Life is not a Practice

Eight of us were going to cycle today. But then it was cold and rainy and we were 7, 6, 5 and finally 3.
Inge, Heidi and I drove to Hindelang and then cycled up to the Burgschrofenweg in drizzle and then enjoyed a long descent along lots of interesting tracks.



Arrived back at the car in sunshine.

My photos at https://goo.gl/photos/6ddzpfM69G3NzYWv6

25km and 890 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=qujzbaqtegyxautz

All summer Caro has been wanting to do the Schrofen Pass. It was getting to be a bit of an obsession. Today was a perfect autumn day so the three of us decided to "go for it". We had a plan and we had a few backup plans if 80kms and 2400 meters of climbing turned out to be too much for an autumn day.

We left from the Fellhornbahn with the temperature hovering around 6°C, a little colder next to the river, and then cycled along the valley and up the Schrofen Pass. The last time I cycled this route was about 20 years ago and it was just as impressive then as it is now. Stefano admitted to "shaky knees" when he saw the route across the cliff face but we all managed the pass no problem.



After a coffee in Warth, we crossed over in to the Bregenzerwald following the "alte Salzstrasse". Then it was 800 meters downhill on tarmac roads to Schoppernau. Since then I have been humming "Vo Mello bis ge Schoppornou" non stop.

We took the lift 800 meters up the mountain and then carried on cycling towards the Starzeljoch before pushing the last 40 minutes up to the pass. Once over the pass we stopped for a bite to eat at the Stierhofalpe.



By now it was late so we adopted "Plan B" and descended in to the valley and followed the road down through Kleinwalsertal. We took the shortcut back in to Stillachtal via the 300 meter climb to the Schrattenwangalpe.

I had estimated 10 hours and shortly after that, and just before dark, we were back at the car.

79 kilometers with 2336 meters of climbing. Tracks at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=zdkaljprqpwbmakj and http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=mjktxskvclhrjlmm

My pictures at https://goo.gl/photos/4MQtaFepeMrDQWbo8

Stefano's track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=arsjhixsctojubhw. This shows 3210 meters of climbing with 800 on the lift so 2410. we aren't going to argue about the odd 100 meters. We both agree about the 79 km.

Stefano's photos are at https://goo.gl/photos/4Vb3Q7NNnWgKLMtN7

Between the rain showers Heidi and I went out for a quick up- and back downhill ride. It wasn't raining but we were wet enough from the water being sprayed by our tyres.

7km with 370 meters of climbing. Track at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=ceenoagyjzdnnrec

Fourth and final day of our Italy biking trip. A Sunday "stroll" around Meran visiting the "tourist points".



Two interesting (and steep) trails - one on slippy river stones and one down steps.

28km and 682 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=kwmmpmyvafgdfkgi

My pictures at https://goo.gl/photos/urhFXKrYeCWhZh4QA

Our third day in Italy. Once again we used a cable car to get up in to the mountains and then continued on up steep tracks to an Alm for lunch.



Lots of interesting trails all the way back down to the hotel just beating the thunder and lightning.

32 kms and 1015 meters of climbing (without the 900 in the cable car). Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=oxghkpupzaoywogq

My pictures at https://goo.gl/photos/urhFXKrYeCWhZh4QA

Our second day in Italy and a superb tour planned by Wera.



We used the Meran 2000 cable car to get up in to the mountains and then enjoyed some exciting trails and stunning views. On one descent I went over the handlebars and landed on my head directly on a sharp rock. Luckily my helmet took the impact and was destroyed but my head was OK.

47.7 km and 1414 meters of climbing (without the 1000 meters in the cable car). Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=izivjcmawajuypmt

My pictures at https://goo.gl/photos/urhFXKrYeCWhZh4QA

First day cycling during our autumn mountain bike trip. We stopped off in Schlanders on our way to Meran and cycled up to an Alp. Ate a salad with the ingredients fresh out of the garden.



On the way down we followed an exciting bike trail (http://www.bikesport-magazin.de/holyhansen) which was great fun.

18.6km and 915 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=nkhhfegyfozfwmrx

My pictures at https://goo.gl/photos/urhFXKrYeCWhZh4QA

Hubert was with Group 1. His pictures are at https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B_sTz_QNmXn6RUgxLXZkN3lHWU0

A Sunday tour organised by Caro and with Moni & Hetti. We took things "really gently" - my average moving pulse was 104.


(take a close look at the picture and you can see the three ladies waving at the bottom.)

After cycling up to the Ödenalpe for lunch, we cycled to a cafe for capuccino and cake and then back over a small Austrian pass.



77km and 1746 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=hqfjvorimalnkfvx

My pictures are at https://goo.gl/photos/6ddzpfM69G3NzYWv6

I had just cycled up to the Ostlerhütte (https://neill.blogger.de/stories/2604272/) and then Heidi rang and suggested a race bike ride.

We cycled to Marktoberdorf and got lost twice on the way home but it was fun.

53km with 736 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=hemfzohlmdaicfvp

So today I totalled 93km and 1886 meters of climbing!

Picture are at https://goo.gl/photos/6ddzpfM69G3NzYWv6

I needed to go up to the Ostlerhütte to take a look at our station up there so I took the opportunity to mix biking and working.



From the village of Pfronten to the restaurant on top of the mountain is 1000 meters of climbing but I took things nice and steady.



At the top I enjoyed a well deserved beer and soup and enjoyed the view. Last time I was up there was over 20 years ago when it was being rebuilt and I was doing the wiring.



Got home and enjoyed a coffee at Farina's and then Heidi rang and said "you want to go out on our race bikes?"

39km and 1156 meters of climbing. Track is at http://www.gpsies.com/map.do?fileId=guebvasgxmuphjme

Picture are at https://goo.gl/photos/6ddzpfM69G3NzYWv6