Garmin Activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1144379142
281 km, 11h52, elevation gain 3806 m. Trip rating 85%
第二天的報告，從捷克西部橫貫東德國。一整天有變化多端的天氣：出太陽，下雨，下雪，刮風，等等。沿途看到的風景實在是很美。沒有看過德國的這一面！
This ride really was something else. It is my third longest ride ever and elevation is also in the top 5. Early in the morning I noticed it was dry. Thank GOD! I had my breakfast and I headed out. I did notice that the elevation 650 here made for a very low and cold temperature
In Asch in front of my hotel
Ready for business
I started pedaling, bought water and snacks at the first gas station I saw and headed for the German border; which was very close
The distance to my hotel could not be calculated at once; so I had to recalculate to a nearby city.
Less than ten KM and here I am: Bundesrepublik Deutschland!
Not the first time to make it to the German border from Prague, but now I was going all the way through Germany
The first thing I noticed about Germany was how beautiful it was.
I enjoyed this from the very first moment. It was fabulous
It invited me to make movie clips
Bundesland Bayern
It was 140 km to the place I had indicated on the map, which was half way there. I knew it would be an all-day ride today.
Little villages with slippery roads sometimes. It was clearly a winter day here
There were clouded periods and sunny open sky moments. Truly capricious weather!
Already 300 km out of Prague
Stunning panoramas in East Germany
Large wide open roads with few traffic
Some local cycling event
Obviously I was also paying attention the structure of the country, which is divided into Bundesländer and then Landskreise, you can call them districts. Here is another Landskreis
There were a lot of hills and I was accumulating elevation very fast. A lot faster than I had thought.
A political message: Germany cannot be separated
This part of Germany was just like the Czech republic: full of climbs
More and more clouds were on their way. The temperature was dropping too.
Not long after that, it began snowing...
I was hiding here and thought what my next move could be
I made a videoclip of it as well
Good thing it was only a short session of snow. Actually the weather was like that all day, phases of rain and sun, with wind and low temperatures
These fragments of sun were nice, without them I would not have made it through the massive distance
More climbing, more changing weather, it was all the same
Another long period of rain. I stopped here to wrap my backpack up nicely. I needed to protect my company's laptop. The rain was never intense but came and went continuously.
It was a very long ride and I was a long way from my destination. Moreover, it was a helluva climbing, which slowed down my progress.
It was almost five o clock when I stood here and I had some 88 km left. I called the hotel to confirm my whereabouts and let them know that I would be arriving after eight o clock.
The late afternoon also had beautiful moments and I realized what a delight daylight saving time is.
There were a few longer ascents here and at times I was feeling quite warm too. These were the most beautiful parts of my whole ride. A rare moment of divinity that struck me in this German hinterland.
Long stretches of road still presenting themselves to me in the early evening.
Ride Life!
Die Autobahn, where most of the German cars spend their time
After that, there was a long section of flat roads. I had already collected more than 3K elevation and I thought it would finally be over. I even started planning my arrival at the hotel; before eight o clock.
But the last 50 km still had a lot to offer
Fulda in 50 km, it sounded so close, especially with this weather seemingly turning for the better
However, things would take a turn for the worse...
The weather changed drastically, it began snowing and hailing and there were strong gusts of wind. On top of that, I was climbing all of the sudden to elevation 730m. That is where I entered the district of Fulda
A stark contrast with what I just saw. My beautiful summer afternoon turned into a harsh galactic mountain crusade.
I had a nervous descent downhill and there I found yet another maze of summer madness. The changes in this ride were tipping to the extreme.
More trouble ahead of me, although this view was absolutely fabulous. The contrast is indescribable!
Thunderstorms ahead of me.
This setting urged me to take several pictures. Rarely have I seen anything like it.
So much elevation, still 30 km ahead of me. Still a long road ahead of me.
It was getting extremely late. I had never cycled so late. Luckily it was daylight savings time, I had still some time ahead. Thank god!
That car shocked me! Be careful out there!
From here it was only 20 km left. Almost there!!!
The sunset was absolutely gorgeous. It made the suffering of the entire day worth while.
One night in Central Germany!
My ride today was truly epic, rarely do I get the likes of these...
Look at me in the shadow, special effect.
In the city of Fulda, only 10 km from my hotel. I was gonna make it before darkness. Fuck Yeah!!!
Almost there! Almost twelve hours in the saddle. What a ride!
Approaching Hûnfeld
What a marvelous evening. At the end of the ride, I felt lucky to be out here, lucky to be able to experience all this.
More hills in the back.
That is the village where I will be spending the night
I arrived after nine o clock, had a great meal there and hit the sack early. I was totally hammered.
All I can say is "wow"!
ReplyDeleteIt was a WOW ride fo sure!
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