Sep 04
Because there is no bicycle-friendly road along the Danube Gorge, I had to take a boat for these 5 kilometers or so. This was also the first time that I was a real special sight to all old Austrian tourists. They abviously had never seen a recumbent bicycle…
Sep 03
After a reasonable night in the CityNightline train, where I did pay to get a couchette instead of the sleeperseat that was no sleeperseat because of a brake problem and the resulting spare-train, this is the view of Ulm’s cathedral at 7 in the morning.
Kind of strange, by the way, all the people who are on their way to work like everyday, while I am at the start of this big trip…
Sep 02
After 48 kilometers today to Arnhem and a good pasta meal with Jos, this is the scene while waiting for the night train to Ulm.
Aug 30
Most of the stuff is packed (somehow it all fits inside my smallish panniers).
Only one day left at work and then the big adventure will begin: 2700 kilometers of cycling in the coming 6 weeks.
The route Ulm to Istanbul is mostly flat (good when riding a recumbent
bicycle), but will be a bit hilly in the last part through Bulgaria and Turkey.
I’ll see how that goes…
The elevation profile:
Jul 09
Preparation for my ride to the Eastern edge of the European Continent in September / October. The flight for the way back is booked and preparations on the bike are coming along nicely:
The Raptobike is fitted with new rims and tires, a new chain, new cassette, a disc brake at the front to prevent the rim from excessive wear and new brake pads at the back. Basically, it is a whole new bike, apart from the frame, seat and rack. Waterproof panniers for the rear are on the way, as well as an extra-large bottle cage that will go on the nose-boom and a hydration system so that I can drink while riding 🙂 This machine should now be good enough to get me to the city with the Blue Mosque…
Jun 19
Glorious sunshine over Edinburgh today. Perfect for a walking tour through the city. Too bad that my flight home will take off in the afternoon.
Jun 18
Many places that look like they might be worth visiting. Maybe next time? Back in Edinburgh tonight for the Scottish Night of Adventure!
Jun 17
Day 2 on the West Highland Way. The first 12 kilometers were fantastic, the last 12 less spectacular with the track going mainly through forests and seriously hurting feet an legs. With 9 degrees centigrade it was almost too warm when going uphill. The rain has stopped since last night and the number of midges remained acceptable. These two days of walking have given a taste of what a fantastic walking area this is. More to come in the future…
Jun 16
Walked the 6th stage of the West Highland Way, the long distance walking path that goes all the way from Glasgow to Fort William in the Highlands. My walk was from the Kingshouse Hotel in Glen Coe to the small town of Kinlochleven. It was a bit busy on the track because of a race for hillwalkers that was going on in the opposite direction. The walk to Fort William tomorrow will probably be much more quiet… Photo from the top of the Devil’s Staircase (still Scottish weather):
Jun 15
From the top of an original double-decker bus to the city center. Original Scottish weather as well…
Jun 11
The elderflowers (holunder, vlierbesbloesem) in the forest were so beautiful that I just had to use them for something. The yield from last weekend: 10 bottles of elderflower cordial and 8 jars of jelly. That will last for a while…
May 27
The food at a real Italian restaurant was superb: Antipasti, bread with olive oil, pommodorini, lamb chops, sausages, red meat, beans spinach, patati, tea, cappuccino, vino rosso. In one word: superb.
May 26
Rain and thunder at night, but sun and heat during the day. Nice flying conditions, but the locals say it can get even better…
May 22
Finally the first flight of the year this morning: a one-hour public bus trip took us to the Melchboden starting area at 2000 meters above sea-level, 1400 meters above the Zilltertal. With quite heavy wind-gusts, the start was not quite so easy, but we all successfully took off at the first try. Flights were short, as there was hardly any thermal activity, but it was good nonetheless. Rain now, but looking forward to the next days…
May 21
The Fohn wind does make for an enjoyable temperature at least. At the same time, flying is not a good idea. Wandering in the Zillertal instead…
Apr 23
Four of these beautiful owl chicks have flown out of their shelter next to my back yard today. Some with eyes open, but all very relaxed and seemingly content with their new, expanded world.
Apr 22
After a lot of hesitation about the weather, I decided to join this years RaptoRide at the last minute.
22 Raptobike riders showed up in Amstelhoek, from where we rode through the very Dutch landscapes. The dark clouds disappeared soon and were replaced by a blue sky and sunshine. Some sunglasses would have been nice…
For a change, it was possible to talk to people at the same level without looking up all the time, the benefit of riding a tour with only low-racer recumbent bikes. At the end of the day, the odometer had added another 120 kilometers to the count.
Apr 17
A small trip to the coast for attending some work training brought me to the center of the Dutch flower bulb region. Due to the weather, the flowers were not that colorfull yet, but so many flowers together are worth a photo anyway.
The way back was not too comfortable: rain and strong winds finally made me surrender and take the bike on a train for the last 30 kilometers. I did cross the 3500th kilometer since the start of the year though, as much as in the whole of last year…
