to offer his assistance. First he showed us a flatter way to reach our motel. Then he offered Donna one of his many maps but she declined as we are well equipped already. We gave him an "Angel" card.

This is the 3rd time we crossed paths with Alfred. He is making sure we know that this is the turn we need to make.

What a nice way to end our first full day on the Main Radweg. (and Donna is feeling a LOT better!)