Life is not a Practice

A ride through Allgäu with two great trails.



My GPS once again only saved part of the track. This is getting annoying. But luckily Wera was along so I got the track from her.

37 kilometers and 650 meters of climbing.Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=iimxyowqpakzjmfs

After so many days of abstinence I was looking forward to Tuesday cycling. But Heidi and Jon had appointments so I was out alone. Couldn't get motivated to do a huge tour so cycled round the Grüntensee.



20kms and 220 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=anjuvttywaxfvdvo

A great ride planned by Wera. Up to the Schnitzlertal via Bichel in Wertach and then down a long long trail. Fun!



32 kms with 800 meters of clmbing.
My GPS only kept half the track so here is a link to Jon's data
http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=ulmbqwwticrlzsri

Photos are at https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNv1rMqVebUDOGzhnPcKFiq4lEpul7V6AzE_1to

Jon wanted to cycle up the Alpspitz so we did.
And then down towards Kappel and then back up to the back of the Edelsberg and then along a great (but very slippy) trail to Stuibental and then home. :-)



Gremml, Jon, Heidi and I. A fantastic tour!

25km with 1040 meters of climbing and some steep up and back down. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=glhbysgmwyiibmsu

Pictures are at https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNv1rMqVebUDOGzhnPcKFiq4lEpul7V6AzE_1to

Today a Sunday tour was planned but shortly before it was due to start Inge cancelled it because it was cold and wet. But Heidi and I were already dressed and ready to go so we went alone.



I had a new route that I wanted to try so we went out and did that. To Pfronten and up to the Pfrontner Alpe and then along the path towards the Bärenmoosalp. Before the Achsele we turned down in to Hölltal. Much of the descent I could not ride with soaking wet stones but we'll try again when it is drier.



In Vilstal we went to the Kalbele Hof for a coffee and then via Rehbach, Unterjoch and the Grüntensee home.

Lots of very light drizzle but the only real rain was just before we got home in Gschwend.

51 km with 1187 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=edlmrmizxaxcemit

Photos are at https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipNv1rMqVebUDOGzhnPcKFiq4lEpul7V6AzE_1to

The week began with catamaran sailing on the Atlantic and finished today sailing on the Gefion off Kiel.
We were at a conference on the north sea coast and on the final day there were two sailing ships booked for our party.



The four hour trip was sightseeing on the Kieler Bight. There was plenty of wind but with such a heavy boat we cruised at a leisurely 3-4 knots. We were overtaken by a British aircraft carrier and saw a huge variety of ships and boats.



On the way back I asked if I could take the helm and did so for the next two hours. It was an interesting experience as the ship weighs 60 tonnes and is 16 meters long. It turns as you want it to but does so after a very long lag. It was also the first time I have had to steer off to avoid a monstrous warship coming my way.



The homepage of the ship is at
http://www.gefion-info.de/das-schiff/

Fotos at https://photos.google.com/u/0/album/AF1QipOeB3yFvNYEDkk0i60fyjXAo31KuTUJ3AS41IAw

This week we were on holiday in Portugal. On the beach they were hiring catamarans so we took one each day. The first and second day three of us took a boat out. The other two had not sailed before so the light winds and gentle seas were perfect to learn the basics. After these two days the two new sailors were really getting the hang of things.

On the afternoon of the second day we were also towed round the bay by a speedboat sat on a huge nlow up couching - "extreme couch surfing".



On the third day there were strong winds and rolling seas. Chris and I were out playing until he was frozen through. We were managing fast runs across the wind and at a steep angle to the waves which ensured we got soaked every time the catamaran dug into an extra large wave. It always seemed to be Chris taking the brunt of the cool Atlantic water.



On the last day Rhiannon also wanted to come out sailing so we split in to two teams of two. The two new sailors took out one catamaran while Rhiannon and I went out on the other. This gave us a great chance to appreciate the speed as we repeatedly met on opposing tacks driven by a strong offshore wind.

Photos are at https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipOeB3yFvNYEDkk0i60fyjXAo31KuTUJ3AS41IAw and some more that only the family can see are at https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipMMyVvX1h27hsXczmulAFtPO1VAbu5u3J5J_5_e

There is a legend that you can ride a mountain bike from Tannheimertal, past the Schönkahler to the Bärenmoos Alm. It is a story that every mountainbiker hears. The track is not shown on any map and there are no links to it in Internet but "it is definitely possible".

The newest person to hear the legend was Caro. I explained that it was untrue and that you had to push your bike but she knew better. So today she, Stefano and I set out to cycle this ghost.



We cycled through Vilstal to Tannheimertal, up to the Zugspitzblick and then along the forest track towards the Einstein. We ignored the sign to the Schönkahler as I knew from previous attempts that this led through a bog and took the next left. Much pushing, carrying and bog-riding later we reached a new forest track that went round the Pirschling. Followed that to the end and then pushed up to the ridge between the Pirschling and Schönkahler. Amazing views and great photos.



We cycled down to the Pfrontener Alpe. From here a path continued on to the Bärenmoos but Caro was against more pushing/carrying. She was certain the track going downhill would meet the Bärenmoos trail so we headed off downhill and as expected ended up in Achtal. Change of plan - drink in the Fallmühle. And then another change of plan - home via the Hündelskopfhütte.

55km and 1450 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=kxuqzpqitsakxfib

All the pictures are at https://photos.google.com/u/0/album/AF1QipNv1rMqVebUDOGzhnPcKFiq4lEpul7V6AzE_1to

A very quick ride round the lake with Heidi. There is always time for "once round the lake".



21km with 220 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=qlflfnmumtdeelav

Was out all day mountain biking but Wera, Heidi and I had agreed to cycle this evening so I met them at six. Sepp and Moni came as well. We cycled through Jungholz up to the Pfeifferberg and then back down to Nesselwang.



31km and 840 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=xlbstpvizmbunamc.



In total I did 77km today and climbed a total of 2300 meters!

Out Mountain biking with Hetti, Hopsing, Karin and Moni. It took us a bit to reach the start of the tour in Austria as today is the day the catholics process around town so the road was closed for 20 minutes. A fantastic tour through stunning scenery. All track and trail with hardly any road. From Austria we cycled across the hills back to Germany and past the King's Castles. From there we cycled back to Austria climbing 700 meters.



After a rest next to a hut we rode down the "Jäger Steig" - an amazing steep, rocky trail.



Finally another 700 meters of climbing up to an Alp in the full heat of the midday sun. One part was stupidly steep gravel and only Hopsing rode it all. We ate lunch accompanied with the lots of liquid and enjoyed the views across the mountains.



On the way back to the cars we depressed a few young men by sailing past them with each of the ladies giving them a sweet smile :-)

45kms with 1482 meters of climbing! Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=tjejiynxmpoljnhl

Because she did not have time last night, Heidi wanted to go out on the race bikes tonight.

No problem!



47km eith 434 meters of climbing. Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=ixgvmjsyawjrbtti

Tuesday evening. Jon on holiday in Egypt and Heidi out elsewhere so there was just me.

Didn't have a plan so just wandered around chosing left or right at random.



75km with 818 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=aoilqleinobdrapn
Just over 3 hours so a moving average of 24,6 km/h!

Cycled up to the Roßbergalpe for Sunday lunch. Obviously all the race biking has paid off as I rode almost the whole way without needing my small cog at the front.

Spent a relaxing few hours listening to the locals discussing farming. There was, of course, a none stop supply of food and drink. Nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon.


The photo is of the Metze Berg. A song about the lady who ran this Alp is on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RV0q5LXlAE

39km and 818 meters of climbing. Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=iakdbcgiqzxbzfjc

An afternoon MTB tour round the Grüntensee taking in the Ellegg with its stunning views in to Tannheimertal.



24km and 508 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=obonnrogyxaihysf

A fantastic Thursday evening tour. Planned by Wera. This trip had a bit of everything with some beautiful trails and views.



The sun was shining and it was light almost until we got back to the pub. A great group of friends. This is the way biking should be.