Magdeberg to Dessau

May 26 2023

This morning we all ate our breakfasts separately as we wanted to do a picnic lunch along the way which meant that we had to go out and find stuff for breakfast and lunch.  ken and I went to the large supermarket across the street from our hotel the night before and picked up our breakfast and lunch the night before.  At 8:00 am there we were in the lobby and ready to push off.  

Bob and I had looked at the route the night before and agreed that I would use the Garmin route out of the city and the Garmin route to the hotel in Dessau and he would lead the ride in between.  Bob has studied this route extensively and is really good at  reading the map on the fly.  I loaded the Garmin route from the hotel and within a kms we were on the river path way and I turned the lead over to Bob.   

The day was absolutely perfect nice blue sky with temperatures around 15C and a very nice tail wind to help us along.  The path way was highly variable with it going from really rough cobble stones to loose dirt to incredibly smooth concrete.  The 40 mm tires at 55 psig sure helps on the cobble stones.  I don't think you could ride it on 25 mm tires at 100 psig.  

We sailed along and found a little village at 10:30 am where we sat and had a quick coffee.  Although I had a coke and a chocolate bar from my lunch.  Feeling re-energized we we off.  

My Garmin route had been originally set at 71 kms but Bob's route was closer to 78 but as it was so nice I was glad to get the extra kms in.  It was great fun just gliding along through the country side, passing little villages with interesting architecture. We saw a very grand chateau which was in need of repair.  A very strange round tower.  

At about 12:30 we came to a cross roads and there was a picnic table so we stopped to eat our lunch. A stork was perched on her nest above our heads but didn't seem to mind us eating our lunch.

A little further down the was we crossed the river on a ferry.  It was absolutely perfect timing as we rolled down and on to the ferry just as it was about to cross the river. 

When we got to the other side the sign post said the we still had 14 kms to go, which meant the the distance was going to be around 85 kms making today our longest day yet.

When we got close to town I turned the Garmin back on to lead us into the hotel.  It took a little searching around but Bob got us to within about 3 kms and Garmin found the route and took us straight to the hotel.  Tonight I get the single room which is very nice.  A very modern and luxury hotel.  

What a great day!

Terry