On Saturday after swimming, we caught the train out to Dielsdorf (say Dealsdorf). On Florians recommendation we would hike up to Regensberg, across the range and then finally down into Baden (say Barden) arrive well before 4pm and in time to settle down after a swim and watch the football. The first part of the hike took us through town. It is really pretty out in the country side away from the city. Up the hill to the castle at Regensberg. (berg means hill or mountain). It is an old fortress that was built in the 13th century. Read more about Regensberg here. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regensberg).
Awesome view from the top and you can understand why having a fortress at the top of a hill like this is perfect for defence against invading armies. The view is still somewhat obscured by the heat haze that is all around. On a clear day you could see the alps and perhaps some of those mountains are still topped by snow. Regensberg has one of the deepest wells in Switzerland about 57m.
After looking around Regensberg for a little while we continued on up the hill into the forest. No other hikers but a few mountain bikers around enjoying the challenging ride up the slope. After about 2 hours we come to the top and have a drink and rest at the little restaurant. We ate our picnic lunch in the shade a little off the trail. The trail soon turned into a single track right on the ridge line no big wide track here and had to be careful picking our way along. The views were spectacular whenever we reached an open section. Views on either side of the ridge were stunning. Open pastures and small and big villages, with many a clock tower to be seen and church bells to be heard. As we made our way along the ridge almost all the way along you can here the faint jingling of the cowbells of the cows much, much further down the slope in the fields.
Julia’s sister lives near here in Boppolsen. We could see the village from the top of the ridge. As we made our way down it was clear that we were unlikely to make it into Baden by 4pm to see the kick off of the Germany vs. Argentina match. On the way down we see a small rustic picnic hut and a spring, filled our water bottles again. There were two guys there and I remarked (practicing my german you see!) that the cold water from the springs is a good place to keep your beers cold. I don’t quite think they understood me, and I certainly didn’t understand what they said back, but I politely refused their offer of a beer. Not a good idea on a hike where the temperature is again above 30 degrees. Coming into Baden you reach the end of the ridge and you can see the city on all sides flanked by the steep topography of the mountains all around and the city itself follows the path of the river. More clock towers and church bells. In the distance we hear huge cheers and know that everyone is watching the football.
We come down into town and it is deserted. Like ghost town. Everyone is out a various places watching the football. There are temporary bars set up all over town, under marquees with big screens. We find a place and huddle around the big screen and watch the game. Michelle and I went for a walk and had a look through the town and made out way back in time for most of the second half. We saw all the good goals. Germany 4-0. I suppose that makes Argentina as bad as the socceroos, or the socceroos as good as Argentina?? Seriously you can’t do much when the team is playing that good.
On the way back into Zurich on the train was packed with people going into town to Zurich fest. We must go and see what it is like, bit not tonite we are just to tired, after the hike. I like the fact that it is sunlight for so long because you can be out doing stuff till really late, that’s is also the bad thing as well. Got to bed around 11pm again.
Autobahns, sunburn, cutting off my arms and legs, and its my fault!
So titled because I had my last long ride yesterday. Sunday ended a big 3 days of training for me and I have come through it quite well. The three hour run (well not quite about 2hrs 50 mins) on Friday, swam 2 laps of the river Saturday (800m ie just on 50 mins) used the wetsuit just to practice. It was really hot in the suit I was glad to take it off in the end and just jump into the 20 degree water to cool off. Then we went for a hike. Then my long ride on Sunday.
I was a bit anxious about the ride as I haven’t been able to hook up with anyone from the tri club here to ride with. Figured if I just loop the lake then I shouldn’t get lost. If I can see the lake then I can always find my way back home again. Left late almost 10am had to wait until the early morning thunderstorm finished. Michelle accompanied me on Julia’s bicycle for the first part. We rode down the lake on the western side at a nice leisurely pace together. Passed the Lindt factory, must see if they have guided tours there as it smells delicious as you ride past. The plan was for Michelle to ride with me until the bridge and then cross the bridge to the eastern side of the lake and then I would continue on and around the bottom and meet up again on the other side. Well it turned out the be a bit further than we thought and by the time we got to the bridge we had already covered about 25 km. We parted ways at this point and I continued south, but alas, as I followed the road I lost sight of the lake and all I could see in front of me were big mountains. I didn’t really want to climb up them so I turned around and headed back across the other side to Rapperswill. (say Rarpersvill).
Lucky for me as I was riding along a person came past on a scooter that was traveling just about my pace. I ended up sitting behind the scooter for about an hour at an easy pace almost all the way back to Zurich. I passed Michelle along the way but she told me to stay behind the scooter for a bit longer, so I did. I ducked into town filled my water bottles up at the spring and retuned to find Michelle had run out of energy at this point and had resorted to walking the bike. The hot weather combined with a townie bike for a trip around the lake is not such a good idea. Michelle tells me that she was just resting, pausing for a moment of reflection. Ie “my legs and bum are really sore!”
After making sure Michelle was ok I headed off on my second lap in the opposite direction. Passed a few people and got passed by a few but I was mostly on my own. Rode through St Gallen at the southernmost part of the lake found another spring in town and filled up the bottles again. I love the taste of this water and it is really, really cold. Figured I was about as far south as I needed to be I could see those big mountains again. Didn’t know if the little road I was on would eventually turn back towards the western side of the lake so I followed this exit road and right onto the . . . . . .autobahn. This didn’t particularly bother me much, just like riding south on the new highway. Nice big wide shoulder no problems. The motorists did seem to look at me in a sort of displeasing way though and I got a few beeps. Go Aussie I took this to mean.
How to do a sprint effort in the middle of your long ride! Wait for the shoulder to end as you approach a tunnel through the mountain. Hmmmm what should I do? Ride back the way I came and try and find another route around this mountain or go through the tunnel. I chose the latter not wanting to get lost again. Waited for a break in the traffic, a big break mind you, I waited until I couldn’t see any cars coming down the highway. Then I rode as fast as I could through the tunnel, legs pumping, heart pumping even faster I reached the other side just as some cars reached the end of the tunnel as well. Phew glad that’s over, lets just get back to this leisurely stuff, on quiet roads so I can admire the country side. Suffice to say I made it back to Zurich into a stiff headwind as another storm was brewing.
Got back home, 180km covered a little under 6 and a half hours and feel pretty good. For those of you who are uninitiated with the sport of triathlons and training for such a long time, the answer is yes. Yes your bum does get sore after that long on the bike and there isn’t really much you can do about it.
Legs don’t hurt to much, this was a good day on the bike. Kath, you’ll be glad to hear I think I can do this!! So back to the title of this article. Well the autobahn bit is now self explanatory. I had sunscreen on my face and neck but my arms and legs got sunburnt, So now I have this ugly cyclists tan. Look like I just dipped my arms and legs into red paint. I don’t like it one bit. Other than an exclamation as to the fact that yes I did ride my bike for a really long time today it isn’t a good look if you ask me. I don’t know how cyclists can stand it. I want to cut off my arms and legs. First thing I get when I walk through the door is Michelle telling me I’m in trouble and its all my fault. You see whilst I got sunburnt, so did Michelle and she isn’t happy about it. Its all my fault!
Had something to eat when I got home and then we decided we should go out and see what is happening at Zurich fest. Had a great night in town. It is so busy, so many people. Watched the high diving, they have a platform set up in the lake with10m, 15 and 20m bits to jump from. That’s was cool. They also had a ski jump set up, and people were going down the ramp and then doing a trick and landing in the water. Moto cross jump ramp as well.
Heaps of big rides, stalls for food, had a big bratwurst on a roll, mmmm yum. Lots of areas where they are either playing music or having concerts. Went into one area and watched for a while it was awesome. Great band, think club champs but with way more people. Danced and waved our arms like we just don’t care. Leanne I am going to have sore calves again I think, not from training, but from dancing just like at club champs after party. Josh you would have been in your element!!!!
Finally made it back to the apartment about midnight. A big day of training, a great night of partying. I was thinking how good will it be if I can still party after finishing Roth. Don’t know if that will be possible, but a good thought anyway.
Speaking of cycling, have been able to keep up to date with what is going on in the TDF, watching a bit of TV on the lap top and have found a few websites that stream the coverage live. Watched the final part of the first stage and saw the big crashes and then finally the win by Petachi and right there in second place was the aussie lead out man for Cavendish who got dropped coming into town, Mark Renshaw, woohoo!!!
Macca came third at Ironman Germany in Frankfurt great effort and another really fast race. Even faster was the Ironman in Austria. 7hrs 52 mins (4th fastest all time). Hawaii should be very interesting this year, the performances are getting quicker and quicker all the time. The bike times are amazing. Speaking of bikes and riding, I think I know why the Europeans are such good riders, they don’t say hello. They just ride past very quickly in either direction and say nothing, no acknowledgement or anything. We waved and said hello many times and got 4 responses back the whole time. I have come to the conclusion that we are a friendly bunch of triathletes down under and that wont change, however singlemindedness can be good for training. Ie less talking and more effort. It is however hard to put in those big efforts when the scenery everywhere you look, is just like you see on the TV when they show those big European races. TDF, Giro and Vuelta.
I have found my new dream bike. Located in the bike shop just down the road is a Stevens bike all set up just for me. Unfortunately the price tag is prohibitive. See what I’m talking about right here. The Volt custom. http://www.stevensbikes.de/2010/index.php?bik_id=220&lang=en_US. Take the 360 degree tour its good. Dura Ace D12 (electronic gear changes) set up $5,599 Euro.
