Day 39, Monday, June 27 – Roudnice nad Labem, Czech Republic to Bad Schandau, Germany
Tuesday 28 June 2011
Once again, research showed we had a tough ride ahead, but at least it was going to be a pretty sunny day. We started at 61 and quickly climbed to 65 degrees (perfect riding conditions). A quick climb up to the bridge out of town and we were instantly in beautiful fields 
with signing birds and rabbits the size of a (good size) small dog and hills in the distance. 
Large fields of string beans, 
almost ready to pick.
Words cannot describe the beauty of our ride today, or to quote:
“I won’t have enough hands, canvas or colours to paint the beautiful things I see.”
Vincent Van Gogh – 1888
One of the many joys of touring is sometimes you turn a corner and you are taken aback by what stands before you. It happened in Budapest as the Parliament appeared and again this morning. The pictures do not do the scenes justice 
but it was breathtaking. As a side note: be sure to ask Jerry about the dog we met along the path.
In between enjoying the scenery, we did a lot of climbing and had some rough road conditions. We rode on every single possible surface, concrete, asphalt, rocks, pavers, cobblestones, dirt 
and mud; 
none of it smooth. Thought we had done it all until we hit a creek bed we had to traverse and shortly thereafter, railroad tracks, without any kind of path crossing it. We literally had to lift our bikes over the railroad ties as well as the three foot ditch before the road. The course definitely gave our gears, bikes, bodies and brains a workout.
which way would you go?
But it was so gorgeous 
as soon as the road conditions improved, we forgot the pain.
By the afternoon, we hit a great bike path 
that was ‘relatively’ flat and still offered incredible sites, castles on hills included. 
Unfortunately, the wind (that had picked up to about 20+ mph) in the morning had remained and kept us at a slow pace. We still made it to our destination town by 2:30, after 60 miles.
Bad Schandau is a charming town along the Elbe.
Most fascinating, though is a picture of the floods from a decade ago. 
From the markers on the walls, it looked like the river had risen 30+ above it’s current level, devastating.
After dinner beside the river and a little catching up on emails, it is time for bed.
Bill Says:
Those beans may be almost ready to pick, but I’d be amazed if they are beans. From this perspective, I’d say they are hops. Who should be better qualified to identify hops than that beer authority named jerry?
Don Says:
Looks like perfect riding conditions (except for the puddles) The town looks just like Busch Gardens–ha!
Jim & Denyce Says:
Did that road sign say “Wall Drug 4,500 miles”?
M.E. Says:
I’d pick the bike with the shortest distance to beer and food! But then again, that’s probably just me.. hee hee
Bill Says:
O.K. I’m asking Jerry about the dog you met along the path.
I’ve met a lot of dogs along the path of my life. Tell us about this one.