第二站經過德國西部。儘管遭了一整天的強烈逆風，導致本人的平均速度降到20，可是風景無與倫比的漂亮：風和日麗！眼睛的余光裡頭形成了蔚藍，深綠跟亮黃三個顏色。整個過程猶如中歐童話。只可喜下午爆胎，害我浪費很多時間。最後還是平安無事抵達民宿了。頭兩天已經騎了450公里，準備進攻德國中部了！歡迎按連接看看所有相片！
Garmin activity: https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/1167270011
224 km, 10h49, elevation gain 3390m. Trip rating: 75%
For this stage, I decided to hit the road earlier. I got up five at ate the sandwiches I still had in my backpack. When I got outside, it was almost six o clock. The outer world was quiet and hit road without further ado. The main reason for leaving early was that my GPS was unable to calculate the distance to my next hotel, meaning that is was probably well over 250 km. I had this very same situation two weeks ago, where the total distance turned out to be a whopping 280 km!
Adding some oil to the chain, running a final inspection and then hit the road!
This place was packed with visitors yesterday evening, right now it was tranquil.
The itinerary was heading in the direction of Altenkirchen, a place I remembered from the previous ride.
Ready for departure
Landkreis Altenkirchen
It did not take long before elevation kicked in
The early morning showed me two things: 1) it would be a beautiful day 2) I would be suffering a lot of head winds.
A fine selection of little roads to lead me further easrt
These first 50 km of the ride were nearly identical to a previous ride. I stopped at this gas station for a breakfast 2.0 and some additional drinks. After all, it would be hot today
Plowing through German forests
The town of Bad Marienberg popped up in front of me. How could I not remember that name? Two weeks ago it was my salvation during a genuine blizzard. I was cold, wet, miserable and did not have an immediate solution to this ordeal, until a little youth hostel in Bad Marienberg popped up. I spent the night there, had a great dinner and breakfast. It was my safe haven! A name to remember forever: Bad Marienberg
A moment of despair as the paved roads disappeared. I used common sense to determine where the road was going, I walked and I made it to another paved road. Crisis averted!
With an MTB this would be a killer experience
This gravel road connected to the paved roads.
It was getting warmer and warmer. Time to drop some textile
Beautiful snapshots
Snapshots of a fairy tale
This view was so inspirational that I stopped here for a video report
The long stretches of German Hinterland occasionally made space for picturesque towns with ancient buildings. I was getting in touch with the true Germanic soul
Not a single cloud in the sky, quite the contrast with two weeks ago
Strike a pose
There was a lot of headwind, but since I left early, progress was still within boundaires. It seemed that I would make it well before darkness.
The complete absence of vehicles and people lifted this ride to mythical dimensions. It was m journey, my road, my unique experience
Le cyclopenseur - Bart (Yeah, this is serious plagiarism of Rodin, I know haha)
Apparently I was close to the town of Marburg. This sign allowed me to orientate well
I learned that I passed around and not through the town center of Giessen. That was nice
Too bad this store was closed. I was in need of a drink
This section was the only relative flat part of the entire 220km segment.
Too bad these never-ending headwinds did not give me to chance to develop some speed.
Marburg, coming here meant that I was straight north of Frankfurt am Main, about 350 km away from home.
I was in need for a drink and did not find any gas stations, so I used the useful places function on my GPS and navigated to one. Of course this particular gas station did not have a shop!!! Luckily there was a big supermarket nearby. I walked in with my bike and bought drinks and cookies.
That search and the break itself nearly cost me a full hour. It was three o clock when I hit the road again. At least starvation was far away now and I had all the fluids I would be needing for the next few hours.
More little German villages
On to the next hill, no lack of those today
Chilling on a sunny afternoon, life can be good!
The infinite journey east
Out of the blue, my front tire poofed and I had a flat. No idea how that happened. I marched to the side of the road and changed the tire. Luckily all of that went smooth. I did not see a sharp object in the tire, so I started pumping it up. The little pump I was carrying was functional, but unable to really add some decent pressure. I spent a long time pumping it up, but I think I never got more than 50 PSI in there. I proceeded with care, hoping I would find a house where someone would have a descent pump.
Second ride with this bike and already a flat tire. I was surprised since I was riding a 28mm tire.
There was a bar nearby and I asked people if they had a pump. One person had one at home and went to get it for me. It was also a small pump but at least I was able to put some descent pressure in there. Problems seemed solved...
There was one other big problem: somehow the tire was egg shaped instead of round. When I found another nearby town, I asked the people for a pump so I could do the tire switch all over again. There was a nice woman who had a great pump. I changed the tire a few times but the egg shape stayed. After the sixth attempt, I decided to just hit the road and see how far I could get. After all, it was getting late as well.
I just left that woman's house and I heard a pook sound. Apparently the tire shoot itself in the right position, the egg shaped pattern was gone. It was completely good to go. Man, what a RELIEF. I was so HAPPY with it. The tire had normal pressure and shape again. I could proceed my journey normally. Next time do bring a better pump though!
This ordeal had delayed me a full 2.5 hours, but summertime is great for long daylight. I finished my ride calmly
Even having time to enjoy the evening sceneries. It really is a nice time of the year
The mystery of the evening, only 15 km away from my hotel
These last 15 km still provided me with everything: flat sections, descents and ascents
Fulda 19 km, and I was not going all the way until Fulda. My hotel was before that.
I had already arrived in the right town.
What a day! Heavy headwinds, setbacks, time loss, but here I am! 2 outta 2.
Admittedly this average speed is not good at all, but I did not want to destroy myself in this wind tunnel.
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