... Koblenz to Mönchengladbach

Time: 13:40
Location: Koblenz and on the train to Mönchengladbach

If I could've stayed on the train to Köln. The scheduled time of arrival in Mönchengladbach would have been 15:20. In stead, I arrived in Koblenz at 13:11 and managed to catch the direct train to Mönchengladbach at 13:18.

Time: 15:08
Location: Köln (train has a small delay here)

Really tired at the moment. I haven't eaten anything decent because I did not carry enough cash with me on the train. Half of the items provided on the previous train were not available. A plastic-wrapped croissant was even an option to me, despite it being the least preferable, yet only affordable choice. Maybe the boredom is also contributing to feeling so tired. If only I would have taken a book with me on this trip...

Time: ca 16:00
Location: Mönchengladbach Hauptbahnhof (outside)

I had to wait until 16:20 and - to be honest - I was really tired of waiting. I've decided to cycle from Mönchengladbach to Venlo. This route was not part of my plan and, as often turns out, I've done something unplanned, which eventually backfired in a chain of events. Using google maps, I'll somewhat explain the route to Venlo.

Note: this was the ideal route. I could have made a few minor detours.

After cycling a bit through the city centre of M.Gladbach, I've taken the Bundesstrasse to Viersen and at some point turned left towards Dülken. At what point I've taken a left turn is unclear, as I did not have anything documented. If only I had charged my smart phone and prepared for this route. Anyway, I've passed Dülken, Boisheim, Breyell and Kaldenkirchen on my way to Venlo (34,3 km).

In the Netherlands, I drank a beer and watched the World Cup match between Germany and the United States. After the game, I've decided to cycle towards Maastricht over Roermond. My decision was based on the premise that big cities have affordable hostels.

Time: 21:18
Location: the exact moment I left Reuver

If you make pictures on a cell phone, it is possible to see the time it is created. This is ideal to determine my position and the time at the moment the picture was taken. My phone is still charged a bit, although it indicates it has less than 20 %.

This is a typical dutch cycle path. Notice how perfect the asphalt is. Out of the 4 countries I've cycled extensively already, the Netherlands has the best paths.

Look at this awesome panorama. Really different from Landkreis Viersen (Landkreis = constituency) even though it is only 35 km apart.

I can almost see the sign.

Woohoo. Made it.

Time: 21:28
Location: Roermond

I've finally reached Roermond and passed a sign saying 'Maastricht 79'. Being aware of the time (21:28), I knew I would have to peddle another 2,5 h without a taking a break to reach Maastricht. Not only would I be utterly exhausted, it would also be unlikely to still find an affordable room there. That being said, I have decided to take the train from Roermond to Maastricht. I hope I won't have to do this on my actual trip from Eupen to Regensburg.

The bridge going to the city centre of Remunj (Roermond).

Small side note: before reaching the station, I've looked for an affordable room in Roermond. Only expensive hotels and over-priced bed & breakfast could be found in Roermond.

Venlo to Roemond (+24,6 km)
58,9 km

Before getting on the train.

On the train to Maastricht. Time: 23:03

Time: 23:36 in Maastricht. I was cycling over a bridge on my way to the "Stay Okay". Rooms cost 28,- per night, which is kind of pricey for a hostel but a good price for a single room. Not sure what I would have gotten.

I went to the hostel and asked if there was a vacant room. "Nope". Some school class was staying over, so the Stay Okay in Maastricht was booked full. The reception bloke recommended another "hostel" nearby and it wasn't really a hostel like you would expect. It wasn't a building, like most hostels are, but actually a shabby boat. Rooms were 35 €/night and it looked like I was going to stay here for the night. I couldn't pay with a normal bankcard here, so I had to look for an ATM nearby.

In stead of taking the obvious choice, I let myself get side-tracked by looking for an ATM to pay for the night. I thought if I'd peddle a bit towards Tongeren, I'd soon find a bank. It was at the same time a long term strategy to start looking for a route to take the next day. The receptionist from the shabby boat assured me he was awake all night, which contributed to the thought that I could have gone a bit further along the road to Belgium without risking my chances on a room.

I have already passed a  a sign with "Tongeren 15", an "now entering Belgium/Flander" sign and a sign of a municipality called 'Riemst'.

 Time: 0:39

Tongeren straight ahead. Before going to Tongeren, I've decided to drink a beer first.

This is the casual pub you'll see in Belgian villages. All the colours are sort of brownish and the tables are as wobbly as they look. The beer is very good though. It has to be mentioned that drinking Belgian's special beers is an overwhelming experience for those unfamiliar with strong beers. I drank a normal 'pintje' though (=lager).

Cafe Reynaert in Riemst I think.

Millen (Riemst)

Millen in Riemst in Limburg in Flandern - and as part of the Dutch language community - in Belgium

 Time: 1:10

Genoelselderen

 Time 1:18

Reached Tongeren at: 1:38.

Last city that I'll reach today. Really tired at the moment. Arrived at 1:38, cycled 77,6 km (18,7 km + 58,9 km). Crossed 3 different borders. Now only boredom awaits.

Time: 1:38

Entering Tongeren. You'll enter the city going downhill super fast.

This is really a bummer. Time: 1:43
I actually took the train 20 minutes earlier than the one displayed here. The train at 5:30 went to Brussel, where I could transfer.

I did not bother to look for a hotel or hostel. It was not really worth it anymore. To pass time, I cycled a bit through the city.
Nothing really going on anywhere besides on the Grand Square (Grote Markt), where a handful of pubs were open for the whole night. Here a picture of the church in Tongeren, the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwebasiliek (German: Liebfrauenbasilika).

Some kind of super hero with a special kind of axe. No idea actually.

Photo of another beer in a pub in Tongeren. I sat at a table, ordered a beer and charged my cell phone. At some point I finally succumbed to my need to sleep and, after what seemed like mere seconds, the bartender wakes me up. She has a mad expression and stares at me with contempt, as if I were a light-weight and a dishonor to her pub. Her stare seemed to indicate that it was time for me to go home. I drank another beer and left this pub.

For details regarding this statue, you can browse the Tongeren website. There are so many statues in Belgium, that I just do not care. If you do take an interest in statues, feel free to use google. Good luck!

Tongeren flag.

Sitting on a bench at the train station. This is incredibly boring, trust me. For my actual trip from Eupen to Regensburg, I have to take into account, based on what I've learned today, that not all cities have low budget hostels. Only in the bigger cities, you have a chance of finding something affordable. Next trip I'll plan hostels beforehand (hindsight note: I didn't do it).

Time: 4:54
Train will come in 20 minutes. I got on the train and slept until the conductor woke me up in Brussel.