Volkach to Karlstadt - 60 miles

First things first, I owe you all a picture from the ferry.... Here!!

What a great day!   After getting up early to try to finish yesterday's blog, I gave up and decided to do it when I got to the end point today.  So after breakfast, I headed out.  No delays or getting lost leaving town today!

Small town (ein Ort) decked out for a celebration. 

I had a great ride early on.... From Volkach to the Schwarznach area.   And at that point the wheels came off.   Not literally.... There was a sign missing!   At first I thought it was me but in about 3 minutes there was a group of 6 Germans that came and asked me where we were!!!  BAD SIGN!!   It also taught me something about life..... Never trust the Navi (GPS).    One of the Germans swore that we were going in the right direction.    I showed him the map which quite obviously showed us to be heading 180 degrees out.   Well... He didn't believe maps and I got sucked into believing a Navi!!!  We must have rode 12 km into a deep woods.   The trail was such that no rode bike should ever have been on it!!!  At about 15 minutes in, I was looking for Gretel to ask here where the heck the bread crumbs were!!!  She was nowhere to be found!

So we ended up about 20 Km too far out of the trail!  But finally we got to Kitzigen!!!   Wait.... Did I say we??  I meant I got to Kitzigen!   And after a short spell of being lost in in the middle of town (die Stadtmitte), I headed out for Ochsenfurt.   

Kitzigen from the river. 

On the bridge going intoe the Stadtmitte. 

A church in Kitzigen

Inside of church being restored. 

At that point it was almost noon and time for a Radler break.... What a great invention by the Germans!!   Radlers!! 

The Biergarten....

And that reminded me how industrious Germans are..... I am amazed at how they are ALWAYS working on things..... Roads, canals, rivers, buildings.    They don't let anything fall into disrepair.   

The road from Ochsenfurt to Würzburg was the best I've had yet!  Great road, no detours, bypassed towns!   It was GREAT!!   Then I hit Würzburg.   Things slowed a bit but still not bad AND great sights.   

Die Residenz - UNESCO site

Cathedral on the opposite hill

Following there, I kept heading up to Karlstadt.   Nice city and a great hotel which we stayed at.... Hotel Main Prominade.   Right on the river, restaurant, Biergartens and swans swimming in the river right outside the hotel.  Pretty cool!!

Karlstadt

Biergarten at the hotel

Deserted castle on hill over looking the Main

Another grand building in the hills overlooking the hotel.  

Hilary contacted one of our relatives, Florian, who lives just a short distance from Karlstadt, and he joined us for dinner!  Nice evening talking about family, biking, vacations and Germinglish.  

Florian, Ben and Hilary

Tomorrow on to Miltenberg!!!  A bit linger day I think....104 km.   Add 20 for getting lost, and it will be a long day!!