Day 4

Start:     Blickweiler (Germany)

Finish:    Oberharmersbach  (Germany)

Distance:   108 miles cycled (384 miles total)

Weather:   Hot (with some strong cross winds)

After an early breakfast everyone assembled at the van ready for transfer to the Day 4 starting line on the outskirts of Saarbrücken.  Once out in the countryside, a suitable lay-by was chosen in the village of Blickweiller.  As the four working machines were made ready and their riders prepped, Dan and I made plans to head across the border to France where the language would be less of a barrier to finding out if it was possible to get his bike fixed.  Before the quad set off, an English-speaking passer by was asked if there were any repair shops nearby in the hope of saving some time, and we were directed to one in the neighbouring town of Bliekastel.



Puls Sport - Blieskastel



The shop ‘Puls Sport’ (www.puls-sport.de) looked promising, with lots of good road bikes in the window.  Luckily for us, the guy behind the counter spoke excellent English, and when we explained the emergency situation given the challenge we were undertaking they asked to look at the bike straight away.  Although the suggested solution was fairly simple (heat the twisted piece up and bend it back into shape), it came with a risk of irreparably damaging the frame and putting the bike permanently out of action...

With limited options and itching to rejoin the team as soon as possible, Dan agreed to the repair and we were told to come back in an hour.  So after putting aside a few other bits and pieces requested by the other guys, and a supermarket trip to restock the energy bar and water supplies we were back at the shop with fingers crossed... to find the bike ready and waiting!  The guys in the shop explained the repair and even insisted that there was no charge – wishing us good luck with the rest of the event

Quick food and water stop in Renchen

By the time we caught up with the peloton they had crossed into France, and we joined them in time for a quick lunch at Reipertswiller, in the shadow of Lichtenberg castle.  In late afternoon they crossed the Rhine and were back in Germany with the route taking the POTY tour into the Black Forest National Park.  The day finished with an ascent to 600m and a downhill run into Oberharmersbach  – reaching speeds in excess of 40 mph! 

The climbs have definitely started to get bigger, and in the unseasonal heat they are a particular challenge.  The road transfer to Tennenbronn was an additional 2hrs, so it was already late by the time we all managed to find our way to a restaurant in order to sample some local ‘Schwarzwald’ cuisine!  It has been satisfying to notch a few above the 100 mile mark for the day, making up for some of the earlier frustrations and set-backs.  Same again tomorrow!