... Geneva was more relief rather than extasy, and i've been chill-axing since ... back on the bandwagon now, so more posts coming soon :)))
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
finished ... safely home
... finished the ride with all fingers and toes, and just one flat.
... Geneva was more relief rather than extasy, and i've been chill-axing since ... back on the bandwagon now, so more posts coming soon :)))
... Geneva was more relief rather than extasy, and i've been chill-axing since ... back on the bandwagon now, so more posts coming soon :)))
Sunday, July 13, 2008
furry friends and tunnels... day 7
it started off well on asphalt (grossglockner was briefly cloudless)...
... but i had to carry the bike again before reaching some glorious singletrack at about 2000m...
... where i met some furry friends (marmots aka groundhogs) amidst the cows ...
... taking the bike where it doesn't belong has it's rewards ...
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... picturesque, but the cows do smell :P ...
... descending in the rain for 1500m vertical meters is highly recommended, especially through long and loud tunnels, but can't really be described in words or pictures ...
... but i had to carry the bike again before reaching some glorious singletrack at about 2000m...
... where i met some furry friends (marmots aka groundhogs) amidst the cows ...
... taking the bike where it doesn't belong has it's rewards ...
border="0" />... picturesque, but the cows do smell :P ...
... descending in the rain for 1500m vertical meters is highly recommended, especially through long and loud tunnels, but can't really be described in words or pictures ...
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
the big bell high alpine road (grossglockner hochalpenstrasse) ... day 6
the top loomed at 2500m... and the warning signs were clear at the bottom...
... while the bikes enjoyed the curves ...
... dad took some nice photos ...
... and i eventually go to the top after 3 hours of climbing ...
... the weather got worse on the otherside ...
... and i took the option of hiding in the car during a brief hail storm ...
... before reaching the prize of the day...
... while the bikes enjoyed the curves ...
... dad took some nice photos ...
... and i eventually go to the top after 3 hours of climbing ...
... the weather got worse on the otherside ...
... and i took the option of hiding in the car during a brief hail storm ...
... before reaching the prize of the day...
climbing up to the eagle's nest ... day 5
... left austria for a quick dip into germany and was ment round the first corner by the local goat ... (quite appropriate for what was to come)
climbed up to hilter's mountain lair (the eagle's nest) ... gotta a clap from a busload of tourists at the top but a "nein nein, no bikes" from the german in charge ... i guess hilter never planned to ride up the elevator with a bike...
... then went through the beautiful and precisely groomed Berchtesgaden National Park ...
... followed by a slightly steep and curvy descent back into Austria...
climbed up to hilter's mountain lair (the eagle's nest) ... gotta a clap from a busload of tourists at the top but a "nein nein, no bikes" from the german in charge ... i guess hilter never planned to ride up the elevator with a bike...
... then went through the beautiful and precisely groomed Berchtesgaden National Park ...
... followed by a slightly steep and curvy descent back into Austria...
taking it easy ... day 4
slept in, fixed the bike ... and had brunch in the carpark of the local supermarket...
... went over some hills and through some tunnels as well...
... overall an easier day that still had its highlights ...
... went over some hills and through some tunnels as well...
... overall an easier day that still had its highlights ...
the first 2000m peak and then trouble ... day 3
it all started of with smiles in Weisspriach (the last town in a forgotten valley in Austria)
i need some refreshing at around 1700m ...
and then had to leave some German friends behind when we had to start carrying the bikes through tougher terrain...
but i was reward with the first breathtaking view at the top...
... i descended quickly (had to cool the brakes at one point) to where dad was waiting and assessing the next obstacle...
... which turned out to be more than a steep hill...
... although the hill was a bit worse. I had to go around this massive on the left hand side where the trees finished... then carry the bike on my back for another 10km through some very hairy terrain
... after which i was quite buggered... and fell asleep during the second half of the euro2008 final :(
i need some refreshing at around 1700m ...
and then had to leave some German friends behind when we had to start carrying the bikes through tougher terrain...
but i was reward with the first breathtaking view at the top...
... i descended quickly (had to cool the brakes at one point) to where dad was waiting and assessing the next obstacle...
... which turned out to be more than a steep hill...
... although the hill was a bit worse. I had to go around this massive on the left hand side where the trees finished... then carry the bike on my back for another 10km through some very hairy terrain
... after which i was quite buggered... and fell asleep during the second half of the euro2008 final :(
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
a long day in the saddle... day 2
Despite being down about missing the plan already on the first day, I pushed on. Skipped a planned mountain (just too crazy for me), and instead did 110km on some hilly asphalt roads, this was how it started...
and my bike setup ...
... along with the typical beautiful Austrian scenery :)
and my bike setup ...
... along with the typical beautiful Austrian scenery :)
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