European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 21, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                >4 paved route leads from the picturesque town of Eidesheim into the vineyards on the Hills that Overlook the  ride by Chuck Roberts staff writer my Rhine River camping and biking trip seemed in jeopardy when i returned Home from a rolling stones concert at 2 . With a loud ringing in my ears. But my interest picked up again at 9 15 that morning when i saw Sunshine streaming through my bedroom window. I thumbed through my Rhine River Guidebook while eating breakfast in bed and began feeling a surge of Energy running through my legs. By 10 30 i had stuffed my sleeping bag and tent into my Backpack and was on the Road to the  before leaving i installed the bicycle Bell i bought a few weeks ago a an accessory i still associate with those plastic streamers we attached to our handlebars As youngsters. But i soon saw the value of having the Little noisemaker around. Just after getting under Way i encountered a family of four parked in the Middle of the Bike path inspecting Little Johann s leg. They had no idea i was coming. The american bicyclist silent deadly. Here was my big Chance to give the Bell a test ring so i let them have it with both barrels Ching Ching they looked up in unison like four startled cows and began to move slowly off the path. Quot hmm Quot i thought to myself Quot i wonder if i could get the same results Clearing up a stau on the  after biking about 30 Kilometres from Griesheim to Oppenheim i realized Why camping gear should be attached to the Bike not the Back. All of the weight of the pack was entered on two Points Point a being the left buttock and Point b being the right. Both Points were resting on a hard racing seat which made everything numb by the time i reached Mainz. After refuelling with a huge plate of Tortellini and a Glass of wine at a Riverside restaurant however i was ready for the Road again. I paused to explore Elville whose enticing Castle contains a Beautiful Flower Garden and a memorial to Johann Gutenberg who is credited As the first european to print with movable Type. The next Stop was Rudesheim a popular spot with the folks from Down under. You re As Likely to hear a g Day mate As a Guten tag As you stroll its streets. When i visited Rudesheim a few weeks earlier the people jammed into the narrow Alley known As the Drossel Gasse broke into a chorus of Waltzing Matilda. It was like a scene from a late night musical in Hindsight i would suggest Rudesheim or Bingen a which is a Quick ferry ride across the River a As a better starting Point for a Rhine biking and camping trip. The Bike paths Are smoother than in the Mainz area to the Southeast and the Steep Vineyard Hills provide More dramatic scenery. The Bike path from the Bingen Side is Flat and Well paved. Those looking for a challenging trek should take the path that leads from Rudesheim into the Hilly vineyards High above the Rhine just look for signs that Lead to the Niederwald Monument. After a Day of extensive travel and scenery continued on Page it june 21, 1990 stripes Magazine