66 miles ridden – 1104m climbed – temperature 29C.

Bit of an early start today because despite my best efforts with both windows open, fan blowing straight onto me and a cold shower before going to bed the temperature in the room didn’t drop below about 23C. It was much cooler outside so I went for a walk just before 6am. It was beautiful down by the River Neckar.

As usual we started off riding along the river and today the first city we came to was Heidelberg – Germany’s Oxford/Cambridge. It certainly looked appealing but not everyone stopped as we knew we had some serious climbing ahead of us and it was going to be hot. We still managed a taste of Heidelberg.

First coffee stop was just after at 14 miles and this was a good opportunity to make sure we were well hydrated and sugared up for the climbing. Great plans and all that! Having stopped at some traffic lights regulating flow for a very narrow street we turned the corner and were hit by an 18% lung buster of a hill. I was in the wrong gear and in powering myself clear of traffic got too much lactic acid in my thighs so it was a walk up the hill in the direct sunshine for me!

The rest of the climbing went OK culminating in a reasonably gentle 6KM climb to lunch which was a picnic in a small village square. I ate well but had a feeling I had over done it – more on that later.

After lunch we had a 5 mile relatively flat run up to the start of the next climb during which it became obvious I had ‘heavy legs’. When this happens it feels like there are weights on the tops of your knees as your legs rotate and it’s a bad sign. Sure enough as we started the second climb they went from heavy to empty and I had to get off and walk up the hill (with a few others I hasten to add!). Luckily I had an energy gel with me and although it didn’t kick in quickly enough to cycle up the first incline it got me through the rest of the climb and to the afternoon tea stop where I sugared up ( jelly babies, licourice allsorts, pineapple, biscuits!!!).

After a long descent from the tea stop (which did involve a few more hills) the last 10 miles was along side the River Jagst through lots of wooded areas and pretty little riverside villages which, like so many these days across the UK and Europe, were devoid of cafés and shops. Still the woods provides cooling air especially when we re-entered them from many sunny meadows along the way.

Out first view of Kloster Schöntal was this – an enormous building in the middle of nowhere:

The grand scale of the building quickly became clear.

All there really is here is a magnificent church and all the building that go with this having once been a very important religious centre. By the time we arrived I didn’t really care – I was hot and bothered and very pleased to have a very nice room in a charming family run hotel which also provided me with delicious Bratwurst and chip for dinner. Still not air-conditioned but nice and cool (I hope!).