Zoiglland (English)

We had a little getaway in late October 2006, our last big bike ride of the season. We took the train from Erlangen to Weiherhammer (through Nürnberg), and we picked out a hilly route to Windescheschenbach and Falkenberg through a couple of nice stretches of forest (map, split up: 1,2,3 Overview map--Nürnberg l. l., Bamberg u. l.). The ride was indeed great--thanks to the weather, and challenging--thanks to the hilliness. If it'd been colder, we probably wouldn't have made it to Falkenberg.

A few photos:
Neunkirchen bei Weiden with Parkstein in the distance. The forest south of Windescheschenbach 1, 2. Windescheschenbach vom Westen, just before the 140m descent into town. Just prior to that, we passed this older lady as she was out toiling uphill along a lonely stretch of country road...where to, we had no idea. Despite the exertion of her climb, she of course gave us a heart-felt "Grüß Gott!"

Finally in Falkenberg, after almost 50km, we treated ourselves to a couple of Seidla(s) of good Falkenberger Zoigl. It was hoppy and dry, and perhaps it tasted better than it would've, had we not arrived via a 3 hour bike ride. What's special about Falkenberg is the castle, which looms above the brewhouse. 1, 2, 3 (Brauhaus on the right)

Then back to Windescheschenbach in a race againstthe sunset, with a break in Neuhaus to quaff Schoilmichel's Zoiglbier, which, unfortunately was sour and ended up being used as plant food. The parlour was packed and much too stuffy for us--but barely smokey at all, so we stayed outside, to the locals' astonishment. 1, 2, 3 (I forget what the Zoigl star is called.)

We dined in the famous Zoigl-Hotel in W'bach, where the food is highly recommended, and the beer not at all bad. After that, off to one of the other Zoigl houses which were open on that weekend, before we took the train back home. Oh yeah, the arrival in Nürnberg was so late --owing to a problem with the train-- that Die Bahn sent us home in a taxi, as we'd missed the last train to Erlangen. We had to go back and get our bikes the next day...