Saturday Bikeride up Aplspitze

Didn't have a clue what to do today. Bright Saturday in summer and I am bored.

Luckily Matze (ex 12Ta) rang up and asked if I wanted to go cycling. I agreed and he asked me if we could do a route here by me as he was coming in the car from Kempten.
He got a bit lost but I meet him by the train station and we set of up the Alpspitze via Maria Trost. Strait at the start Matthias was clearly more trained than me and we hammered up the Alpspitze at 6-7km/h (which is fast for me). Had a few drink and photo stops and we got to Sportheim Böck and then the Fichtelhütte quite fast. Then I had the advantage. Going downhill I hammered past him, also I was the one that new the way. Along the Alpspitz until we meet the road going up to the Stubenthal-Alpe and Matze was faster again. But after that a long downhill race past the Haslacher Alm and on to Reichenbach. On the way we shocked a few people with our speed but nothing happened. Over Bayerstetten back to Nesselwang, said goodby to Matthias on the way to the station and then of home for a nice shower (with a short stop for a drink at Frenches).

Track at GPSies and some pictures at Picasa.

Time in saddle: 2 hours 5 min.

Distance: 25.1 km

Average: 12 km/h

Sunday Cycle up Breitenberg

A day or two ago Jon sent out an e-mail asking all of us who would come up the Breitenberg with him.

At 8.30 am Neill (Dad), Jon, Moni and me where at his house. A few minutes later Karin arrived because she had overslept a bit. She told us that she went to bes at 2 in the morning so she wouldn't be racing of as usual. Noticed nearly strait away that that was not true. She was at the front nearly all the time. We all had our long clothes on as it was about 7°C. On the way we had some discussion as Neill wanted to go via the main road to Kappel and Jon wanted to go the back way. As Jon is the “Boss” we went round the back and got a bit damp going through some high grass and offer a wet wood bridge where dad had his worst accident. Nothing happened this time so we carried on as planned. Through Kappel and then round the Kiemberg, up the back towards Grän and then the long climb up the Breitenberg. Was a bit chilly but no one got frostbite and at the foot of the Breitenberg we got our long clothes of, as it was getting warmer.

I hadn't cycled up a mountain for about 8 weeks so I took it nice and easy, whilst the “tired” Karin raced up the mountain. Thankfully they all stopped from time to time to wait and going up we had a nice view of the Alps. Reaching the top we got our long clothes on again for the downhill ride. Stopped at an Alm and had a drink and a piece of cake whilst the girls got an alcoholic drink to help them down the steep bits.

Just as we wanted to set of Dad had a flat tire and that had to be changed. The girls decided to get a head start and wait at a specific point. After the tire had been fixed I also left a bit early and after a while Jon was on my tail with Dad somewhere behind him. I still reached Karin and Moni first but all signs of Jon had vanished. We where wondering if someone had had an accident and waited a while when Moni looked behind of the hut we where waiting at. Dad and Jon where standing behind there and they where both laughing their heads of. As it turned out Jon had had an accident when he went across a short cut field. He had been getting deeper and deeper into mus when he went over his handlebar, got out of the klikis somehow, did a somersault over the bike and landed in some wet mud. Dad then came racing up behind him and told him to stay put so he could get a picture. Jon and, especially, his bike were completely mud-covered.

After that it was a whiz down the front of the Breitenberg and then of home so Jon wouldn't miss watching Formula 1.

Track at GPSies and pictures from Jon, Dad and me at Picasa.

Race Biking after England

So, back again, after 1 months of not cycling because of my f***ing tow. Destroyed my plan to cycle to England, but next year will hopefully be better.

Started cycling today with race biking, which I am not a that big fan of but today was really good. Just came back from England and before even packing out my suitcase put on two new race bike tires. Of to Jon's quickly to get them pumped up and some gears repaired.

At 18.45 o'clock there were four people there, Jon, Neill (Dad), Moni and me. Perhaps it was just to hot for the rest (about 30°C). Apparently the past week had been like this. Set of towards Marktoberdorf and were in Rückholz fast. Jon spent most of the time at the front as he had a low pulse today and was the GPS-Man. Shortly before Rückholz on a long downhill stretch to get some speed, my back reflector flew of and I bombarded Moni and myself with it. Nothing serious happened so we continued. After Rückholz we went some weird track which shouldn't be done with race bikes (gravel, grass,...) to reach a Geocache which was found fast.

After that of to the next Geocache towards Rückholz. Had to walk through some fields again and reached a nice spot at the edge of a forest overlooking a marsh towards the Alps. Took some time finding the Geocache ( found a heap of bones first) but Moni succeeded in doing so in the end.

Along the road next to the nearest lake and had a short swim. Nice and warm water, really refreshing. Of to Jon's last to have a drink, but exhausted ourself going up the steep hill behind Rückholz.

Nice track but not really for race bikes. My pictures at Picasa and also some from Jon an Neill.

Thursday Tour up to Stubentalalm

Looked outside today at about half past five and the sky had a nice blue, so it should be nice weather to cycle in. At 6o'clock it was looking a bit different with grey clouds coming from the west. But as it didn't look to bad and I had some new waterproof gear I set of on my own to Heidi's (Dad is in Italy working). Picked up Heidi and Gabi on the way to the gym and Karin C. meet us on the way. Arrived at the gym and waited for the rest to appear in the “gloomy” weather.

At exactly 18.45pm (plus/minus a few seconds) group one headed of to the Stubentalalm whilst group two went towards Pfronten. The route was well chosen, because if it started raining we could be home fast. So, of to Reichenbach through Bayerstetten and then up to the Haslacher Alm. Nice and easy up the steep parts to not be completely “ausgelaugt” halfway up and we passed a bench with my favourite saying on it (“Lange Leben will jeder, Alt werden will keiner”). Had a short stop at “the tree” and then up the steep gravel road to the Stubentalalm. A lot of people noticed my new bike (which I have had for a month now, but I haven't cycled that much with the group). Karin and I where just talking about how I might not fall on her that much any more when she fell on me. So had to get of and push a bit as it was steep. Arrived at the Stubentalalm and the whizzed down a tarmac road. Also with my new bike I am a lot more confident going downhill as I have disc brakes now.

After that along a trail to a bridge which had a hole at the other end (not that big, but not cycalble). Jon had to get of as the hole was just waiting for him to go in, so the rest got of too. Along forester roads to the Fichtelhütte, which included some long uphill tracks, but not to steep. Arrived at the Fichtelhütte and it started dripping a bit from the grey clouds. After the Fichtelhütte there is a downhill trail which I didn't cycle but some where mad enough to do it.

Arrived at the top before the downhill part and the wind was picking up, so long clothes on. On the way down Jon encouraged us to go over a “cow stopper” (don't know how they are really called) and I and the rest did it because we trust him.

Then a whiz down to the crossing at Nadelloch. Jon guessed I had gone down the piste as I was there so fast but it was thanks to the new disc brakes that I was confident enough to go faster down the normal trail.

After that it was of to the Bistro for a drink and a chat before home to bed.

Track at GPSies and pictures at Picasa.

Time in saddle: 2 hours 15 min.

Distance: 24.8 km

Average speed: 10.7 km/h

Up to the top of the Grünten

Set of today with a long journey planned. I wanted to cycle up the Grünten with a few classmates and we decided to meet at the dam of the Rottachspeicher between 9.30am and 9.45am. As I didnt know how long it would take to get there I set of at 8o'clock and had a fresh mourning run to the Rottachspeicher. Arrived there at 9o'clock which means I still had ages to loung around at the lake. Meet a motor cycler on his way to Neuschwanstein and had a little chat.

Then, just before half past Lukas zoomed past me and told me I was waiting at the wrong place so I followed him until we arrived at the meting place. Matthias came ten minutes late as he had to go around a bridge which was being repaired.

So at about 10o'clock we set of towards the Grünten at a fast pace. Arrived at the bottom and took the steepest way up, as Matthias had requested. On the way up we had three big stops and at one point I couldn't get onto my bike any more as it was so steep. So I pushed a bit and after that it was only a short run to the Grüntenhütte where we had another big stop and drank a refreshment, after Lukas had to get rid of a pestering cow which didn't want to leave him. Matthias really wanted to go to the top to get a “Gipfelbild” so we set of for the monument which stands at the top. Just underneath it we looked up our bikes and had a mountain climb to the top. Reached the top and had some brilliant panorama view of Allgäu. After that a walking trail down to the Roßberalm, which was a mixture out of cycling and walking. Matthias nearly had an accident as his back wheel slipped and I nearly went over the front. Down a tarmac road where we picked up a bit of speed to shot over a river. I nearly went over the front again when I hit a stone and Lukas slipped on some mud. Arrived at a park place to wash of all the cow-pat that had spatter us. Along a nice road until we had to walk over some marshy place. Last time it was a complete marsh but now they have put some stones down and built a nice bridge.

Then a shot down until we arrived at the main road where I said goodbye to Lukas and Matthias. They went left towards Kranzegg while I turned towards Wertach to go home. A nice race along the Grüntensee and the, after Gschwend, home. A long tour with a lot of Höhenmeter (1200m).

Trach at GPSies and pictures at Picasa.

Time in saddle: 3 hours 40 min.

Distance: 53.3 km

Average speed: 14.3 km/h

Friday Tour up Alpspitz and down Stubental

After the disastrous cycle ride yesterday I set of up the Alpspitz today. Had half a track in my GPS as I was trying a new route today. Went along the way past Sonnenbichel and then down past the Babylift where I work in Winter. After that the long way up the Alpspitz to Sportheimböck. On the way a few bikers came racing down and one overtook me at top speed going up, but apart from that I only met a few walkers and was by myself the rest of the time. Arrived at Sportheimböck and had a short break before setting of up the steep bit to the top. Before I reached the top turned left towards the Fichtelhütte on the Edelsberg. Last time I had been there, there had been snow on the mountain. Still walked a bit over some big stones, but it was snow free now.

At the Fichtelhütte I had a chat to the owners before setting of down the other side. Got lost somewhere in the forest down there but found my way back to the right track. This is where I needed the GPS as I am not on the south side of the Alpspitz very often. Found my way to the Stubentalalm and got my long clothing on as most of it would now be downhill. Arrived in Reichenbach a bit later after shocking a few walkers on the way down (max. speed: 73.4 km/h). Set of towards the Grüntensee to go around that but got lost again and found myself in Wertachtal heading towards Gschwend. So I didn't go round the Grüntensee but still had a nice ride with a warm shower at the end.

Track at GPSies and some pictures at Picasa.

Time in saddle: 2 hours 20 min.

Distance: 25.5 km

Average: 11.0 km/h

Thursday Storm Tour

Set of today on my first Thursday bike tour on my new bike. Arrived at the gym after piking everybody else in Brand up and discussed where to go. I suggested we go cycle up the Bärenmoos but group 2 was doing that already so we had to go somewhere else. Sepp had the idea we cycle up the Wertacher Hörnle to the Schnitzleralm (think that is what it is called), and good that we went there.

Left the Alpspitzhalle at exactly 18.45 o'clock and cycled towards Wertach. At the bottom of the serpentine in Nesselwang we where caught up by Heti who was late and had just spotted us. At the top Hans drove by in his car. Stopped, got out in biking gear, lifted his bike out of the back and joined us. He said he had been late to and just driven round until he had seen someone, as he normally cycles with group 2. Raced along the Grüntensee and Sepp was looking at the ski worried. But it didn't look to bad. Blue ski and sunshine. On the other side of Wertach it was a bit different. We saw black (and I mean black) clouds coming from the Grünten towards us. Getting a bit worried we still cycled on and the ski was getting blacker by the minute. Forgot about the weather for a short time and had some real mountain biking up a gravel trail. We stopped at some point for a drink, carried on a bit more and then had to pump up the tires from Moni and Hans a bit more as they had lost a bit of air. At that point the ski was looking worse by the minute, but it was still at a distance. Cycled a bit on and took a wrong way so we had to turn round. At that point we were standing in a quiet well protected forest and suddenly a gale hit us. Really was like “switch on the wind”, it was just there. No slow start. At that point it was decided we race back home, because that weather looked (and felt) bad. Being a bit frightened (that was a storm you don't want to be in) I raced downhill behind Moni. On the way down we came through some forests, which where near to pitch black because of the weather and I still had my sunglasses on. Stuck behind Moni to see at least something. It started raining a bit then and a few stopped at a hut for shelter for what we new was coming. But Hans was missing. Apparently he had half a race; one: he was running from the storm, and two: with another mountain biker which had whizzed past us before tiring to get away from the weather. It was a good idea to stay under the shelter as it started raining cats and dogs a few minutes later. The wind was also really strong and on the way back we saw some damage it had done (tree bit lying everywhere, bins thrown over,...). Stood under that hut for about half an hour until we set of again in a less hostile weather condition. Picked up Hanson the way which had found an even better hut to stay in and he had the drinks. After picking him up we set of with rain gear on (those that had it) and had a nice back wind which had been driving the storm. Sepp's suggestion was good to come this way as we were really fast on the way back. Group two had a front wind coming home so we were lucky. Raced along the main road to Nesselwang and went home to shower before going to the bistro.

Track at GPSies and this time no pictures as Jon was in Egypt and I hadn't got my camera with me.

Time in saddle: 1 hour 20 min.

Distance: 24.9 km

Average speed: 17.8 km/h

Training for England: Day 2

Out with a few people youngsters (my age) today. Drove with Daniel to Pfronten and met a few of his cycling friends there.

After waiting a bit till everyone had arrived we set of down Vilstal at a high speed. Nice and warm so all the long clothes staid of at first. Arrived at the end of Vilstal with only a few steep parts in it. Turned left after that and stuck to some tarmac ways. Raced along the valley and used the lee of the biker in front. Arrived in Grän and raced down the valley with the Agenstein to our right.

Arrived back in Pfronten and went home to have a shower and some lunch. Time passed quite fast.

Track at GPSies and some pictures at Picasa.
Distance: 34.1 km
Time in saddle: 1 hour 40 min.
Average: 20.8 km/h

Training for England: Day 1

As I am planing to cycle to England this summer I have to start training to reach England alive. So I downloaded an old track from last year to my GPS last night to have an aim.

Set of today morning at 9.00am, as yesterday and cycled along the Wertachtal to Bachtel. After that I got a bit lost as the GPS said follow a tarmac road, but I didn't want to do that. Instead I set of on a gravel trail, got lost and took a few wrong turns until I had a good lock at the map on my GPS and saw where I had to go. Went back the way I had came a few kilometres and set of down the trail I had intended to find. Followed a nice long trail through the countryside of Allgäu. Was nearly always alone as most of the other bikers where at work and the tourist where still asleep or getting up. Arrived at the Hängebrücke and I saw that instead of the old wood steeps they had now put metal grids over the stream running through the forest. “Wont slip on that” I thought. Wrong, nearly slipped of them strait away and landing on that would have been more painful than on the old wood steeps. Went over the Hängebrücke and had a break at the other end. Cycled up the hill where the farmers have built up gates each 50m or so. Continued along the Siebenseen route until Seeg and after that took another way that was not on the GPS. Surprised I got lost again. Took the wrong turn and ended up above a quarry. So turned around again, went back and turned the right way. Ended up above the Kögelweiher and cycled through Hertingen back home.

A short stop by Jon to get my mudguard fixed on properly again and my chain oiled. Finally went home but on the way I remembered I had forgotten my sun glasses at his workshop. Turned round again and went to pick them up. Then, at last, could go home and have a warm shower.

Nice trails with good views of Allgäu. Pictures at Picasa and trail at GPSies.

Distance: 44.1 km

Time in saddle: 2 hours 30 min.

Average speed: 17.1 km/h

Sunday Bike Tour up Buron

Sunday today. Asked dad if we could do a bike tour a few days before and at 8.30am he was up and waking me up.

Set of at about 9.00am towards Gschwend on a nice sunny morning. After Gschwend to Reichenbach and then up towards the Haslacher Alm. Standing at the bottom of the mountain we were both thinking “up there?”. But after a sweaty time we arrived at the Haslacher Alm. Turned left shortly before it and then got towards the real mountain biking. Slipped at one point and had to get of. Dad also went of the edge shortly and had to correct his direction. Met a few other bikers going up and finally reached the top, but not were I had expected. I thought we were going towards Stubental but we were somewhere on top of the Buron (Reuterwanne I think). Bumpy trip down and I was thinking “no, not my new bike”, but that's what it was built for. Arrived at an Alm were Dad had a coffee and I a cola. Surrounded by mountains and ringing cow bells. Dads saying is quite fitting here “Shit life ;)”.

After that down the side of the mountain where I reached a top speed of 68.7km/h. Dad told me I was mad later as cars sometime come up there. But nothing happened, so carried on towards Wertach and then on the “Hackschnitzel”-trail by the Grüntensee which is a bit “sticky” on bikes. After that a long straight trail towards Haslach on which we met a lot of other people out on their Sunday walk. Dad suggested it must be very frightening for the people with kids to see two mountain bikers racing towards them.

As a finishing run towards Maria Rein, down the Indianerpfad where we slipped a few times on hidden, wet roots. Towards Hammerschmiede, were we nearly got run over by Jon and his boys out on a cycle tour, and of to home where a nice shower was waiting.

Track at GPSies and dad took a few pictures.

Distance: 29.6 km

Time in saddle: 2 hours 20 min.

Average speed: 12.9 km/h

Wet Biking on New Bike

Nice and wet tour today. But best of all, I could test my NEW BIKE!!! Got it on Saturday and today was the first test on down hilling with disc brakes. Brilliant, really like them.

But first things first. My plan today was actually not to go biking as I am writing my Maths exam tomorrow, but dad told me again and again to get some fresh air and also there was a new bike standing in the garage.

So of we set and picked up Heidi and were joined by Moni on the way to Jon's. Arrived at his workshop and after a short discussion Jon, Christa, Heidi, Moni, Dad and me set of to Maria Trost up on the Alpspitz. On the way up Jon and I got into a discussion about bike technologies (disc brakes, bike circuits) so that time went by and we were soon standing at the crossing to Naddelloch and the top. After Moni turned round due to a headache we carried on to the top of the Winterrodelbahn. Up there it was a quick race down until we turned of into a field. At first I forgot to switch off my “lock out” (Google to know what it is) and then took a wrong turning so I had to turn round and cycle back uphill. In the meantime Dad was taking a picture of Christa bravely cycling down the steep road. Across the field and down toward Bayerstetten in a part-gorge. On the way Jon slipped on some mud but nothing bad happened. In the part-gorge I listened to the usual advice to not pull your front brake if there are big stones right in your way, and there were some. Arrived at the bottom and waited for the rest to arrive. Once again Christa had shown her bravery by cycling down through some big stones which I would probably not have done with my old bike.

After a short brake, down through Bayerstetten and of towards Reichenbach. But didn't turn into Reichenbach and it started drizzling a bit but not to bad.

At the top of the mountain it was completely rain free the only thing wet was the ground.

After Reichenbach we turned right and went towards the dam of the Grüntensee. Over that, through Haslach and then of towards Maria Rain. Before Maria Rein we turned of the road to go down the “Indianerpfad” (last time I had been there I had done a somersault over my handlebars). Arrived at the bottom and again, everybody cycled down. Alongside the stream Jon had another slip accident whilst talking to me and grazed his leg. But not so bad that we couldn't continue. So of we went across the bridge and then left down a pretty bumpy looking trail and after one stop we carried on. In the field we helped a man get a cow back into the field and carried on up past the Wassermühle, through Schneidbach and down towards the ABC. In the car park we said goodbye to Christa and at the green house Jon left the “Brandler” to go home. After a short clean of the bikes at Heidi's we went home to a nice hot shower.

Brilliant on a new bike. Track at GPSies and pictures of Dad and Jon at Picasa.

Distance: 19.3 km

Time in saddle: 2 hours

Average speed: 10.5 km/h

Before The Storm

Don't take the title for granted. I'll come to that later. It started of with Jon writing an e-mail to everybody, predicting that it would rain and hail, and if until 17.45 it started raining we would be in the gym. At 17.45 bright sunshine so Dad, the ambitious biker he is, started getting prepared. At 18.15 dark clouds started turning up and there was the rumble of thunder, so I said I would stay at home and learn as I have got my exams next week. So he set out on his own to Heidi's, to pick her up and then after that the rest that wanted to go cycling. Quarter of an hour later, Jon sent round a mail to say sport would be in the gym (due to the thunder), so all well organized.

At half past eight I was feed up with learning as I also had been doing nothing else the last four hours. I looked outside, it wasn't raining and was actually quiet warm, so after a short preparation time I set of towards the Alpspitz (in case it would start I could be home fast). There where still some dark clouds mingling about and no blue sky, but the weather was about just perfect for cycling. Not to warm and not to cold. So up the Alpspitz, past Maria Trost and further up to the Kappler Alm. On the way I met three other bikers coming down, but apart from that I was alone.

At the Kappler Alm I switched over to downhill modus; long clothes out and glasses on. View was really good, but I could see a storm pulling in from Kempten and I wanted to get back to Nesselwang fast. Down to Kappel, where I got lost: it used to be bad enough, but now they have set up a building site on the side of the village where we mostly cycle through and its blocked of with all sorts of fences.

Once I was out of Kappel it was of to Hertingen, but that's where my luck ran out. It started storming. And I was caught right in it, which means the title isn't completely correct. Most of it was before the storm but 5km away from Nesselwang it pi**ed down. Rain clothes on, but was drenched after 2km and lightning flashes here and there. Scary when you are in the middle of a field on a steel bike.

Arrived in Nesselwang and had a break at the pup. But there was nobody there. Jon and the group where still sporting, Dad was at home having a shower (he told me later) after cycling on his own as nobody wanted to go with him. But a few people from the badminton-group where there and I had a drink with them before continuing home after Dad had arrived and was waiting for the rest.

A good cycle route and the last 5km where really adventurous.

Track at GPSies and a few picis at Picasa.

Thursday Of-Trail Ride

We were quite few yesterday. Only six people on a Thursday tour, happens rarely. It was also pretty warm which normally means there are a lot of people there.
We started of towards the Moorgang via the Wertachtal and took the "Indianerpfad along the Wertach up to dontknowhowitiscalled. Had a bad accident on the Indianerpfad. I fell headlong in a ditch right in front of me which I had been trying to avoid by jumping over it, but, well, didn't work. Flew head first over the handlebars and landed on my stomach. Luckily Inge was there fast and nearly strait away gave me some of her medicine. Jon did a check over if I had broken any ribs but it was not that bad.
After that we carried on to the Moorweg and when we arrived there I don't have a clue how we cycled any more. If you can see the track at GPSies it looks like we were drunk. Somehow, after an hour, we arrived in Oy and then took the road over the Römerbrücke back home to Nesselwang.
All in all a really good "of-trail" track.
Pictures from Jon and me at Picasa.

Wet and Cold "sieben Seen" Tour

Wet and cold today. Looked out of the window and it was poring down, but I didn't want to study any more, as I had done that nearly all the rest of the day. Dad was also itching to go so we set of to Heidis and were dry when we arrived at hers, due to the good clothing. After hearing a Julia say she didn't want to be in our place we set of towards the Wertachtal at first. As it was pouring and I was already beginning to get wet, I thought it was going to be a relatively short round. It wasn't. After we had come out of the Wertachtal things had brightened up a bit (or at least it had stopped raining) so Dad suggested we head towards Rückholz. After that we went the “sieben Seen”-tour altogether. Just before Rückholz it really started snowing. So official we were cycling through a snowstorm as it was like that most of the way. By the time we had arrived at the Atlesee the fields were white once again. Headed of home and arrived here after about 20km of cycling and freezing fingers to a nice warm shower heated up by the fire.

Track at GPSies and Dad's picies at Picasa.

First Thursday ride to the Falkenstein

First Thursday bike tour today. As we started new into the year we thought it wouldn't be to difficult, but as I heard what we were planing to do it didn't sound to good.

So, this is how I understood it. We go to Falkenstein and cycle up. Doesn't sound a lot? Right to the top is. It turned out we were only going up 1/3 of the way and that wasn't to bad and we did so when we arrived.

Back down was interesting as there was still a lot of leafs from autumn and it is slippery on wet leaves. They were dry so not that bad. Then there were some trenches in the ground for the water to run down the mountain and every time I went over one I thought my bike was going to fall apart.

On the way back home we went through Rebichel and up a hill which I don't know the name of, but the track is at GPSies. At the top we got a good look at sunset and I made a picture which you can see at Picasa.

A good start of tour for the new season.

Racing Bike round Grüntensee

Today was our first Tuesday bike route of the year. And my first on a racing bike. Took some time getting used to. And going down the main road in the evening was the “perfect” training moment. Before we set of my saddle had to be adjusted a bit which made Jon happy.

So we set of and straight up the main road. I did feel a difference; in both ways.

First the good: You just keep going on and on, as if you had no bike underneath you, really light.

The not so good: My legs couldn't stretch out properly which means my big advantage over most others was lost.

Carrier on, thought. Cycled towards Wertach, as you can see at GPSies. Then through Wertach and past the other side of the Grüntensee towards Feistenoy. Uphill Jon like to show how much training he had done and how low he could get his gears. We'll see at the end of the year ;)

After Feistenoy of to Oy and the to Maria Rein. Over the bridge and back home in an hour. Sounds short, but that is probably what you have a racing bike for.

All in all a good bike round with a good view over the evening mountains. Pictures from Dad at Picasa.

Elleg and back down Mühlweg

Next bike ride today. Again with Dad. Bright sunny day and he wanted to go biking strait in the morning. So we set out and had to leave a Chris and Philipp behind which wanted to come round for a drink. Got one by the neighbours instead.

So we set of towards Haslach and after that cycled up the Elleg. A The track is at GPSies. Nearly at the top we decided to try something new and went left before we would have reached the top. Arrived at a hut called “Gschwend's Berg”, I think. After that we went along a field track and arrived nearly at the top but had to squeeze under a barb wire fence to get back to the normal trail. Next we went a lot downhill and then along a way called the Mühlweg which has a lot of ups and downs, so real mountain biking. Then through Oy-Mittelberg to Haslach and stopping at Chris's in Gschwend for a glass of Water. Cycled the road back home with a Rhiannon which we had met in Gschwend.

Pictures Dad took are at Picasa. And another good bike ride.

First bike of the year around "7 lakes"

First time cycling this year. Last time was in the Dolomites. God, that was long ago.

So, started of with Dad (who's whole idea this was) and went through Wertachtal. And instead of turning left along the “normal” route across the river we went strait on up a hill. I confess, we had to walk a short bit, but not a lot. Arrived up in a field and cycled on past a lot of lakes (forget al their names) with nature all around us. Brilliant on a sunny Friday afternoon. Arrived at the Atlesee (first lake I know the name of) and went further to the Kögelweiher were there where a lot of frogs. Carried on and took the “dirt trail” down behind Rindegg. Arrived at Jon's shortly afterwards to get Dads bike fixed up a bit.

Carried on home for a warm, solar powered shower. Track at GPSies and Dads pictures at Picasa.

And no, this is no April fool ;)

Sunday walk down Wertachtal

Got up today to a bright, sunny day (wail). The wails cause of all the snow that's been melting. No skiing :(.

But got up and went for a walk with Dad, Mum and Rhiannon. Set of towards Hammerschmied and encountered a small version of a glacier on the way which got Dad running across the field. First pictures there which you can all see at Picasa. Then carried on down towards Hammerschmied and after it turned right up the hill somewhere there. Came out above Hammerschmied with a view over to Maria Rein and Brand.

Then walked back via the swimming pool and arrived home for some lunch.

Track at gpsies.