Follow the Layson's as we eat our way around Europe: 2.12 Just ride

Another hot day was on the cards for Colmar today. Mark left early for a ride whilst everyone was still asleep (see seperate entry for that). After a standaard breakfast Sal and the kids walked to a local bike hire shop just around the corner and got 4 bikes for about 4 hours. There are plenty of good and flat bike trails around the area.

The Alsace region is trying to promote itself as a bike riding paradise! Being Australian they also asked for helmets and got a funny look from the bike shop guy and then everyone else. Bike helmets are so passé! They did have bells though. Duncan Gay would be proud (NSW roads minister) The intrepid adventurers tagged on the back of some other biking tourists until they could find a good trail out of Centre Ville. Once out in the fields the trail was easy to follow along the local canal.

The canal of course lead to a... you guessed it, a Patisserie. Bike riding food if ever there was some.

The kids enjoyed the ride making music with their bells! After about 15ks of riding, Mark joined up after his ride in the mountains. We all decided (i.e. Mark and Sally) to go a bit further back out and come back to town the long way so we could all ride together. But this time it was getting pretty hot, 35 degrees again, and the water was running low. But the cycle along the canal, corn fields and recently or just about to be harvested wheat fields was a great distraction.

We cycled back in via the industrial area of town along the cycle path, and a few big lorries. We got back to the bike shop and were pretty near heat exhaustion after 35k in 35 degree hear. The cure was granitas (slushees) and some serious screen time!

After a short break Mark and Sal headed back out for a coffee and ice tea along with a piece of ice cream Black Forest cake. Yum.

We packed up with the sad realisation we are leaving Colmar. It has been one of the best, if not the best, town we have stayed in during either trip. It is safe, clean, nice cycling in the Vosges Mountains along with plenty of shops etc and fantastic accomodation. If you come to the Alsace region let us know because we now have a great place to stay. Our host, Laurent, was very generous and courteous, going out of his way to make sure we were comfortable. Like last night, it was going to be hot so he arranged a portable air conditioner for us. If he was an Aussie we would definitely say he is a "top bloke".

After packing we headed out for our last meal in Colmar along with some glaces. We all swear Kate is actually part French. She ordered and ate with glee 12 Escargot in garlicy butter. Ed kept dipping his bread in the butter, and eventually relented and tried a snail. In it went, and out it came! Oh well, at least he tried.