I’m not going to go over old ground, because I’m pretty sure that you all get the fact that I was involved in a life-threatening motorbike accident at a place called Baden-Baden in Germany.
If you didn’t, I’d be quite concerned given the number of times I’ve told you. LOL
What I don’t believe I have done is gone into detail as to what the attraction was with Baden-Baden.
It was all about the B500….
The B500, locally known as the Schwarzwaldhochstraße (Black Forest High Road), is one of Germany’s most iconic scenic drives. Stretching 37 miles (60 km) from the spa town of Baden-Baden to the mountain town of Freudenstadt, it rewards drivers with spectacular ridge-line views and deep forest landscapes.
Route Overview & Highlights
- The Starting Point: Begin in the historic spa town of Baden-Baden. As you wind upward, you’ll reach the main ridge of the northern Black Forest, offering sweeping views of the Rhine Valley.
- Lake Mummelsee: A beautiful, glacier-carved lake located near the highest point of the route (around 1,036 meters). It’s a popular spot to stretch your legs, shop for authentic cuckoo clocks, and enjoy a slice of authentic Black Forest cake.
- Lothar Path: An interactive wilderness trail where you can see how the forest has naturally regenerated following a massive 1999 storm.
- Hornisgrinde: The highest peak in the Northern Black Forest, easily accessed from the highway, providing incredible panoramic views.
- The Endpoint: The route concludes in Freudenstadt, which is famous for having Germany’s largest market square.
Of course, we never went they’re for the views, or believe it or not the authentic Black Forest cake (well we may have had the odd slice or two or even three) yes, my addiction to cake has never been any different.
We went to Baden-Baden for the truly spectacular roads as you’ll see from the pictures below, they are a young hot headed bikers wet dream.
Here are a number of photographs showing the attraction of the B500, these types of roads are the only reason that we went to Germany, well that and to ride the Nürburgring.
I first got my motorbike license when I was 25 years old, when I passed my Direct Access 5-day intense course on a Honda CB500, with a guy called Richard Bundy from Guildford in Surry.
Within a very short space of time, I was hooked….
Unlike the majority of people who’ve just passed their test who probably start riding on something sensible, my first motorbike was a second-hand Honda CBR600 closely followed by a Suzuki GSXR1000.
Never satisfied I kept this for about 6 months before you’ve guessed it, I changed again, this time staying with the make and model only instead of second-hand I bought a brand new black in colour Suzuki GSXR1000 K5.
This bike was insanely quick capable of reaching speeds of up to 186 mph, I’m not going to say how fast I got to on this other than to say I got very close to its top speed. (Oh my god, talk about an adrenalin rush).
We used to call anything the wasn’t a V-twin a rice burner, because like Suzuki they were probably made in Japan.
I got into racing motorbikes within a very short time of passing my test, I rode in the North Gloucester series and regularly raced on many of the tracks in the UK and Wales, tracks such as Silverstone, Snetterton, Cadwell Park, Donnington Park, Brands Hatch and Pembury in Wales.
Just like my road bikes I had several makes and models including a fully race tuned Suzuki GSXR600 number 39 below, I also had an Aprilia Mille, which was a cumbersome bike, we used to call it the African elephant because it was some heavy and its handling was appalling, I also had an Aprilia RSV1000 for a while, before finally settling for my Ducati999s Superbike.
Both the Ducati 1098s pictured in red below, and the 999s superbike number 174 below were definitely not the fastest, but the handling, oh my God the handling was simply sublime.
I have been on some fantastic roads throughout the 10 years I’d been riding motorbikes, but let me assure you none of them were anything like as spectacular as the B500, it’s the only road I have ever been on where you can ruin a set of tyres and wear-out a pair of knee sliders in just one day.
It was the Ducati 1098s that I was riding when I had my accident pictured in red above with me dressed as a stormtrooper, luckily for me it had amazing Brembo brakes, they are probably the reason why I almost lost my life, but they are also the reason that I’m still alive.
If it wasn’t for my amazing Brembo breaks I probably would cut the tractor in half, and I definitely wouldn’t have survived my accident, I need to be thankful for small mercies.
During 2024 I was determined to cycle to the accident scene, my god the climb to reach the scene was horrendous, I certainly never remember it being so tough on a motorbike.
We cycled from Strasbourg in France across the border down to Baden-Baden in Germany….
Before attempting the ascent, we stopped for a comfort break it a lay-by at the bottom and to take a couple of photographs.
I hadn’t realised, but Goose (Ian) and Rhys had hatched a plan to let me do the climb on my own, well me cycling and Rhys following behind me on foot, great plan other than the fact that Rhys couldn’t keep up.
I’m conscious that I’ve told you this before, but I’m fust trying to paint a picture….
I remember distinctly well my former phycologist Declan McNicol saying to me one day, had I ever cried since my accident?
I flippantly responded by saying of course not, well I don’t know whether it was mixed emotions, because this was the first time I’d been back since my accident, or whether it was exhaustion having just cycled up this monstrosity, but Declan I bawled my eyes out, well for as long as it took for Rhys to catch up.
It must be a man thing, it’s never good to show your emotion…. LOL
Germany’s Black Forest (Schwarzwald) is a region of deep evergreen forests, rolling ridgelines, and storybook villages — a place where driving pleasure meets atmosphere. At the heart of it all lies the Black Forest High Road (Schwarzwaldhochstraße / B500), one of Germany’s most famous scenic routes.
Flowing along the high ridges between Baden-Baden and Freudenstadt, it delivers long sightlines, smooth curves, and panoramic views that make it a rewarding drive rather than a technical challenge.
From misty forest sections to open viewpoints overlooking the Rhine Valley, the Vosges Mountains, and — on clear days — even the Swiss Alps, this is a road designed to be enjoyed at a measured pace.
The Black Forest High Road runs over 60 km from Freudenstadt to Baden-Baden. The most beautiful tourist route of the Black Forest celebrated its 75th birthday in 2007 but is still an attractive destination for tourists and locals.
There are magnificent views of the Black Forest valleys, the Rhine Valley and Alsace and the Voges Mountains along the entire route. There are also a large number of tourist highlights, such as Lake Mummelsee, the Lothar Path or the newly opened wilderness path on the Bühlerhöhe.
In winter, skiers enjoy themselves in particular. Snow reliability is virtually guaranteed owing to the altitude between 700 and 1164 m. A large number of ski-lifts and a connection to the Nordschwarzwald cross country skiing trail offer something for everyone.
I sincerely hope that you’ve enjoyed reading my blog, I have certainly enjoyed reminiscing about the B500 even though the outcome wasn’t as I’d anticipated.
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