The finest act of cycle related kindness I have received was whilst touring in Germany last summer. I was camped a few Km outside Koln in a riverside campsite accessible only by cycle route from the Koln side, and by motor road from the north side. I did not know the name of the campsite, didn't see a signboard but hey it was beside the Rhine north of the Leverkusen bridge, so easy to find, how could anything go wrong?
Anyway, after an enjoyable day of exploring Koln on the bike, and a more enjoyable evening, although I insist I was not under the influence of drink or drugs, I started off on the one hour(

) cycle run back to the campsite as darkness began to fall. The first experience was overtaking the lady cyclist who was both smoking and chatting on her mobile as she cycled in the middle of the cycle path at quite a considerable speed. Anyway past her and following the river out of the city now until reaching the massive Ford car factory where a detour some distance from the riverside is required. Then through a smaller town and under the bridge that takes traffic across the Rhine to Leverkusen, it must have been about here that I unknowingly missed a turning, but I pressed on making good speed in the calm night air. After another 30 mins I decided that I was lost and started to retrace my steps looking for landmarks seen earlier of which there were none. It was getting cold and I was beginning to contemplate my chances of a night in the open air, not good. It was time to seek help but there are not many people, in fact none, about this area after midnight on a Sunday. Then I spotted a car draw up at a house, but the driver was clearly a little alarmed at my presence and claimed not to understand my predicament. Then I saw another car and was relieved when the driver spoke good English, although his passenger confused the issue by thinking he too could speak English well. The driver understood my situation but had no knowledge of the campsite which I felt was odd as it could only have been some 20 minutes drive away. It was afterwards I realised that although the campsite was on a through road for cyclists, it was at a dead end for motor traffic, so few local people would have had reason to go there. Anyway he told me to load my bike in the back of the car and we would go looking for landmarks. Driver and passenger were speaking to each other and keying in to electronic devices as we drove along but still no landmarks. Then the driver shouted out 'Yes, now we know where to go'. He had phoned the police who had given him directions to the campsite and not long after that we reached the site.. I could only offer Euros in gratitude, but these fine fellows would have none of it and just wished me goodnight and after a firm handshake they disappeared into the night. I slept well that night, and even decided to spend another day on the site, still can't remember if the site had a name or not.
Lesson 1 If enjoying a good day out, go home before dark, there's always tomorrow.
Lesson 2 Know the name of the place where you left your tent.
