The ride today was touted as the Route des Vins – the Wine Route – from Colmar to Eguisheim and back into Colmar for a total of 20 miles. This shorter ride was planned to allow time to explore Colmar in the afternoon and also to give us a chance to explore wine cellars along the route.

I didn’t ride today mainly because the ride included about a 1,000 foot climb with some 10% gradient and I have a hip replacement. But Ross made the circuit in very warm weather while I roamed around Colmar on foot.

Anyway, today was a 20 – mile day with a potential stop at a bicycle shop as well as a visit to Eguisheim, voted one of the “Most Beautiful Villages” in France.

An early morning section of the ride with hills looming nearby.

Today was also a stork sighting day; this one’s nest was way up on a rooftop in Hattstatt, one of the small villages they rode through.

Next came the hill which Ross said he tackled mostly in Turbo and a low gear, just grinding his way along. Midway up was the town of Gueberschwihr, a place for a bathroom break at a relatively level spot on the long hill.

At the top of the hill he said most of the riders stopped for a breather and photo op and to take in this view over the Rhine plain to the edge of the Black Forest.

After 13 miles they arrive in Eguisheim at the largest winery in the area. And again, this is Riesling country. When I worry about my spelling, Ross reminds me that in German, the first vowel walks and the second one talks. So Riesling.

And another stork nest high up on a church.

Part of the village area.

Another area of the village, with interestingly, an American flag.There continues to be gratitude with what American soldiers did during World War II so perhaps this is part of that.

The narrow building below is the Le Pigeonnier, the pigeon house, and is the most photographed building in Eguisheim. Culinary pigeons were previously bred and kept here.

Continuing on, several of the riders stopped at the Bike and Run’in – Veloland along the route where Ross was able to purchase an Alsace jersey.

I spent my day wandering around the town, checking out a few shops, including this one selling nougat.

Dinner that night was on our own and we chose an outdoor restaurant near our Colmar hotel.

Don’t remember what I had to eat but it was a very pleasant meal.

The highlight was, of course, dessert. Profiteroles. Another hilly day awaits us tomorrow as we head out of Colmar for our next hotel.