Brussels to Trier

Route: Brussels to Trier

Days on the bike: 16

Total distance travelled: 1191 km / 740 miles

My first bike related issue! I decided to take an interesting wooded path, that turned into a tiny track suitable for walkers and mountain bikers. I think all the bumping and shaking caused a bolt to come undone. Further down the track, I slammed on the breaks after a crashing noise from behind, my rear pannier had fallen off. Not much of an issue, I admit, but it was fun putting the pannier back together and heading to the nearest garage to ask for a replacement screw.

I had another warm showers host lined up this evening. Unfortunately they were out for the night, so instead gave me instructions to jump a wall and find the key in their absence. I always find these gestures based on trust remarkable.It’s probably unfair to comment on Liege given that I arrived at rush hour (everyone’s a knob) and at night watched a drunk guy pissing in the middle of the street for 5 minutes. My host were lovely though.

The next day I made my way toward Luxembourg to a tiny village near St Vith. It was such a beautiful sunny day and I kept thinking how lucky I’ve been with the weather so far.

Sometimes I have moments when I miss having company, today I had such a moment. On one of my many breaks throughout the day, I saw a glistening bench in the afternoon sun calling my name. I heard the call, sat down, put my hands behind my head and relaxed, pure bliss. Was it fuck. It was glistening because it had just been varnished and so had I. Where was a companion to laugh at my predicament?!

Today bringeth hills and lots of them. A nice taster of what I can look forward to in the coming days/weeks.

The next day I was I’m Germany! No border, no fanfare and no idea. When I checked my map and realised I was presented with this view.

Another reason to love staying with locals around the world is getting invaluable local knowledge. I was recommended cycle paths all the way from St Vith to Trier and I’m so glad I took the advice. Dedicated paths in forests, along rivers and even under tunnels. See the little section for cyclists.

The German countryside really is spectacular, but you do have to work for it. Lots and lots of hills, love it.

I was enjoying my cycle path so much I decided to ignore this sign with a poison symbol. It turns out this German word means “great big truck in the middle of the path, don’t come unless you want to carry your bike for a bit”. No problem.

That evening I had no host lined up. Tired and hungry I invested in a cheap hostel for the night, my first paid accommodation for this trip so far.