Years ago, Volkswagen told you Germany was the land of fahr vergnugen. Well, it's also the land of fahrrad vergnugen: biking pleasure. And maybe even a little eisenbahn vergnugen: railroad pleasure.

GABA members Linda Matson and Bill Sievers traveled the vicinity of Stuttgart for two weeks in late August and early September 2010. The number of options for bicycling in Germany is overwhelming, but in the end they designed an almost-loop using four connecting river paths – the Neckar, the Rhine, the Mosel and the Saar. They planned to hop a train in Saarbrucken to return to Stuttgart, but halfway up the Mosel at Bernkastel-Kues the rains came, and they ended up traveling back to Stuttgart using a bike bus and four trains.

The German rail system is extremely efficient and many people travel with their bikes. But when you’re not entirely familiar with the system, trying to board a train with a fully-loaded bike can drive you straight into the kniepe (bar) for a relaxing drink. One time Linda and Bill got on the wrong train going in the wrong direction. Another time when they got on a car that was not the bike car, the train was held up while the conductor publicly scolded them. They would have felt bad, except that he scolded them in German and they didn’t realize he was addressing them until someone told them. Sometimes there are benefits to not mastering the local language!

Some people will tell you that Germans tend to be reserved. Not so: the culture is different, and Germans ordinarily mind their own business and keep to themselves, but whenever Linda and Bill needed help or directions, people were extremely helpful once asked. If you want everything to be exactly like it is in the USA, save on airfare and go riding in Kansas.

And if you think Germans are strait-laced, Linda will tell you the story of the shake-down ride they took on the first day. After assembling the bikes, bleary-eyed from lack of sleep, they happened onto an upscale Biergarten in Stuttgart's Schlossgarten. Older German couples were dressed nicely (the men in lederhosen), dancing to the sounds of a traditional oompah band. Then suddenly the music broke into Queen's "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and Lionel Ritchie's "All Night Long".

Mark your calendar for Monday, June 4, 2012 at 7pm in the Pima County Medical Society building at 5199 E Farness Dr. As always, refreshments will be served. In honor of the topic, this month we will have something that everybody associates with Germany (no, it's not sauerkraut or bratwurst, but it is something you drink.)

What are your plans this Memorial Day Weekend? If you are still 'thinking about it', consider the following ... you could sign up for GABA's Luna Lake Tour and ride in the lush and scenic White Mountain country for three full days!

This, one of GABA's most popular rides, begins and ends in Springerville, AZ. The course winds you over lightly traveled and through picturesque areas of eastern New Mexico. Moderate pedaling skills will provide you with a truly enjoyable experience.

This fully supported ride will provide for your ride and camping gear and offers ride assistance when needed. Daily food and rest stops will keep you fueled and ready for each new leg of the route.

Click HERE for more information and to register online at www.bikegaba.org or mail in your registration form to the GABA PO Box 43273, Tucson, AZ 85733.

Click HERE to download the mail-in registration form. Click HERE to download the waiver form

We are looking forward to your return visit or meeting you for the first time on this GABA experience!

To learn more about the ride and further details check out the Update article and registration form, or contact Ride Organizers Rhonda Smith 520-886-2919 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Janet Landis 520-358-2612 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .