Letter 2
Friday 22.07.11
I had reached the conclusion that it must have been the the tape inside
the rim and some sharp edge that had caused the punctures. The tape is
now back in position - but I should have been wiser.... When I pump
again after having put on the fixed tube, I see it luckily: there is a
crack in the edge of the tyre.... and the tube is on its way through...
exactly like in Chile 2002. My almost new Continental tyre! Then I got a
new one, when I reach back home and wrote them a letter. Even I had
thrown the old (new) one out.
So the tyre is finished. Angela takes me to the bicycle shop in the next
town, she's going to fetch some stuff for Johannes anyway. I get the
king of bicycle tyres: Schwalbe's Marathon. 21€, really a good bargain.
I also buy an extra tube. The woman in the shop suggests it could have
been a poorly adjusted brake shoe that caused the trouble? I check it
later. No, it wasn't! What's the chance of twice in a lifetime having an
expensive tyre with the same built in fault? Maybe Continental should
check their quality procedures?
It's raining today, so maybe there will be no small trip in the
surroundings? The entire family Johannes included is going to a roofing
ceremony at some member of the family. It's i BIG family so I don't
recall exactly who, but I'm on my own all afternoon. I've made a route
according to the different advises they've given me, now we'll have to
see if I can go. It's still raining.
I've got internet connection and the forecast for Alpirsbach from DMI
(Danish Meteorologic Institute) promise: SUNSHINE and nothing but
sunshine. Maybe I ought to write to them?
Against all expectations the rain stops and I set off. The first part I
have to go on sunday too when I leave. It goes uphill to Rötenberg, so
now I can check the climb - even I'm without luggage. It seems bearable.
I make a calculation for the upper part: 500 m and 40 m on the
altimeter, that makes 80 m in 1000 m, which is 8%.
The reason for my interest in percentages is, that I can't use the two
smallest gears. The screw is stuck. So how steep climbs can I do with
the available gears? Furthermore a glance in a car map I found back home
revealed that the climb at Arlberg Pass reaches 13%.
I get to Rötenberg and have to follow a bicycle road. As usual I'm too
quick. I thought Rötenberg to be rather small and therefore I'm sure the
bicycle road must be the one going left. Sometime later I realize that
might not be correct. I get into the wood on doubtful paths, but
encounter an asphalt road, that will probably bring me back? But I don't
recognize anything but after a new attempt I find the one I came from in
the end.
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| The road is going UP to Rötenberg | And 17% down towards Schenkenzell |
A new closer look to the map reveals the bicycle road and I take it.
Luckily there's someone to ask if this road leads to Schenkenzell? Yes,
sure. Immer gerade aus! That's easy for her to say. The road curves AND
divide. It's hard to tell which is the "main road". I take the wrong
branch before I'm sure at last. A truck passes, so it must lead
somewhere.
I'm convinced it's the right one when a sign turns up: 17%. That's
the steep down hill they told about. I turn around a couple of times to
try to climb it. No problems. I'm without luggage, but it should be
doable also with, I reckon. Not that it would be easy! But come on
Arlberg! I'm ready.
 |
 |
| View over Schenkenzell | Alpirsbach greets me welcome back |
From Schenkenzell I should have started a round trip to the valley
behind Alpirsbach, but the time and the wheather makes me give it up.
That must wait till tomorrow unless it really get's rainy all day like
they've promised. (The german forecast, I've given up on DMI)
I turn on the TV and find a channel that shows the final climb on the
stage to Alpe d'Huez. Intriguing! Then I find some news and see the
first scaring pictures from the Norwegian disaster. It's getting closer!
27.92 km
14.2 km/h
42.8 km/h
1:57:12 h