Several of us tested the theory that you don't forget how to ride a bike while we were on the island of Norderney. We had a bike tour of the island but several of us had not ridden bikes for many years! After the first few wobbly feet, we were off!! So, it's true, you don't forget how to ride a bike!! Once I stopped watching the ground right in front of me, I had a great time! We had a great guide who took us around, stopped in good locations, and discussed things about the area/animals. This was a wonderful way to see the island and minus a little shower, the weather was nice too. Though I must say, they told us the island was flat....but biking up and down sand dunes against the wind can be quite tiring!! Especially when done the day after a hike across the mud flats!!
The hike to the island of Norderney, across the mudflats, on a "wattandderung" was really interesting to say the least!! We started out in really soft mud that at times was knee deep! I was thinking that there is no way I am going to make it the 6 or so km across!! Luckily it was only that deep and soft for a short time. Most of the time is was much easier to walk and the deepest water that we had to cross was only little more than knee deep. Mind you, it is the North Sea, its windy, overcast, and at times drizzeled a bit! A note to future mud flat walkers...wear tights or something under your shorts to help keep you warm, and dont wear short socks...you will want socks that are taller than the hightop shoes, otherwise you get nice rubs all the way around your ankles like I did!! Wear layers on your upper body to keep warm, and dont forget a rain jacket!!
We did the hike to the island the day before the bike ride and had the same guide for both, he was really good! He was really good at pointing things out and explaining things when all we could think about was how to not get sucked into the mud too deep!! And best of all, he got us safely across the mudflats before the tide came in!!
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