173. Europe Bicycle Trip---Cycling Along the Rhine River Through Mainz

It is inevitable that along a big river like the Rhine there are also big cities that have been established. I cannot camp in big cities and I also get lost easily in them so I try to pass through quickly. Each if these cities is full of history and the old buildings are very attractive. One could spend many days touring each city completely.

The city of Mainz is located on the west bank of the Rhine River opposite the confluence of the Main River into the Rhine. The river here is over half a kilometer wide. Mainz is the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. In ancient times it was a Roman fort city in the northernmost part of the Roman Empire. Today it is a busy port city with about 200,000 inhabitants. During World War 11, 30 air raids destroyed about 80 per cent of the city including most of the historic buildings.  Across the river is the city of Wiesbaden..

Chris and Sarah have been involved with rowing so I am always on the lookout for photos for them. The Mainz Rowing Club

The rowing shells are loaded and ready to go.

An inner harbour just inland from the main channel of the Rhine.

I took photos of some old looking buildings that I cycled past but I did not see what they were used for.

Rental yellow bicycles

A tour boat at dock

The bicycle path goes nicely under the deck arch bridge. They have done a good job in many of these cities to keep walking and cycling paths as much as possible along the river banks.

The Theodor Heuss Bridge- a deck arch bridge over the Rhine connecting the Rhineland-Palatinate capital of Mainz to the Mainz-Kastel district of Wiesbaden, capital of state Hesse. The main span of the bridge is 102.94 meters long and it was opened in 1950.

Twin towers of a church

Statue of Jesus preaching from the fishing boat

172. Europe Bicycle Trip--Vineyards Everywhere!

I didn't sleep much last night because the dog that belonged to Wolfgang and his wife who were in a tent close by keep barking every time I rolled over on my mattress. I was glad to leave Camping Club Oppenheim on Tuesday, June 17th, Day 62 of my trip. This campground gets a 3 out of 10 rating from me -locked showers, uncut grass, barking dogs. The only nice aspect was the view of the Rhine.

Soon I came to Niersten which has some of the oldest vineyards in the area. The sign also advertises their wine festivalon July 20th.

Approaching the town of Niersten.

This interesting display was on one of the houses.

I also cycled through Nackenheim, Bodenheim and Laubenheim--all small villages surrounded by vineyards.

It is unbelievable how the grapevines are grown right up to the top of the hills.

Panorama

Some areas had new grapevines that had been planted this year. It has been very hot and the soil is quite dry.

The paved bicycle and walking path went right through the vineyard land.

It looks a little like a graveyard but in actuality there is newness here.

For a while I was back by the side of the Rhine on gravel. Then I slow down a lot!

Going past a factory on the outskirts of Mainz

The towers of an historic train bridge south of Mainz

Going under the train bridge

171. Europe Bicycle Trip--Waldemar from Kazahkstan and Kubb

Finally after77.75 km. I came to Oppenheim, where my map showed a campground.

First I stopped at a grocery store to buy some food and then I went by the big Katharinnen Kirche, built in 1258 and one of the most importqnt Gothic churches on the Rhine between Strasbourg and Cologne.

I had to cross Highway 9 and cycle first through a residential area and then down a bush lined road to find Camping Club Oppenheim.

The caravan section was off limits and there was only one other tent set up in this area by the restaurant. Wolfgang and his wife are tenting for a few days to celebrate an anniversary. I was able to borrow a hammer from them for pounding in my pegs. The grass was uncut and the showers were locked in the public park part but I couldn't be choosy as there were no other campgrounds around.

It was quite windy so I set up my little tent behind the fence with the trees along the Rhine as a windbreak.

While I was setting up, Waldemar Stab from Florsheim am main but originally  from Kazahkstan started a conversation with me as he passed by during a walk. He is in the area for work. He deals with electrical machines. He really enjoys being out in enjoys nature. He has just had a baby boy that is 3 months old.

During the evening, I watched some ladies and children playing the Swedish game called Kubb that I have at home and that I also saw in Heidelberg along the Neckar. It is a game played with wooden sticks and pegs and involves throwing them to knock others down. Many barges were going past us along the Rhine River.

The shore here was all little stones.

The barges were all staying over near the other shore in the deeper water.

170. Europe Bicycle Trip---Grapevines and Wineries-The RheinterrassenWeg

After cycling through Ludwigshafen and then on to Worms, I was very happy to arrive at lots of countryside. I really like bicycling in the country better than in the city.

A few hills and lots of wind turbines in the distance. It was a beautiful, clear day.

My lunch spot. What more could you ask for?

After lunch as I was riding , I came across grape field after grape field.

My paved path is blocked by this tractor. The blades at the front trim the sides and top of the grape plants and the back equipment cultivates the soil between the rows.

I passed through quaint towns like Osthofen, Mettenheim and Alsheim.

Weingut Schauf is found in Guntersblum.

It has a beautifully flowered entrance.

Welcome to Wine and Culture-and The queen of wine in Rhinehessen, 24 year old Helgard Frey, daughter of a wine grower in the area.

They are all saying "Please keep this doorway clear!"

The River Rhine Terrace Trail with it's 59.7 km runs between Worms and Mainz along the Rhine area in the heart of the Rhine- Hessian vineyards. It leads through vineyards of worldwide reputation and passes historical cities and villages with interesting heritage buildings. The railway that runs parallel enables its passengers to return easily to their starting point. The River Rhine Terrace Trail itself is a trail of tradition. It has been used by hikers and cyclists since 1907.

Guntersblum church

Schlofgut Schmitt in Guntersblum

Weingut F. Frey -family of Helgard Frey

Weingut Hamann (German for my last name Hayman??)

Every hillside was covered by grapevines. It was absolutely beautiful!

View of approaching villages over the grapevines.

I continued on and cycled through Ludwigshohe and Dienheim.