14.10.2022, first day on the road

08:30 am. Still on the car train to Lörrach. Had a good sleep, after a quite adventurous loading the bike on the train. I had to take the tank bag off to be able to lower myself down onto the tank. The Waggon is only 1,53 m high. The bike with windshield has 1:43 m. The waggon’s steel floor was slippery wet. Walter from Switzerland was experienced, he took the lead. „What one man can do, another man can do“. It all worked out well. 

The white BMW below is a very nice one, sort of like a naked bike with a traditional looking lamp and speed instruments, plus a huge wind shield. Walter wasn't that high, so maybe this 1200R would be a good bike for Susan.

Walter and his wife are 67 and 66 years old. They came back from a three months trip to Scandinavia. Really nice and friendly people. Walter's wife looked after the luggage, particularly the tank bags, while Walter and I had to embark the train. We had to wear our helmets, for good reasons. You have to lie on the tank, behind the wind shield, to make it into the lower deck of the waggon. Not an easy exercise.

In this video you see where the train crew fasted the straps for securing the bike.

Nice people, aren't they?

 

In the video you see how low the decks are.

Finally in the train. I started in Garding already at 3pm or so, way too early, but I wanted to avoid the heavy rain that was forecasted. I got into my train compartment only at 8:30 pm.

Due to Corona reasons, the train crew tried to give every traveling party a separate compartment. So, I had this here for myself, which was a great luxury.

I made my bed in the middle bunk and I slept in no time, really comfortable and cosy

Next morning, after a mystical night, the crew even served a tasty hot coffee and a sandwich with marmalade. Exquisit!

The whole night it did not rain at all. Just when we arrived, it started pooring down. So, for the first time ever I tried my rain protection gear - and it was perfect. Very warm and dry. It is a bit bizarre: you drive in heavy rain, partly with less than 300 m sight, and it feels as if you sit in a car. You hear the rain on the helmet, see the raindrops on the visir, but that is about it.

This is the place where I stayed. The Fasthotel, right after the highway exit. It is more of a motel, really. It wouldn't win the local beauty contest, but it is clean and the bed is good quality, and it is only for one night. I booked via booking.com, for a good price (around 48€).

At 16:30 I arrived at the Fasthotel in Mâcon. Plain little motel, directly at the highway exit. There is a Novotel nearby with a bistro in it. Here I gave myself a treat. Meals in France are quite expensive. This small salad and a beer were 25 Euros.

The breakfast was only 7€ or so, with more than the usual French croissons, but toast, fresh rolls, eggs, ham, cheese, jam, butter, good coffee choices, juice, plus variations of pastries. So, really good.