It's hard to believe, but we started planning for this ride almost 4 months ago. In the end, 8 of us cycled in the ride and we all made it through successfully.
I signed up for the 100 miles route, but ended up turning around at the 50 mile point and ending up with a 64 mile ride. With my Europe trip starting in just 4 days, my intention had been to get in a good ride, but not push myself too hard. Mission accomplished!
The route was very well chosen. We started out heading south from Squaw to the Lake and then along the north shore of Lake Tahoe to Kings Beach. At that point, we turned back north on 267 and biked over Brockway Summit (past Northstar) and down into Truckee. Heading through Truckee, we continued north on 89 before turning into Tahoe Donner and climbing to the very top of the Tahoe Donner Ski Resort (a brutal climb). We then dropped down to Donner Lake and biked along the edge to the far end. This is where I turned around and went back to Squaw (the 100 miles route went up to Donner Summit and down the back side to Cisco Grove before heading back).
GPS Map of My 64-mile Ride
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Plan for Day 21: Den Haag to Amsterdam: 38.3 miles
Day 21: Den Haag to Amsterdam
This is actually a pretty nice day. There are lots of canals around and each one seems to have a bike path, so there is really no need to bike on the road.
I'll work my way out of Den Haag to the town of Leiden. This is the spot where the Pilgrims first came from England, before being pushed out again to the New World. From Leiden, I'll head down the canals, past Schiphol Airport, into Amsterdam. I'll then have two rest days in Amsterdam before I have to get on a plane back to the US.
-------------------------------
This is actually a pretty nice day. There are lots of canals around and each one seems to have a bike path, so there is really no need to bike on the road.
I'll work my way out of Den Haag to the town of Leiden. This is the spot where the Pilgrims first came from England, before being pushed out again to the New World. From Leiden, I'll head down the canals, past Schiphol Airport, into Amsterdam. I'll then have two rest days in Amsterdam before I have to get on a plane back to the US.
-------------------------------
Plan for Day 20: Dordrecht to Den Haag: 54.0 miles
Day 20: Dordrecht to Den Haag
The North Sea! After working through the maze that is Rotterdam Harbor, the largest in Europe, I'll make my way to Hook of Holland and the North Sea. I'll then head along the coast for a few miles before dropping slightly inland to spend the night in Den Haag (The Hague).
------------------------------
The North Sea! After working through the maze that is Rotterdam Harbor, the largest in Europe, I'll make my way to Hook of Holland and the North Sea. I'll then head along the coast for a few miles before dropping slightly inland to spend the night in Den Haag (The Hague).
------------------------------
Plan for Day 19: Nijmegen to Dordrecht: 69.5 miles
Day 19: Nijmegen to Dordrecht
This looks to be just an awesome day. There is a dike along the river with a path on top the entire way. Fast, easy, fun, great views. A good day for a bit of extra distance.
--------------------------
This looks to be just an awesome day. There is a dike along the river with a path on top the entire way. Fast, easy, fun, great views. A good day for a bit of extra distance.
--------------------------
Plan for Day 18: Wesel to Nijmegen: 49.7 miles
Day 18: Wesel to Nijmegen
This is where the Rhine starts to break up a bit. That'll lead to some tough routefinding and some long stretches a bit away from the river. Still, though, the trail will be mostly dirt roads and paths and I'll get some similarly long stretches along the bank.
Towards the end of the day, I'll cross over into the Netherlands and the Rhine will split. The main branch of the river will continue towards Nijmegen, though it will now be called the Waal.
------------------------------
This is where the Rhine starts to break up a bit. That'll lead to some tough routefinding and some long stretches a bit away from the river. Still, though, the trail will be mostly dirt roads and paths and I'll get some similarly long stretches along the bank.
Towards the end of the day, I'll cross over into the Netherlands and the Rhine will split. The main branch of the river will continue towards Nijmegen, though it will now be called the Waal.
------------------------------
Plan for Day 17: Dusseldorf to Wesel: 47.0 miles
Day 17: Dusseldorf to Wesel
This is a day of true contrasts. Most of the day is extremely industrial, through the outskirts of Dusseldorf and the Ruhr city of Duisburg. Even with that, much of the day is still dirt paths along the river. At the end of the day, my plan is to get settled in Wesel and then head downriver a short distance to check out Xanten, a well preserved Roman settlement along the Rhine.
---------------------------------------
This is a day of true contrasts. Most of the day is extremely industrial, through the outskirts of Dusseldorf and the Ruhr city of Duisburg. Even with that, much of the day is still dirt paths along the river. At the end of the day, my plan is to get settled in Wesel and then head downriver a short distance to check out Xanten, a well preserved Roman settlement along the Rhine.
---------------------------------------
Plan for Day 16: Koln to Dusseldorf: 36.9 miles
Day 16: Koln to Dusseldorf
Today is a bit of an easy day on the bike in order to spend most of the day exploring Dusseldorf. I've made some contact with the Atheros Germany office and might be able to catch up with them this evening. Whether or not that works out, Dusseldorf is one of the cultural centers of Germany and there will be plenty to occupy my time.
Amazingly, the ride is still mostly along the river and mostly on dirt roads or paths.
----------------------------------
Today is a bit of an easy day on the bike in order to spend most of the day exploring Dusseldorf. I've made some contact with the Atheros Germany office and might be able to catch up with them this evening. Whether or not that works out, Dusseldorf is one of the cultural centers of Germany and there will be plenty to occupy my time.
Amazingly, the ride is still mostly along the river and mostly on dirt roads or paths.
----------------------------------
Plan for Day 15: Rest Day!
Day 15: Rest Day!
This will be a relaxing day, just hanging out in Koln (Cologne) and catching up with laundry and general logistics.
This will be a relaxing day, just hanging out in Koln (Cologne) and catching up with laundry and general logistics.
Plan for Day 14: Koblenz to Koln: 64.6 miles
Day 14: Koblenz to Koln
After the two short days in the "Romantic Rhine" and with a rest day coming up, this is the perfect time for a slightly longer ride. This will likely be a pretty nice day, with the canyon still pretty dramatic and some interesting history. I'll pass through the town of Remagen, famous for its bridge that was captured by the allies before the Germans could blow it up. I'll also pass through the town of Bonn, capitol of West Germany for almost 50 years.
At the end of the day, I'll hit Koln, with its spectacular cathedral. I'll take a look around, but the majority of the Koln sightseeing will wait until the rest day.
-------------------------------
After the two short days in the "Romantic Rhine" and with a rest day coming up, this is the perfect time for a slightly longer ride. This will likely be a pretty nice day, with the canyon still pretty dramatic and some interesting history. I'll pass through the town of Remagen, famous for its bridge that was captured by the allies before the Germans could blow it up. I'll also pass through the town of Bonn, capitol of West Germany for almost 50 years.
At the end of the day, I'll hit Koln, with its spectacular cathedral. I'll take a look around, but the majority of the Koln sightseeing will wait until the rest day.
-------------------------------
Plan for Day 13: Bacharach to Koblenz: 31.0 miles
Day 13: Bacharach to Koblenz
This is the second half of the "Romantic Rhine". An amazing day of biking right on the river. I'll be planning on doing several side trips up the side of the canyon throughout the day.
-------------------------------
This is the second half of the "Romantic Rhine". An amazing day of biking right on the river. I'll be planning on doing several side trips up the side of the canyon throughout the day.
-------------------------------
Plan for Day 12: Mainz to Bacharach: 30.7 miles
Day 12: Mainz to Bacharach
This is a short day, but the plan is to take a lot of side trips throughout the day. I'll be entering the "Romantic Rhine", the section where the Rhine valley narrows down to not much wider than the river, with steep terraced vineyards on both sides and castles all along the crest. Since any side trip will be *up*, I figured a short day would probably be a good idea.
--------------------------------------
This is a short day, but the plan is to take a lot of side trips throughout the day. I'll be entering the "Romantic Rhine", the section where the Rhine valley narrows down to not much wider than the river, with steep terraced vineyards on both sides and castles all along the crest. Since any side trip will be *up*, I figured a short day would probably be a good idea.
--------------------------------------
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Plan for Day 11: Mannheim to Mainz: 47.9 miles
Day 11: Mannheim to Mainz
Finally, the Rhine returns to a single channel with no side lakes, meaning I can actually bike along the bank again. With the Rhine now a full size river with lots of barge and tourist traffic, this should be a very fun day of cycling.
The route takes me past the city of Worms where the famous Diet of Worms took place in 1521. This is where Martin Luther petitioned the Holy Roman Empire to allow him to continue preaching. The response, the Edict of Worms, outlawed Lutheranism in the Holy Roman Empire and forced Luther into hiding.
-------------------------------
Finally, the Rhine returns to a single channel with no side lakes, meaning I can actually bike along the bank again. With the Rhine now a full size river with lots of barge and tourist traffic, this should be a very fun day of cycling.
The route takes me past the city of Worms where the famous Diet of Worms took place in 1521. This is where Martin Luther petitioned the Holy Roman Empire to allow him to continue preaching. The response, the Edict of Worms, outlawed Lutheranism in the Holy Roman Empire and forced Luther into hiding.
-------------------------------
Plan for Day 10: Karlsruhe to Mannheim: 56.8 miles
Day 10: Karlsruhe to Mannheim
A day very similar to the previous one. The Rhine meanders a lot in this region, which will lead to some difficult route finding.
Starting from Karlsruhe, I'll cross over to the left bank and head up to Speyer. The Speyer Cathedral was famous in the middle ages and hosted one of the famous Diets of the Holy Roman Empire in the early days of Martin Luther. I'll continue on to the city of Mannheim, likely reaching it sometime in mid afternoon. That should give some time to explore the old city and the castle.
----------------------------------------
A day very similar to the previous one. The Rhine meanders a lot in this region, which will lead to some difficult route finding.
Starting from Karlsruhe, I'll cross over to the left bank and head up to Speyer. The Speyer Cathedral was famous in the middle ages and hosted one of the famous Diets of the Holy Roman Empire in the early days of Martin Luther. I'll continue on to the city of Mannheim, likely reaching it sometime in mid afternoon. That should give some time to explore the old city and the castle.
----------------------------------------
Plan for Day 9: Kehl to Karlsruhe: 56.3 miles
Day 9: Kehl to Karlsruhe
This day is quite a bit different than my original plan. There just aren't any towns right on the Rhine in this section. Originally that had pushed me towards going all the way to Speyer, about 80 miles. That now seems a bit long, so I've decided to stay away from the Rhine for one night and bike into downtown Karlsruhe.
The shorter distance will now give me time to check out the early modern castle in Rastatt for lunch and then explore the castle in Karlsruhe in the evening.
Even thought the routefinding for this section is actually quite difficult, I've dropped the detailed instructions. I have 2 or 3 books and maps for this section, so I don't really need the text backup.
------------------------------
This day is quite a bit different than my original plan. There just aren't any towns right on the Rhine in this section. Originally that had pushed me towards going all the way to Speyer, about 80 miles. That now seems a bit long, so I've decided to stay away from the Rhine for one night and bike into downtown Karlsruhe.
The shorter distance will now give me time to check out the early modern castle in Rastatt for lunch and then explore the castle in Karlsruhe in the evening.
Even thought the routefinding for this section is actually quite difficult, I've dropped the detailed instructions. I have 2 or 3 books and maps for this section, so I don't really need the text backup.
------------------------------
Plan for Day 8: Rest Day!
Day 8: Rest Day!
Today is a chance to get the clothes clean and to relax in a cafe in Strasbourg. The bike will be in storage at the hotel in Kehl. All transport around Strasbourg will be on foot and by public transportation.
Today is a chance to get the clothes clean and to relax in a cafe in Strasbourg. The bike will be in storage at the hotel in Kehl. All transport around Strasbourg will be on foot and by public transportation.
Plan for Day 7: Breisach to Kehl: 50.0 miles
Day 7: Breisach to Kehl (map included at the end)
Similar to Day 5, this is a fast day along the river. Unlike Day 5, though, this is a bit longer, so I'll probably need to pack a lunch from the hotel. Still, I'd hope to get into Kehl relatively early in the afternoon and start getting settled in for the rest day (laundry, etc).
----------------------------
*) Stay on the right bank.
----------------------------
Similar to Day 5, this is a fast day along the river. Unlike Day 5, though, this is a bit longer, so I'll probably need to pack a lunch from the hotel. Still, I'd hope to get into Kehl relatively early in the afternoon and start getting settled in for the rest day (laundry, etc).
----------------------------
*) Stay on the right bank.
----------------------------
Plan for Day 6: La Route des Vins du Alsace
Day 6: La Route des Vins du Alsace
A true vacation day! Biking around through vineyards during harvest time. No plan. Will play it by ear and follow recommendations from the hotel and local tourist information centers.
A true vacation day! Biking around through vineyards during harvest time. No plan. Will play it by ear and follow recommendations from the hotel and local tourist information centers.
Plan for Day 5: Basel to Breisach: 39.3 miles
Day 5: Basel to Breisach (map included at the end)
A very short day. Actually, a very fast short day. The trail stays on the right bank of the Rhine all the way from Basel to Breisach with almost no interruptions. The goal will be to do basically the entire ride before lunch, grab some food in Breisach, and then spend the afternoon exploring the area. The most likely excursion would be a sidetrip up to Freiburg to check out the cathedral (and the vineyards along the way).
----------------------------------------------
*) Stay on the right bank. It really is that simple.
-----------------------------------------------
A very short day. Actually, a very fast short day. The trail stays on the right bank of the Rhine all the way from Basel to Breisach with almost no interruptions. The goal will be to do basically the entire ride before lunch, grab some food in Breisach, and then spend the afternoon exploring the area. The most likely excursion would be a sidetrip up to Freiburg to check out the cathedral (and the vineyards along the way).
----------------------------------------------
*) Stay on the right bank. It really is that simple.
-----------------------------------------------
Plan for Day 4: Brugg to Basel: 53.4 miles
Day 4: Brugg to Basel (map included at the end)
This day is a bit of a transition. In the morning, I continue down the final stretch of the Aare to Koblenz and the Aare-Rhine confluence. Continuing down the Rhine, I almost immediately pass a huge nuclear power plant right on the river. Past that, the day continues as a mix of rural and industrial down into Basel.
There are two tourist spots near the end of the day that I'll want to hit. First is the Feldschlossen Brewery in Rheinfelden. Feldschlossen is sort of the national beer for Switzerland and the brewery is in a large castle. Definitely worth a stop. The second spot is Augusta Raurica, an old roman ruin just a bit further down the river.
Once I get into Basel, I'll be staying at the Hotel Spalentor right in the downtown area. The plan will be to get into Basel in the early to mid afternoon and have plenty of time to wander back and forth across the river and check out the old city and the cathedral.
----------------------------------------
*) From the train station make your way north towards the old bridge
over the river. Cross the river and turn right on the main street on
the far side.
*) Take the right fork at a Y intersection and continue along the left
bank of the river. Continue on the road as it moves slightly inland.
Stay right at the next Y intersection near a sports complex.
*) Stay on this road as the river curves to the north. When you road
that just came over a bridge, turn left on the road, which then turns
to the north.
*) After a short distance, turn right onto a path by the river.
*) Stay on the path for a short distance before merging back onto the
road.
*) Stay on the road until you hit an intersection where the road
crosses a bridge to the right. Turn left on the road.
*) Stay on the road as it moves inland, through a small town, and then
back to the river. After a little bit, the river will turn left to
the NW and the road will as well. Right at the point where the road
starts moving to the left, turn forward right onto a side road towards
the river.
*) When the road reaches a dam/lock over the river, turn left onto a
path instead of crossing over.
*) Stay on the path for several miles until you hit a bridge crossing
over to the town of Dottingen. Cross over the bridge and make an
immediate left onto the right bank.
*) Stay on the path until you hit the next dam/lock. Turn right
(inland) on the road.
*) Take the first left onto the main road.
*) After passing the Koblenz train station, take a left over the Aare.
Turn right on the first street after the bridge.
*) Turn right, towards the river, on the first road/path.
*) Follow the path to the river and turn left, following the left bank
of the Rhine.
*) Stay as close as possible to the left bank for several miles. When
you hit the bridge in the town of Laufenburg, cross over and make an
immediate left along the right bank.
*) Move left up to the main road (Highway 34). Continue on this for a
short distance. The road will move slightly away from the river and
then slightly back. As it is moving back, take the first forward left
towards the river. Cross over the tracks and continue right along the
right bank.
*) Continue along the right bank for several miles until the river
turns south in the town of Bad Sackingen. Cross over on the bridge
and make an immediate right along the left bank.
*) Stay as close to the left bank as possible for the next several
miles. As the river turns north at one point, the trail will
disappear and you'll be forced to move inland. Stay on the main road.
Once you start entering the town of Rhinefelden, turn right towards
the river.
*) Stay as close to the left bank as possible through Rhinefelden and
on into Basel. As you get closer to Basel, stay on the main road and
work your way towards the Cathedral or the Spalentor Gate. The hotel
is near the gate.
-----------------------------------
This day is a bit of a transition. In the morning, I continue down the final stretch of the Aare to Koblenz and the Aare-Rhine confluence. Continuing down the Rhine, I almost immediately pass a huge nuclear power plant right on the river. Past that, the day continues as a mix of rural and industrial down into Basel.
There are two tourist spots near the end of the day that I'll want to hit. First is the Feldschlossen Brewery in Rheinfelden. Feldschlossen is sort of the national beer for Switzerland and the brewery is in a large castle. Definitely worth a stop. The second spot is Augusta Raurica, an old roman ruin just a bit further down the river.
Once I get into Basel, I'll be staying at the Hotel Spalentor right in the downtown area. The plan will be to get into Basel in the early to mid afternoon and have plenty of time to wander back and forth across the river and check out the old city and the cathedral.
----------------------------------------
*) From the train station make your way north towards the old bridge
over the river. Cross the river and turn right on the main street on
the far side.
*) Take the right fork at a Y intersection and continue along the left
bank of the river. Continue on the road as it moves slightly inland.
Stay right at the next Y intersection near a sports complex.
*) Stay on this road as the river curves to the north. When you road
that just came over a bridge, turn left on the road, which then turns
to the north.
*) After a short distance, turn right onto a path by the river.
*) Stay on the path for a short distance before merging back onto the
road.
*) Stay on the road until you hit an intersection where the road
crosses a bridge to the right. Turn left on the road.
*) Stay on the road as it moves inland, through a small town, and then
back to the river. After a little bit, the river will turn left to
the NW and the road will as well. Right at the point where the road
starts moving to the left, turn forward right onto a side road towards
the river.
*) When the road reaches a dam/lock over the river, turn left onto a
path instead of crossing over.
*) Stay on the path for several miles until you hit a bridge crossing
over to the town of Dottingen. Cross over the bridge and make an
immediate left onto the right bank.
*) Stay on the path until you hit the next dam/lock. Turn right
(inland) on the road.
*) Take the first left onto the main road.
*) After passing the Koblenz train station, take a left over the Aare.
Turn right on the first street after the bridge.
*) Turn right, towards the river, on the first road/path.
*) Follow the path to the river and turn left, following the left bank
of the Rhine.
*) Stay as close as possible to the left bank for several miles. When
you hit the bridge in the town of Laufenburg, cross over and make an
immediate left along the right bank.
*) Move left up to the main road (Highway 34). Continue on this for a
short distance. The road will move slightly away from the river and
then slightly back. As it is moving back, take the first forward left
towards the river. Cross over the tracks and continue right along the
right bank.
*) Continue along the right bank for several miles until the river
turns south in the town of Bad Sackingen. Cross over on the bridge
and make an immediate right along the left bank.
*) Stay as close to the left bank as possible for the next several
miles. As the river turns north at one point, the trail will
disappear and you'll be forced to move inland. Stay on the main road.
Once you start entering the town of Rhinefelden, turn right towards
the river.
*) Stay as close to the left bank as possible through Rhinefelden and
on into Basel. As you get closer to Basel, stay on the main road and
work your way towards the Cathedral or the Spalentor Gate. The hotel
is near the gate.
-----------------------------------
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Plan for Day 3: Solothurn to Brugg: 49.4 miles
Day 3: Solothurn to Brugg (map included at end)
My original intention had been to go all the way to the Rhine on day 3. It turned out, though, that this day is a bit tougher than I thought. That, plus the fact that there aren't any good hotels at the Aare-Rhine confluence meant that it made more sense to stop a bit earlier.
The day starts on dirt paths along the river and pretty much continues in that vein for the rest of the day. There are a bunch of small towns (Wangen an der Aare, Olten, and the final town of Brugg) and one semi-major town (Aarau) along the way. Most of the towns have historic old sections, which could make for some good sightseeing. Brugg is the ancestral home of the Hapsburgs and contains their first castle, from around 1000AD, long before they moved into Austria and founded the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Overall, I expect this day to feel like a true vacation. No major things to check off, just a bike along the river, stopping in cool villages whenever the mood strikes. I don't plan on making reservations at a hotel here before hand, though I've found two near the train station that would be ok.
---------------------------------
*) Leave hotel and turn left. Continue down to the shore of the river
and continue along the shore. After the large bridge, there might be
a one-way section that will force you inland one block for a short
distance. As the river turns to the left, there will start to be a
path along the river. Drop down to the path as soon as possible.
*) Follow the path for a couple miles until a large tributary comes in
from the right. Turn up the tributary.
*) Follow the tributary to the first bridge and work your a way
across. On the far side, find a way back down to the shore. This
might require a loop to the right.
*) Follow the right shore of the tributary back down to the AAre and
continue downstream on the right bank. Continue on the right bank for
several miles, passing through the town of Wangen on der Aare. At the
first bridge after Wangen an der Aare, it will likely be necessary to
drop back inland to the road.
*) Continue along roads and paths along the right bank until the river
makes a sharp turn to the north. At this point, cross over a bridge
to the left bank.
*) Follow the road forward right from the bridge. As it merges into a
road (also forward right), continue. At a U-turn, continue straight
instead.
*) Continue straight on road and path until you get back to the river.
Continue along the left bank. After the bridge across to Aarwangen,
continue on the road as it goes slightly inland. Take the first
right.
*) Stay straight on the road as it heads back to the left bank.
*) Keep right on several roads though a small town. Cross over the
next bridge into the town of Murgenthal.
*) Continue across the bridge to the main street. Turn left.
*) Continue on the main street (Highway 1) into the town of Dietwart.
Continue through town. As the road moves to the right away from the
train tracks, take a forward left onto another main road.
*) Continue through 4 roundabouts and over the main freeway. Take the
first forward left after the last roundabout.
*) Continue on this road into downtown Aarberg (possible lunch stop).
Turn left towards the river and cross over the one bridge. After the
bridge, turn right onto the path along the left bank.
*) Stay on the path as you make your way into Olten. Cross over the
train tracks and then a small tributary, before crossing over the
river in the old bridge. Turn left on the far side and continue down
the right bank.
*) Continue on the road on the right bank as you leave town. Turn off
onto a path along the right bank when the road crosses over the river.
*) Cross over a dam/lock onto an island in the split river. Continue
along the right bank of the canal.
*) Continue along the canal, past a wooden bridge, until the end of
the island. Cross over a bridge back to the left bank. Immediately
turn right and continue down the left bank.
*) Stay right on path/road until the next dam/lock. Cross over the
canal onto the island and continue down the right bank of the canal.
*) Continue to the end of the island and cross back over to the left
bank. Turn right on the far side.
*) Take the first right back towards a bridge. Turn left to stay on
the left bank.
*) Stay on the left bank for the next several miles. On the approach
into Brugg, you'll be forced onto a main road, before crossing over
into town. Follow signs to the train station.
-----------------------------------
My original intention had been to go all the way to the Rhine on day 3. It turned out, though, that this day is a bit tougher than I thought. That, plus the fact that there aren't any good hotels at the Aare-Rhine confluence meant that it made more sense to stop a bit earlier.
The day starts on dirt paths along the river and pretty much continues in that vein for the rest of the day. There are a bunch of small towns (Wangen an der Aare, Olten, and the final town of Brugg) and one semi-major town (Aarau) along the way. Most of the towns have historic old sections, which could make for some good sightseeing. Brugg is the ancestral home of the Hapsburgs and contains their first castle, from around 1000AD, long before they moved into Austria and founded the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Overall, I expect this day to feel like a true vacation. No major things to check off, just a bike along the river, stopping in cool villages whenever the mood strikes. I don't plan on making reservations at a hotel here before hand, though I've found two near the train station that would be ok.
---------------------------------
*) Leave hotel and turn left. Continue down to the shore of the river
and continue along the shore. After the large bridge, there might be
a one-way section that will force you inland one block for a short
distance. As the river turns to the left, there will start to be a
path along the river. Drop down to the path as soon as possible.
*) Follow the path for a couple miles until a large tributary comes in
from the right. Turn up the tributary.
*) Follow the tributary to the first bridge and work your a way
across. On the far side, find a way back down to the shore. This
might require a loop to the right.
*) Follow the right shore of the tributary back down to the AAre and
continue downstream on the right bank. Continue on the right bank for
several miles, passing through the town of Wangen on der Aare. At the
first bridge after Wangen an der Aare, it will likely be necessary to
drop back inland to the road.
*) Continue along roads and paths along the right bank until the river
makes a sharp turn to the north. At this point, cross over a bridge
to the left bank.
*) Follow the road forward right from the bridge. As it merges into a
road (also forward right), continue. At a U-turn, continue straight
instead.
*) Continue straight on road and path until you get back to the river.
Continue along the left bank. After the bridge across to Aarwangen,
continue on the road as it goes slightly inland. Take the first
right.
*) Stay straight on the road as it heads back to the left bank.
*) Keep right on several roads though a small town. Cross over the
next bridge into the town of Murgenthal.
*) Continue across the bridge to the main street. Turn left.
*) Continue on the main street (Highway 1) into the town of Dietwart.
Continue through town. As the road moves to the right away from the
train tracks, take a forward left onto another main road.
*) Continue through 4 roundabouts and over the main freeway. Take the
first forward left after the last roundabout.
*) Continue on this road into downtown Aarberg (possible lunch stop).
Turn left towards the river and cross over the one bridge. After the
bridge, turn right onto the path along the left bank.
*) Stay on the path as you make your way into Olten. Cross over the
train tracks and then a small tributary, before crossing over the
river in the old bridge. Turn left on the far side and continue down
the right bank.
*) Continue on the road on the right bank as you leave town. Turn off
onto a path along the right bank when the road crosses over the river.
*) Cross over a dam/lock onto an island in the split river. Continue
along the right bank of the canal.
*) Continue along the canal, past a wooden bridge, until the end of
the island. Cross over a bridge back to the left bank. Immediately
turn right and continue down the left bank.
*) Stay right on path/road until the next dam/lock. Cross over the
canal onto the island and continue down the right bank of the canal.
*) Continue to the end of the island and cross back over to the left
bank. Turn right on the far side.
*) Take the first right back towards a bridge. Turn left to stay on
the left bank.
*) Stay on the left bank for the next several miles. On the approach
into Brugg, you'll be forced onto a main road, before crossing over
into town. Follow signs to the train station.
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