Zugspitze alpine cycling

The time has come again, time for another tour with my biking buddy and cousin. This time, we started in Garmisch-Partenkirchen and had planned a 4-day round trip in the Zugspitze area. Cycling around crystal clear and turquoise Eibsee, we crossed the first summit and stopped for a short break at Hochthörle Hütte (absolutely recommended - delicious food).

We could have stayed there for a little longer, but time was ticking and still a few kilometres to go. We passed Ehrwald, before riding uphill again, stopping again at Seebensee, to evaluate how to proceed best.

We haven't been that high up, but the snow was still there. In June, mid of June. And the most difficult part still to come. We had an idea, a bit risky, admittedly, but obviously the only and best solution.

Hiding the bikes in the bushes (no locks taken with us) seemed to be the only way out. Okay, pushing or carrying the bikes would have been the other thing. But it was already hard enough the way it was. We just needed a little bit of luck and trust in people that our bikes were to be found the next morning where we have placed them the evening before.

Besides us, a bunch of other people have found their way to the Coburger Hütte too.Cottage life at its best. Good food, some beers and chats with other people across the tables.

What a surprise - bikes still there the next morning, both. Time to keep on rolling.

Temperatures dropped, rain every now and then. And it came even worse.

In Scharnitz, we bought provisions like smoked ham and cheese and bread, for the approaching mountain. Quite a long ride. But then, we heard that our day 2 destination, the Hallerangerhaus, was still covered with snow and therefore, has not opened up yet. I understood then why no one replied via Email or phone. Hence, we needed to reschedule.

We didn't have many options. The Pleisenhütte was the one to be not far to seek. Luckily, they even had two beds vacant in a 12 bed dorm. Perfectly happy!

I don't know how sleeping was possible at all. At least 3 out of 12 snoring, window and door kept shut. Such a short night, or long night, depending on the perspective.

We then took the route via Mittenwald, a well known area. Weather was better again, maybe too good and kinda hot when ascending in direct sun. But ok, not really something to complain about.

Overheating not possible - meltwaters, feeding the rivers, cooled us down again.

Cycling through the Großer Ahornboden, a dead end street, but well known for its beauty. A lot of people had the some idea. Luckily not all of them had the intention to stay overnight at Binsalm.

Last stage, all the way back to Garmisch-Partenkirchen via Finzalm and Almgasthof Esterberg. Perfect finish, especially because we finished right before the thunderstorm started.

Cycling along rivers - Ilm and Gera

Such a long time ago that this happened: cycling the area I used to know best. Regions where I lived, before and during my studies. Starting point was Arnstadt, before heading east towards Stadtilm, going through Langewiesen where I spend almost 5 years and Ilmenau, and finally heading north again and back home. Kinda following my own footsteps.

Rotterdam & Brielle - some work to do

Rotterdam has changed a lot. Modern and futuristic architecture, mostly in the city centre around and near the main train station, gives Rotterdam a complete appearance. 

Even though I have visited this city every now and then, there is always something new to discover. Besides the typical Dutch architecture with its brick-build houses with huge windows (and no curtains) and restaurants and shops, Chinatown and other Asian stores are just around the corner.

The dunes and beaches near Ouddorp. Always worth a visit.

The massive Rotterdam harbour streches for miles, more than 30 kilometres from the city to the North Sea. Quite impressive thing to catch a glimpse of the containerships.

And right in between the ports of transshipment and refineries, national preserves can be found.

Before going back home, there still was some time for a little expedition in Rotterdam again.

Dresden

A few days somewhere else, like a break out of the routine at home. We picked a centrally located hotel, with a modern and cozy room, and good breakfast.

We had our bikes with us and rode along the river Elbe, downriver first to Meißen, and back on the other side. Sometimes you find places where time still stands still and seems not to run at all, for years.

Time for a break at Schloss Wackerbarth, with a glass of wine.

And back in Dresden ...

Emergency in Tallinn & Rakvere

That's what happens when showing up at work on a Monday morning, hoping for a smooth day and week. The first meeting taught be differently. I went straight back home, packed my stuff and took the first flight the next morning.

Where to? A place I know well already. Tallinn first, and further on to Rakvere then. Emergency case, fixing a leakage at the Valve Cooling System at the Converter Station. Everything took a while, so I missed the wellness and sauna thing at the hotel. The only thing to do in Rakvere, gone! More luck next time.

On the way back, I had some additional hours in Tallinn, at least. Weather was nice, still not too crowded as it was in the middle of the week in April. A perfect chance to walk around a bit, checking on things if they were still the same compared to a few years ago. Always good to be back.

Back in the Finnlandia country

Every once in a while, it's time to go back, to visit friends, and if work requires it. I picked a new hotel, in Helsinki's east, located at the seaside, more secluded and remote, with above-standard breakfast - hotel Rantapuisto.

Streets were frozen over everywhere, thick layers of ice and icy wind. Spikes on the wheels were helpful though. Still, I always double checked when parking the car somewhere.

Incredible India Part II

I arrived at New Dheli airport, the flight itself went well, what else when flying Business. I passed the arrival hall, and was supposed to be picked up. But by whom? I just had a name, and a mobile number. Which I tried to call, but somehow couldn't get through at first, and then didn't hear anything. The guy on the other end obviously did, and called back. With the same result. So I had to wait, with no clue for whom and where and for how long.

Then, a small guy came outta nowhere, walked towards me and I assumed he was calling my name. I replied, and it obviously went forward. He took me to a taxi rank. I had to wait again, still not sure if that was the right thing. The guy left, and another one came across, waved me to him and made me sit in his car. Quite dusty vehicle, warn seats, his back mirror broken, one of the outer ones didn't even exist. Felt really safe.

After another while where I didn't know what was actually happening, and waiting for someone looking like a taxi driver, a big guy approached and took a seat. He turned out to be my driver. And luckily, he had some scraps of English. We were leaving the airport, and 10 minutes later, he explained he needed to prepare for the long ride. We took the next turn right, a dead end which ended up in an huge open air parking area, with workshops. Half of the cars were crap and not repairable anymore. My driver flipped some rupees to a bunch of guys and they immediately started to clean our car while we were going to the "canteen". It seemed to be a bunker, with a few tables and chairs, dark and smoke-filled, but cooking on fire places, tea with milk served from behind a counter. Cats and dogs trying to get food leftovers. I had a Chai tea, with milk, just to have at least something and to turn down the offer. I was searching for a rubbish bin, my driver simply took and dropped it. "Welcome to India", he just said.

Then we hit the road again, left Dheli behind us as streets were getting smaller and more rough. The traffic itself got better, but not less dangerous though. A break was more than welcome. My driver wanted me to taste his favourite fruits. I still don't know what it was. Green, tennis ball sized. The fruit was cut and salt was scattered. It tasted weird - eatable, but so weird.

It took us 4 hours to reach our destination, in the middle of nowhere. A region called Mohindergarh. I stayed in a guest house, located right next to the converter station where I was working for the next days. There were a few chefs too who prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner. Really no need to try to go somewhere else. For a good reason. There was nothing around - for kilometres.

The meals themselves were well prepared and really good. Roti bread, rice, some kind of beans-vegetable-mixture and curry. And some pure chilies to spice it as desired.

The last challenge, the ride back at night, 4 hours through the dark. I was happy both lights were working and intact. But the Indian style of driving is not what I am used to. It's basically without any rules, the strongest wins, the first one's right. But somehow it seems to work. But so happy when entering the departure hall at the airport.