After putting Tina on the train in Innsbruck, I sped on along superb asphalt cycle paths for 50 km and decided to do the whole leg without a break. Things got tougher for the last 40 km, mainly because the terrain is changing. The valley is getting narrower, the mountains are getting higher, now regularly over 2000/2500, and they are much closer together - ganging up on me. I spent much of the afternoon eyeing the peaks to the south in an attempt to soften them up before the big showdown, but they weren't having any of it.
So I arrived in Landeck around 5ish - it was still over 30°.
Here's a photo of Landeck that will have to do until I get to a proper Internet cafe instead of a coin-box machine in a pizza joint: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:Landeck20050508.jpg
The run was 90 km again, making a total so far of 1270 km. I was quite tired when I arrived and especially thirsty, because I drank all my bottles and had to wait a long time to fill up at a tap since there weren't many places around to buy a drink. And everything is shut in Austria all the time anyway!
Unfortunately, I was warned about some possibly adverse weather conditions on the pass I wanted to climb today (Reschenpass: http://www.dreilaendertour.com/typo3temp/5e8b0cc254.jpg), so I decided to put in a rest day. Actually, we only had a few showers (and nothing like the conditions in England and Bavaria at the moment!), but I wouldn't want to take any risks on the most difficult climb of the whole trip. The weather tomorrow is expected to be fine and clear, so I'll be able to see more on my way up too.
I made use of the rest day, visiting the castle museum, which showed me how historically important Landeck has been as a key location en route across the Alps since Roman times. There were some great views of the mountains from the tower too.
I'm opting for an early night and an early start. Hopefully, my next post will be from Italy.
Good luck with the weather in England and Germany!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
.jpg)
6 comments:
Well done Tina - well, both of u -where's the yellow jumper? We've had more rain than anyone can remember here, and our prospective buyers have decided to pull out for fear of flooding, tho it's never happened. We are a mite incandescent. I used to regularly push a 3-speed Raleigh to its limits to Studland and back, with a swim and ramble in between - that was my 28mile Alps. Keep on rollin'. All the best Peter
Hows it going Lance?
Just a quick one Ben to say thanks for everything you have done for me over the past year. Unfortunatley, as you know I am leaving Berlin tomorrow.The time has gone by so quickly. I had a fantastic time in Berlin, and have much too thank you for.Firstly, my stay here would not have been possible if it was not for your, Bettina's and Caro's help and assistance at the start. Moreover, Ben I want to thank you for accepting me into the family and most of all for being a friend. I will miss your company as well as Bettina's company. I wish you a safe return to Berlin and look foward to seeing you in Aus in January.
Cheers mate.
Jonathon
Hi, Ben! Some more news: we shall not be here between 31. 7. and 6.8.: gone to Avignon to take our minds off. House back on the market. A nice Czech soldier lives with us and he will guard the premises (friend of Vladimir, of course!)
Have fun all the way to Bologna. Try at least once a Barolo, never mind the price!
Sorry to miss you in England, but will see you soon, I am sure!!!
Love Peter and Mum
Thanks Jono, you're a real gent. I will miss the Ashes evenings, Little Britain sessions and our Neukoeln version of Brit-Aus rivalry.
Good luck with your projects down under and - GO THE CROWS!
Hi R+P:
Thanks for your regular comments. So sorry about the bad news, but excellent idea to flee to Avignon.
Peter, it sounds like you were a triathlete ahead of your time in the "olden days". :-)
Post a Comment