Jenny & Ahmed's Cycling Adventure

Paths 2 The Soul - Episode 003

From Saint-Blaise-la-Roche to Titisee-Neustadt (19 to 26 March 2025)

Countries Visited:

The journey continues…

After several weeks of rest, work, and emotional preparation in Alsace, the road calls us once again. From the warmth of loved ones to the snow-covered heights of the Black Forest, we enter a new phase of our adventure, one shaped by steep climbs, deep reflection, and moments of unexpected peace. This stage reminds us that the path to the unknown is not only a test of strength, but also a gift of clarity...

The day of the second great departure, goodbye Alsace, hello Road.
Saint-Blaise-La-Roche → Heidolsheim - 42.2 km 🚴 

After 47 days in the family cocoon in Alsace, the long-awaited (and dreaded) moment has arrived. With hearts a bit heavy and panniers filled to the brim, we leave Saint-Blaise-La-Roche to begin the long journey toward Greece. The farewell is gentle and emotional: last glances, last photos with Renée, Dragi, and Marion, and a silent prayer to the Virgin Mary to watch over us. The first pedal strokes are a bit chaotic, our bikes are heavily loaded, and we have to find our balance again… But the sun is with us, and our legs gradually find their rhythm. The descent from the Steige Pass is magnificent, and entering the Val de Villé is as enchanting as ever. We pass through picturesque villages, take a sunny break in the Scherwiller Forest, and cross a charming village with the air of a little Venice… and then comes the return to reality with the traffic of Sélestat. Despite the noise and stress, we keep going. And finally, we arrive at Richard’s, our host for the evening, warm, welcoming, and passionate about nature. It’s a true joy to share with him and his wife Françoise, a typical Alsatian dinner (Bibeleskäs and Munster!), conversations about travel, gardening, Japan, and Korea… All of it in a renovated farmhouse full of soul, with a Buddha in the garden and a walnut tree that Richard is trying to save. The evening ends late… Jenny wakes up briefly around 3:30 am, tempted once again by a chocolate chip brioche. First kilometers, first emotions, first connections on the road: this day marks the true beginning of our big adventure.

From Alsace to Germany, spring opens its arms to us...

Heidolsheim → Burg-Birkenhof – 57.8 km 🚴

The departure from Richard’s place is gentle, under a still shy sky. We chat, we linger a bit… it must be said we felt good there. But the call of the road is there, and off we go toward Germany, already our fourth country! After the impressive crossing of the Marckolsheim dam, we cross the border. The sun arrives just at that moment, the light is perfect, and we fully savour this freedom we have given ourselves. We think about what we’ve left behind, our former daily life, and we realise just how much of a gift this journey is. The day continues under a warmer and warmer sky. The landscapes are sublime: peaceful villages, vineyards, hills to climb on foot while pushing our bikes, and the first signs of spring everywhere, buds, violets, forsythias… Nature is celebrating. But Ramadan fasting makes each climb tougher, each effort more intense. We dream of a simple glass of water. We follow a magnificent cascading river, dip our feet, and an American climber comes to meet us: conversations, encounters, they arise when you least expect them. Then comes Freiburg, which we cross almost without realising it: the bike path glides through the heart of the city like a magical thread between water and streets. As the day goes on, thirst grows stronger, our bodies slower. The final kilometres are a challenge on a gentle slope, but the arrival is beautiful. Our host Isam and his daughters welcome us warmly into their bright home, full of taste and harmony. The vegetarian meal is a delight, the conversations are simple and profound. We feel the love that fills this family. His wife joins us later in the evening after a long workday. The girls head upstairs early to study, Isam takes care of everything, and we, we feel at home. We fall asleep in a room designed by an architect, lying side by side on a small mattress, our hearts full of gratitude. Our journey is also that: walking toward the unknown and finding, each day, a little corner of peace.

From the warmth of a home to the snow of the Black Forest, a serious challenge!

Burg-Birkenhof → Titisee-Neustadt - 37.9 km 🚴

That morning, we leave Isam and his family’s home with emotion. Their kindness and the harmony of their household deeply touched us. Isam, who practices Ramadan fasting and is passionate about running, inspires us with his simplicity and quiet strength. After a souvenir photo, it’s time to hit the road again.

Three routes are available to us. Of course, we (Jenny that is 🤣) choose the hardest one, a mountain pass to climb with 900 metres of elevation gain up to Lake Feldsee. The scenery is magnificent, the hamlets seem frozen in time, wooden houses, alpacas, flowers… It feels like a storybook or an old TV series. But soon, the slope becomes too steep to pedal. Step by step, with sheer willpower, we push our fully loaded bikes on foot.

Snow appears at 1000 m altitude. The path becomes slippery, and every effort is magnified. We encounter lovestruck frogs, elusive deer, a few surprised hikers… and a lost cyclist. The climb feels endless, but the beauty of the landscape drives us onward. At the top, everything is covered in snow. The descent is just as technical as the climb, with 21% slopes! Then the view opens up, the sun returns, and Lake Feldsee takes our breath away. Its surface is still frozen, with only the edges beginning to thaw.

The final kilometres are downhill, a real pleasure. We finally reach Titisee and its large lake, but the shops are closed. We ride 5 km further to find food, legs like jelly and stomachs empty. At 7:15 pm, we finally reach our guesthouse. Ulrike, our host, welcomes us warmly and with great kindness; she’s very moved by our journey.

After a well-deserved meal and a delicious tea, fatigue hits hard. We head straight to bed, our bodies tired and our minds at peace. Tomorrow, a new stage awaits us... There’s still a lot of planning to do for the next part of the adventure, so back to work 😉

A few days of work and rest at Ulrike’s amazing cottage in Titisee-Neustadt - Day 1

From the moment we wake up, we feel privileged. This apartment in Titisee is a true gem, spacious, impeccably designed, bathed in light, and thought out down to the smallest detail. Everything is practical, beautiful, and well cared for. A real wooden cocoon, where even the power sockets seem to have been placed with love!
But today, no cycling is planned. It’s a day for work and preparation. We draw up our to-do list and start making progress, even though the task feels huge. Ahmed regrets our lack of anticipation, but we do our best. The hours fly by.
Around 3 p.m., we allow ourselves a well-deserved break and walk to the town centre and Titisee Lake. The atmosphere is calm, even if the souvenir shops are overflowing with Black Forest-branded products: cold cuts, schnapps, jams, gnomes, and customizable mugs. We resist… or almost: a sausage, a cherry-kirsch jam, and a generous slice of cinnamon roll will be our little joy.
The lake is magnificent, bordered by wooded hills. Mallards bathe, undisturbed by our presence. On the way back, we stop for some groceries, trying to stick to our daily budget. Not easy, but we stay on course.
We return on foot in the golden evening light: a 12 km walk in total. We prepare a delicious dinner: tomato-arugula salad, penne with yellow pesto, sautéed vegetables, yogurt, cinnamon roll, Prince biscuits, and a good cup of tea.
A call from Lyla and Marion ends the day… Strategy can wait until tomorrow. Tonight, we fall asleep early, exhausted but at peace.

Titisee-Neustadt - Day 2

The day starts with a treat: Greek yogurt and homemade cherry jam with eau-de-vie. We still feel privileged in this well-equipped apartment and take advantage of the setting to make real progress on our organisation. It’s our second day of work, and this time, no postponing the strategy, it's time for a proper meeting!

Ahmed woke up early and jumped straight into route planning and messages while I did a hand wash in our drybag. Surprisingly efficient and pretty eco-friendly, the laundry finishes drying in the boiler room. We divide up the tasks: Ahmed improves his bike, installs the horn, thinks about our flags, and prepares a video for aloSIM while I work on a thank-you video.

Around 2 p.m., we take a break in nature. We climb the hill behind the cottage, without a set path, to test our gear and get some fresh air. The landscape is wide, green, bordered by towering fir trees. In the forest, the atmosphere becomes cool and calming. We emerge on the other side, scattered with isolated farms that have a timeless charm. We spot frog eggs, hunting cats, an old well… every detail feels suspended in time.

Back at Ulrike's cottage, but no rest for Jenny, it’s dandelion-picking time. A simple, nostalgic pleasure. Dinner will be local and creative: Red peppers slow-cooked with garlic and onion, penne in olive oil, and a homemade dandelion salad with hard-boiled eggs, tomatoes, and mustard-onion vinaigrette. A real delight.

The evening is shared between video editing, quick glances at TV5 Monde (thank you “Questions pour un champion”), a call to Mama, and watching the Lebanese film Caramel, which moves us both. A lovely, suspended moment before a well-deserved rest day tomorrow… in Paradise.

Titisee-Neustadt - Days 3, 4 and 5

Today, a break in every sense of the word. We pause the Ramadan fast… and treat ourselves to a full day of relaxation at the Badeparadies, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.! A surprise Ahmed had kept from me, and what a surprise…

Jenny wakes-up at 4 a.m. to keep some rhythm going, then we pack our things: swimsuits, toiletry kits… The centre is just a 10-minute walk from the cottage, perfect. At opening time, we discover a true haven of peace under a glass roof, filled with palm trees, orchids, pools, and 20 themed saunas. Thanks to the magic wristband, we can move freely between different worlds. And the cherry on top: Ahmed booked a private alcove so we can rest there all day between baths.

We savour every moment: mineral baths (calcium, salt, lithium...), indoor and outdoor pools, hammam, cold baths, and especially the sauna rituals like "gentle morning", "Diamanten Traum" aromatherapy, or the beauty mask. We also alternate with naps, reading, and fresh juice sipped at the pool bar. We briefly test the “Palm Oasis” area, more family-friendly, but quickly return to the calm of the adult-only Vital Palace.

Our bodies melt into relaxation, our minds at peace.

In the evening, we return to the cottage with big appetites. We throw together a simple but delicious dinner with what’s left: Ramyeon, eggs, dandelion and tomato salad, bread, and the last Prince biscuits we have left. We end the day with a bit of laundry and some video work. Night falls… and we fall asleep after midnight, heart light.

Some might imagine us struggling on a lost trail… but in truth, we’re living our second day of pure well-being at the Badeparadies, this magnificent surprise planned by Ahmed. Before diving back into the pools, a few tasks await: Ahmed on the tablet, Jenny on a morning run to Edeka (Local Aldi), through thick fog. On a bike (unloaded, what a joy!), it's almost feeling like different person all together. shopping down to the cent, prepared and focused, dreaming of the pastries we leave behind.

The sun finally breaks through once out of the supermarket, perfect for the return. A quick call to Patou and Val along the way warms the heart too. Then we head out for our second day in paradise. On the schedule: enchanting sauna rituals like “Sweet Spices” (clove, orange, coffee) and “Source of Life” (anise, mint, rosemary), a rhythmic meditation session, and a final exfoliation ritual. Between all that: hot baths, bubbles, mini naps, cold dips, and the euphoria of the crystal falls.

The highlight of the day? The flotation bath, suspended between sky and water. Lying in that salty water, the body lets go completely… a nearly cosmic sensation.

We come home late, muscles like cotton, hearts light. A small dinner at 10:30 p.m.: Pasta with pesto and grated carrots, followed by the test version of the orange cake, lovingly made in preparation for the one meant for Ulrike. Ahmed finally manages to post our thank-you video. A beautiful day comes to an end… Tomorrow, it’s back to work.

It’s our last day in the warm cocoon of Ulrike’s beautiful cottage, and we’re savouring it fully while getting ready to hit the road again. On the schedule: laundry, tidying, cooking, planning the next stages… and filming the video for our partner aloSIM, our eSIM provider.

While Ahmed fine-tunes the presentation text, I clean the kitchen and start one last load of laundry in the boiler room, a luxury when the clothes dry in just a few hours. We then head up the hill behind the house to film. The idea is simple: Ahmed walks while reciting the text, followed by a close-up of the flag fluttering in the wind. But the wind has its own ideas… and so does the lead actor. Two hours, several takes, and no usable footage. Jenny, the director is then fired from the set 🤣 We then, postpone filming to tomorrow.

While Ahmed tries to tame the text and the weather, I return to baking: An orange cake to thank Ulrike and her family, enhanced with a drop of orange essential oil for a magical touch. Then we get back to planning our route and preparing Warm Showers requests… but nothing set for tomorrow. As usual, we’ll leave on an adventure.

In the kitchen, I try to use up all the remaining vegetables and pack everything cleanly. At this point, every item counts. At the end of the day, Ulrike stops by to say goodbye. She’s as radiant as ever, and we can feel she’ll keep following us in spirit.

The evening flows gently, between photo transfers and rest on the couch. Tomorrow, a new chapter begins.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post!

Feel free to leave a comment below, we’d love to hear your thoughts.

Stay tuned for more in our next post…

Jenny & Ahmed