Radmarathon

What we like - Day 51. Riding the Balinea Thermen Radmarathon.

Five differing distances, five differing profiles, five differing ways to "feel the burn". There was the "family ride" (of 35k or 21 miles), then a 75K, a 110K, 155K and a 240K. Knowing our own limitations (not being Tour de France riders, that is, and not having the high-tech Rennrads) we opted for the 75K (that is, 46.6 Miles).

Want to know the route? Pull up your Google Earth (or use MapMyRide) and input the bold names in the text below to ride along! We were on the main roads and bike trails (but not the Autobahn, ok?)

The day was lovely, although it was looking to be a little on the warm side, so we got an early start. Leaving Bad Bellingen at 8:15am, we proceeded south to Efringen, then on to Egringen. From there it was a nice ride up the valley (Kandertal) passing by Holzen and on to Riedlingen.

Madge can ride her bike with no handlebars, no handlebars, no handlebars ... (sorry, gratuitous song reference)

Above: Paul and Madge on the trail between Holzen and Riedlingen

Madge at the first checkpoint in Kandern (25K and going strong)

Above: Some of the "competition" - okay, there was not really a competition, these are just the profis in their blue club Tricots (a Velo club from Dornach, Switzerland). The blue team was riding the 110K distance. Some other Swiss riders (at the table) were also riding the 75K. We rode as a loose group with them for most of the distance.

From Kandern we proceeded on through Sitzenkirch, Johannesbreite, Sehringen and on to Badenweiler.

Madge climbing up towards Badenweiler. This part of the ride was lovely - in the shade and with gorgeous views!

Looking out at the valley from up on the mountain.

Another view of the valley.

... and Madge heads down a little hill and around the corner.

At the bottom of the hill, we rode through Badenweiler, then on up a hill through Schwärze (small enough that you will not find it on Google Earth). We hit 63KPH (that's about 38MPH) coming down the hill into Britzingen.

Riding through the vineyards above Britzingen, we saw this neat sign for a little Dorf (very small village) called Muggardt. We like foxes. ^..^

We then wound our way through Laufen and Dottingen, with another checkpoint coming up in Heitersheim.

Madge at the last checkpoint in Heitersheim (50K in only 25K to go). They had water and snax at both checkpoints and we re-tanked our water bottles at each stop.

Some lovely flowers along the road.

We like poppies.

If you are still Google-mapping the route (you are? cool!), from Heiterseheim, we rode on through Grißheim, Zienken, and Neuenburg. The wind was right in our face and the sun was hot! It took a bit of work to get back to Bad Bellingen (and I had put the camera away to concentrate on riding), but we made it! Next on le Menu - a Tour in France (but not "le Tour").

Happy trails, everyone!

Count down: Saturday 59, Sunday 58 Monday 57,

Saturday July 3rd; Countdown - day 59 - I like living here, when during the World Cup, I can be surrounded by 3,000 of our closest Friends while watching Germany boot Argentina 4-0.

✈

Sunday July 4th; Countdown day 58 - what I like about living here is even while in Europe we are able to celebrate our Nation's Independence Day with good American friends and that we can spontaneously sing the American National Anthem AND make it sound great with harmonies and proper breathing and inflection. Guess we have sung that a time or two in our childhoods! Oh, say can you see....!!!!

plus good hamburgers and marshmallow roasting.

✈

Monday, July 5th, Countdown day 57 - I like hearing a hawk call so directly overhead, that I duck to see if it is landing nearby.

Count down day 60, FRI-day What I like...

One of the local stores has started to re-carry drinks in a can. What I like about this is that there is a "Pfand", or as we older kids remember as a "Deposit". Here in Germany, the deposit is 25 cents for plastic bottles and aluminum drink cans, 8 to 10 cents for bottle and glass jars. It may be a pain to pay up front for the use of these items, but boy does it make you bring them back to get your refund! That refund money has saved my more than once in the check out lane. I like deposits on bottles!

Count down day 61, Thursday, What I like...

Day 61

• I like hearing the local church bell ring the top of the hour.
  

Count down day 62, Wednesday

day 62

• I like being able and being expected to hang out my laundry...

there is a controversy about that "right" in some areas of the USA at the moment.

Count down day 63, Tuesday

• day 63 I like being in a room of 5 friends and then notice that we are from 5 different continents!

• 
  

What I like 'bout here, The Count Down, Day 64

Day 64 till the flight to the USA.....

I like going for a Pole Walk about with friends
The kind of a walk that Ends
with a Breakfast
of fresh baked rolls and breads,
with various
jams and spreads,
tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar
and olive oil,
Eggs boiled hard,
wonderfully strong coffee All
Enjoyed on a fabulous Stone deck
listening to birds - watching
dogs romp 'round the garden and pond.
I like going for a Pole Walk about with friends.

Wednesday night in Germany

This is what happens on a Wednesday night at our church. Fußball!

We had over 2500 people gathered on Wednesday evening (for "Wednesday night supper"). We had several "small groups" going - one in the main sanctuary, one in the foyer, one in the bar, and one outside. Here are a few pics ...

First - outside a rather large "small group" is gathered.

Go Deutschland!

German vestments.

Inside - another group anticipates a German win ...

... and in the bar?

more people.

dinner on the lawn - Wurst, Pommes und Brot!

Hopp Hopp Deutschland!!!!

What I like 'bout here, The Count Down, Day 66 & 65

Day 66: Poppies growing as wild flowers alongside the roads and in the wheat fields.

Day 65: Sitting and sharing lunch with the older ladies from the Gemeinde "church" www.feg-rebland.de and finding out that "little Old ladies" are the same around the world.

48K for a 48th birthday

I decided, that in honor of my 48th Birthday, I would do some-thing that I had not done before.

For this special day, Thursday, June 10, 2010, I determined, as my challenge, to bike ride for 48 Kilometers.

And I did!

On a hill above Lörrach-Stetten on our way to Adlehausen. I am in Germany, the cows are in Switzerland.

I never tire of the wonder of being in two countries at once!

Taking a break in Adelhausen. We had just completed level 4 and 5 hills to get here. The water was a welcome addition as we had almost finished our own.

We made it down the hill to Schopfheim for a mid-morning refreshment and enjoyed some people watching. Hit a top speed of 57 kph coming down the hill ... I love speed, but I love my skin too, so I slowed down a bit ...,

Happy birthday to me ... I had fun!

now what shall I do next year?