We start today’s ride in the fog. A fog so thick we cannot see more than a block away. Once out of Horsens, it almost feels like we are in a horror movie.
Fog outside Horsens
The fog eventually burns off and we have bright blue skies and sun. Murray laid our route to Middelfart and tried to keep us off the highways. We ride through the countryside and the terrain becomes quite rolling. It seems we hardly ever ride on flat terrain, we go either up slow as snails or down zooming.
Bjerre Molle (Bjerre Mill)
A highlight of the day is the Bjerre Mill. It was built in 1860 and is the only preserved tiled windmill in Denmark. We have seen other windmills but they have had wooden sides, not tiled ones.
As we approach Vejle, we miss a turn and ride down a steep hill next to a combined school, boarding school and college. At the bottom, we chat with a fellow who teaches there who helps us to get unlost. Unfortunately, we have to ride back up the hill. It is long and Murray figures it is over 10% grade. Little did we know that will not be the first steep hill we will encounter on the rest of our ride.
Near Vejle
We are once again on our way and soon find ourselves on a gravel trail riding through a forested park. At one point we have to push our bikes up a hill and down the other side as it is too steep to ride. Then we come across a short, steep and loose gravelly pitch. Murray manages to ride up it. I get half way up, spin out my back tire, ride all over the place emitting this primal scream, get up the pitch and end up in the green stuff. Somehow I stay upright and get my foot out of the pedal clip, ditch my bike and have a good cry.
We eventually find the pavement and once again are subjected to a long steep climb. We ride through Vejle and marvel at the architecture. The photo below is a new residential complex. I would live there!
Bolgen (The Wave), Vejle
Getting out of Vejle, we are again climbing a long steep grade. This one is +10% and is about a km long. At the top, we stop for a much deserved treat and to share a Coke.
We ride the highway to Middelfart (mostly in a bike lane) and the terrain is still rolling and the ups are long and the downs are fast. We reach Middelfart and fate has one more long steep climb waiting for us, which we spin slowly up. Well, to be truthfull, I spin slowly up it going about 7 kph, whereas Murray does a much better job and has to wait for me at the top.
Middelfart
We are now ensconced in our lovely B&B after eating large amounts of yummy pasta. I do not plan to get off my bed till morning when my legs have to get me to Odense.
Middelfart