Life is not a Practice

A fantastic route planned by Wera and a great party planned by Bettina. Thank you!



27 km with 620 meters of climbing.
Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=ehaaliavoirokuwp

Photos at https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/103827427036815679772/albums/5993643586090804945

After a five day "training holiday" over Easter (had a cold) it was back on the race bike today. Heidi, Jon and I made use of the nice weather to cycle 47km with 740 meters of climbing. The bit at 15,2 kms was as steep as it looks on the profile but we all cycled up it :-)



Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=myhginncgeyztnty

Today was too cold (3-4°C) for most of the "Tuesday Bikers" but Heidi and I were out on our mountain bikes.



We cycled up towards Sportheim Böck and then down via the Kappeler Alp (http://www.kappeler-alp.de/).
My first mountain tour this year!

15 kms with 600 meters of climbing.
Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=ufgftuzyksarrwxs

Despite a day of April showers I went out for a ride on my race bike. I was soaking within the first two kilomters but as it was warm I dried out again.
After reaching Mittelberg I decided to follow the road round to Peterstahl and Kranzegg.
On the Kranzegger Steig I got another puncture.



37km and 620 meters of climbing.
Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=hfgxxbcghsksrcda

After the ride we were invited to Frenchies for grilling.

Thursday evening and we followed Karin on a "make it up as you go along" route through the countryside. The track included the Mühlbach which is a great trail beside a stream. Two people crashed on the way down but we all survived.



19km and 400 meters of climbing.
Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=nuckqybhysrkcrte

Heidi was out eating and for two other "Tuesday Bikers" it was too "cold and wet".
So Alison and I did a part of the 7 Weiher tour. Sun shine and didn't rain.



22km at an 11.4 average.
Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=vpjkuhtmzmqirvnl

Another picture is at https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos?pid=5999993343289772866&oid=103827427036815679772

Did the "standard" race bike route but the other way round.

22km with about 260 meters of climbing
Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=etclllglxdiyplqq

The first tour with the Thursday Biking Group. As every year we started with the "Sieben Weiher Tour".



23.5 km with 320 meters of climbing
Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=vpomejrqvftquzwn



Photos at https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/103827427036815679772/albums/5993643586090804945

The clocks changed at the weekend so from today the Tuesday Race Bikers are back out.
Began with our standard tour round the Grüntensee plus a few additions. I also did a bit while waiting for Heidi.

33kms and 400 meters of climbing
Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=imjiltdteauhufjc

Sunday afternoon tour with Jon.
Almost all in training zone 1 but still a 24.7 km/h average.



43km with only 380 meters of climbing.
Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=jolvkuqvvopumpvz

Afterwards a drink at the ice cafe where Max met us after a mountain bike trip and Alison and Gertrud after walking round the Grüntensee.

Fantastic video of the tour by Jon at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_tEkM74_Zc&feature=youtu.be

Photos at https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/103827427036815679772/albums/5993643586090804945

Lunchtime with the race bike.

22km with 266 meters of climbing
Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=lcdtjwmxvpvrhtyc

It snowed on Sunday and yesterday but the roads were clear today so I went for a bike ride. It was about 5°C in the shade so I was well wrapped up but still cool going down hill.

I went via Enthalb der Ach and the Römerbrücke which seemed to add about 70 meters of climbing to the "normal" route.

24km and 320 meters of climbing.
Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=xcyealhfmxxoiwmt

North America has the Great Lakes and we have the eight lakes.
Today I opened the mountain bike season with a tour past eight local lakes with Max.



Schönenwalder Weiher, Grundweiher, Trollweiher, Luimooser Weiher, Schwaltenweiher, Neuweiher, Attlesee and Kögelweiher.


The picture taken by Max while I was photographing him.

23km with 350 meters of climbing.
The track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=tpdsbwhlfkowwdtw

Max's blog is at http://maxhogarth.blogspot.de/2014/03/saturday-seven-lakes.html and his pictures are at https://plus.google.com/photos/102257273463070793435/albums/5988092975507307873/5993728140579974546?pid=5993728140579974546&oid=102257273463070793435

It is still March and at lunchtime I was out in my short trousers and tricot. I am really enjoying this early summer.

Another lunch time of hill climbing. This time straight up to Ellegg in the hope of getting a good section in zone 3 - didn't work too well.

Got nearly to the Metzeler Alp and then turned back as the road still had snow on it.

22.6km and 530 meters of climbing
Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=azmcfbbblkvhdqmt