It wasn’t raining. None mentioned in the forecast. Grey skies and about 12c when we head out of a very quiet Sankt Vith.

Our overnight did not provide breakfast so Tony walked to a bakery whilst I did the blog.

We needed more food and hoped to grab some along the way.

Leaving town, an interesting statue and close by, information board, milk urns.

Back onto the Vennbahn, and a tunnel. It lights up as you go through. Not particularly long.

Creek from the bridge as we ride to the tunnel.

These signs are every km. So here we are at the 100 km mark. Just 25 km left along this pathway.

Nice rivers.

Interesting sign, translates to “wild garbage, no thanks”.

I have expanded the first part of our route, from the start to Troisvierges. We crossed three countries in this time.

Close to the border with Luxembourg.

I guess we are in Luxembourg. One of the few Grand Dutchy’s remaining, and the EU’s richest per citizen. Its population is small with just under 700,000 people.

We still had some km to complete the trail.

It’s a seriously hilly country as we discovered after coming off the rail trail.

Firstly we found food. We ordered pancakes and mixed fruits at a local cafe with a coffee, and filled the gaps.

Then our day was a series of shorter, sharp climbs interspersed with nasty, shite 18, 22, 24% rises here and there.

Now for me I can’t ride my loaded bike, safely, above 10%. The risk is falling not being able to uncleat my shoes under load.

Just not worth the risk. So I push, and yesterday I did quite a few, short, sharp pushes cursing.

They have multiple signs around with these gradients before you even hit them.

There were some similar descents, and they were ever slow!

In between, there were magnificent views across fields, for a great distance, as the day was glorious.

It was windy, but just a lovely day on the bike.

Climbing….we did a lot today, around 1050 metres, the most this trip. Some done on paths, some on major roads.

Some nice buildings.

Luxembourg might not have mountains but it has the Ardennes. It is known for its forests and valleys and WW2 Battle of the Bulge.

We bypassed the famous Clervaux castle town, as we headed towards the just as famous Vianden.

I did feel intimidated on one major road section. We had just come out of a 22% push and I looked at the road and groaned. Nice road, two lanes, speed limit 130 kmh and a 7% gradient.

No verge! So up I go, making my way to the top with some very fast cars roaring past. Most were good and moved into the left lane giving me good, safe space. A few stayed closer.

At the top a bike path was to the side from a merging road, over a one metre barrier. Lucky Tony is strong enough to lift the bikes over.

The rest of the day, with a few exceptions, was cycle path or quieter roads. Some views.

We climbed to this spot, Tony noting the nice cars. The lookout is at a lake we were to cycle around, but we saw nothing. We both felt water spray though.

Ultimately we descended, it was a great one. Beautiful road seal, through dense forest. Then a window opened.

Vianden castle. High above the town of the same name. Built between the 11th and 14th centuries. Destroyed over time by fire, earthquake, neglect then sold off for its parts, it was restored in the late 1970’s by the state.

Victor Hugo (French author, playwright etc, Hunchback of NotreDam), lived here for three months in the in the 1870’s . He is celebrated in town still.

Looking down across the town.

This area was the last place in Luxembourg to be freed from the Germans, by the USA, in WW2. It is celebrated at this vantage point.

In the town, so many cobbles. The town must have got a good deal as my brain and teeth rattled. The cobbles went on and on.

Interesting statues.

Nice river.

A Victor Hugo named building.

More river.

We left town, ended up in a rural hilly area again. These cows have wonderful pastures.

Lovely camping spots.

We ended up following the river for the last 8-10 km. We past a service station and grabbed a cool icy pole product, and cold drinks. It was 24c, and we really enjoyed them.

Fancy homes by the river.

What a day. 97 km, 1053 m climbing, is a solid bike touring day.

We are staying in a larger resort just out of Echternach, up a hill!!

I’d booked and paid for half board, so including dinner. It took 2 hours for 5 courses (3 courses very small size so fitted ok). The meal was delicious, overlooking some wedding celebrations.

Another great place.

I think Luxembourg is definitely an interesting cycling destination.

Today I finally felt I was feeling healthy again. Hooray ❣️😊