Only three years back, the climb up “Apfelbach” (“Apple Creek”), then “Apfelbaumweg” (“Apple Tree Road”) and finally the “Ursenbacher Höhe” (“Ursenbach Heights”) were still reserved for the warmer time of the year. And each time we mastered these roughly 450 m, starting with a steep ramp in the village of Hohensachsen, was deemed special.
What a difference regular training through the winter months makes.
Over the past years, I collected and tasted a variety of different energy and electrolyte gels. Mainly in the context of “RTFs” (“Radtourenfahrt”, similar to Gran Fondos), other group rides and the occasional “Jedermannrennen” (race-style events, a step up from RTFs, but where everyone can participate and it is your own choice to ride competitively or not), gels are handed out at stops and control points — both as a means for brand marketing as well as a source of nutrition. To me, most of those gels had a far too “artificial” undertone to their flavor.
Today, I tried out a different caffeine+electrolytes+carbs gel. Great taste! However, you may not be able to stomach more than one per ride, especially if you are not accustomed to maple and high-caffeine supplements. See the gallery picture below for details 😉
Also: Cows, are they haunting me — or is it the other way around?
Among the earliest pictures of myself standing upright and interacting with live beings other than family is one where I very distinctly chat with a cow. You know, one of the typical Schwarzbunte (engl. German Black Pied cattle). And ever since, when I pass them on a bike or otherwise, I politely greet and sometimes jokingly taunt them. Mooo!
