Biking on the Moesel river

[henk]

Hello everyone,

Been away for a couple of day's to the river Moesel in Germany. Made a ride from 170 km on the bike in four day's.
We made some new friends and seen beautiful things and had a lot of fun. We started at Trier and ended at Moselkern.

For anyone who wants to see our pictures: http://www.mijnalbum.nl/Album=HMSL8X8T

[Mark]

Henk, You all have some beautiful places in Europe. What kind of plants are those growing straight down from the top of the hills. Looks like that would cause erosion of the ground. We wouldn't be able to plant like that it would wash away all the topsoil.
I would have saddle sores all over my butt if I rode like that. Here where I live there's to many hills. I'd rather ride the bike that has a motor on it. It's good exercise though, you folks must be in tip top shape.
Once again you send us some beautiful pictures.
Thanks

[Bensdexta]

Been away for a couple of day's to the river Moesel in Germany. Made a ride from 170 km on the bike in four day's.
We made some new friends and seen beautiful things and had a lot of fun. We started at Trier and ended at Moselkern.

Looks like fun! And lots of local wine too, but don't wobble on the bikes!
Did you bike as a group, with your bags going by car, or even by tractor?
Thanks for the great pics,
Ben

[henk]

Mark and Ben,

Ben gave the answer away. Those are vineyards. The Moezel is famous about there Riesling wine. Personally I don't drink wine but love beer. And German beer is excellent.

They use small tractors, many very old like Deutz and Fendt one or two cylinders with air cooled engines. They use a winch that is mounted at the back or side of the tractor. To work the ground they pull a cultivator or plough up with the winch. Also cutting is now done with machines and they use the winch also. At flatter vineyards they use the tractor it self.

Our bags were brought to the next hotel every day and we biked about 40 to 45 km. Seems far but at a speed of 18 km/h it is 2.5 hour biking. Starting about 9.30 u and arriving at 5.00 at the next hotel, there was plenty of time to see thinks eat and drink and rest during the day. I use a special biking trouser and that worked very well for saddle pain. We biked alone, but you keep meeting the other bikers during the day and evening.
Would be nice though to make such a trip with a couple of tractors.

[Bensdexta]

Those are vineyards. The Moezel is famous about there Riesling wine.

Ref Mark's point about soil erosion, do you know the preferred orientation for vineyard rows? I read that North-South is good because it gives more even sunlight than East-West. However from your pics it looks like the rows mostly run up and down the slope - I wonder why this is? Maybe all the slopes are South facing

Would be nice though to make such a trip with a couple of tractors.

A couple of tractors would go well with bikes, not much difference in speed and anyone needing a rest from pedalling could easily get a lift. We'll have to try it!
All the best,
Ben

[henk]

Hello Ben,

The vineyards were mostly on both side of the river, so as well on the south and north side. But the slopes on the north side were also used even when it was much steeper. So I guess that's the best side. The river turn very sharp so and sometimes your almost going backwards. I've seen at one part of the river the rows were horizontal instead of vertical. Don't know why. Much harder to work on it with machines but because of the steps easier to work on foot. It's a hard job picking those grapes at hand.
The steep slopes are gravel and the flat parts are dirt. Stone keeps the warmth inside and keeps the vineyard warm at night. I'm told this is the best.

[Frans]

Hello Henk,

And again we did not meet, but the river Rhein is not far away from there (moesel)were I was (pictures comming) also from some old vineyard tractors witch I saw on a meeting overthere, what I have seen on the meosel and the rhein are old 60th deutz like D 15 D25 and still working on the vineyards ( Its a hard live I think)

regards Frans

[henk]

Pity Frans,

Were you there by car?
Your right about the tractors. Next to those I have seen a Hela, Kramer, Hanomag and a Wahl. And lots of Eichers and Fendt. A modern tractor was the Dexheimer. Also seen a Green Renault Dionis 120. That must of been bought right after the take over by Claas.
At a place called Kröv theres a club. They have a show every two years. Not this year.

[Frans]

Hello Henk,

I was there by car, maybe in a few years when the kids are older I take the bike with me

I put some pictures in another post

I went to Kröv in 2002 when we where on holday at the moesel river but oure oldest girl was 2 years old and it was abouth 40 degrees cecius so whe went for a fast round on the yard, I can say if we go there again I will defenitly go there as well.
I must have a few pics but where....