The return journey is the one I have the most angst over. Looking on the map, the route seems innocuous enough – there are numerous “paths” crisscrossing the area so it would seem logical that there is at least one way through. However, the Heide is made of low shrubs and heather and…sand. Lots of sand.
The first part is somewhat easy – the route mapped on in the app matches real life and the going is shady and not so very sandy. At least, there is no impediment to my riding. Suddenly, the trees end and I am thrust out into the blasting heat of the moor.
I hear a ping from my phone and I look down at my navigation app. I am at a crossroads. The app says to turn left. I look left and right and straight ahead and back down at the app. I cannot see how turning left will put me in the correct direction. Turning right will lead me back to the highway – certainly a sure thing but not really the point of my excursion. The shortest way between two points is a straight line. Disregarding the app, I forge on – straight ahead.