ブールジュでののおすすめグラベルライド

In the proverbial "good old days," this (former) windmill, prominently positioned on the hill and clearly visible from afar, must have made a profound impression on the viewer. However, this changed long ago: Only the ruined remains of the once proudly towering tower with its once sweeping wings remain as a sad testament to that bygone era. Today's visitors probably enjoy less the sight of the ruins than—at least in good weather—the beautiful view of the wide plains that unfold before them.

Cycle path on old railway line

Only the two wooden beams form a cross in its simplest form. And yet, this small, sacred monument—like all crosses encountered by bikers along the way—is an essential Christian symbol. It stands for the memory of his crucifixion, but at the same time also for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The important founder of the order, Bernard of Clairvaux, said: + "With us on earth, there is His memory, but in the kingdom of heaven is His presence: This presence is the joy of those who have already attained salvation. The memory is our consolation, as we are still wanderers, traveling toward the Fatherland."

It is presumably a former "chemin de halage" (in German "treidelpfad" or "leinpfad"), which runs alongside the canal's bed. In earlier times, such a path was an essential part of the transport infrastructure. Before ships could be powered by motors, horses walked along the bank, pulling the boat against the current. This was called "treideln" (pulling), and this is how the towpaths got their name, which has been passed down to this day. Where these paths, which run close to the bank, have been preserved, they are popular with hikers, walkers, joggers, and cyclists.

During the construction of the canals, which were a very important part of the transport infrastructure back then (in times long past), the major challenge was the (sometimes considerable) elevation differences that had to be overcome. In most cases, simple locks were built for this purpose, as here. In a few cases, however, another solution had to be found: a so-called "boat lift." Perhaps the most impressive example of the engineering skills of that time is located in the Belgian region of Hainaut; the facility there is even listed as an industrial monument on the UNESCO World Heritage List. If you are interested, see =>> https://www.komoot.com/de-de/highlight/1404808

The starting point of the Loire cycle path is apparently so beautiful that there are two of them. However, if you look more closely at the location in the komoot system, the two points are a dozen kilometers apart. If you're interested, see also =>> https://www.komoot.com/de-de/highlight/556578

suitable for all-terrain cycling

The beautiful bridge leads over the Loire directly to Nevers.