Germany - peaceonabike

June 11, 2024June 25, 2024

Cykelnerven – Summary

Note: On June 4-9, I participated in Cykelnerven, a cycling event that benefits the Multiple Sclerosis International Foundation (MSIF). We took on some of the toughest climbs to be used in this year’s Tour de France.

FRANCE

For those who prefer a simple summary.

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

I flew from Washington-Dulles at 11:30 p.m. to Rejkevick, Iceland arriving at 9:00 a.m. Sunday with my connecting flight to Milan, Italy at 8:00 a.m. on Monday. I had 23 hours to kill. Or explore. I chose to explore.

SUNDAY, JUNE 2

I really needed to rest. Instead, I did some driving in Iceland but I was very tired. My wake-up call was at 4:00 a.m. to get back to the airport and on to Milan, Italy. I didn’t see much and would have been better served to stay at a hotel at the airport and make plans to see Iceland another time.

MONDAY, JUNE 3

I flew from Iceland to Italy. When I gathered my luggage I found the hotel shuttle (with the help of the Terravision Bus guys) and went to the Doubletree Hotel. I had a sandwich in my carry-on from the hotel in Iceland that became my dinner. I did not try to sightsee in Milan. I was here 10 years ago.

TUESDAY, JUNE 4

On Tuesday, June 4, I stayed at the hotel until 2:00 p.m. and then went back to the airport which was the meeting point for our transport to Briançon, France.

At the hotel, we had staff introductions, a brief team meeting, dinner, and built bikes (for those who brought bikes and didn’t rent).

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5

We awoke to a chilly but beautiful morning. All of us would ride from Briançon to the Col du Galibier. This was the last of my “bike-it” (bucket) list climbs; one I never thought I would do after being turned back by snow on July 19, 2011.

Our second climb of the day was the HC Col de Vars to the hotel. I was last. It was a tough day.

THURSDAY, JUNE 6

We began the day with a climb of the Col de Vars. After a 15-mile descent, we had an 11-mile climb up the Cime de la Bonette, the toughest climb of the week. It will be used in Stage 19 of this year’s Tour de France. I thought I was done for the day after that as mu teammates arranged a shuttle pickup to the hotel at the bottom of the climb. I rode ahead, uphill, to the hotel, in the rain.

FRIDAY, JUNE 7

We had a 20-mile descent followed by a 10-mile climb of the Col de la Cpuillole, which will be the finishing climb on Stage 20 of this year’s Tour de France. That was followed by a 20-mile descent and a bus transfer to Menton.

SATURDAY, JUNE 8

Our route changed from the plan to an out-and-back on the Col de Turini due to a road rally being held. I went a bit short and went swimming in the Mediterranean.

Conor and Barry before skipping out on the check

SUNDAY, JUNE 9

We took a bus to the airport in Nice. Sat 10 minutes at a toll booth when the driver refused to pay the toll, got pulled over and searched by the police, and the bus broke down. What a great trip to the airport. Flew from Nice to Hamburg to connect to Zurich.

MONDAY, JUNE 10

At check-in last night at the Zurich Airport Hilton I was upgraded to a relaxation room. I could have stayed in this hotel 36 straight hours. But I went for a 35-mile ride halfway around Lake Zurich and took the ferry across.

TUESDAY, JUNE 11

I returned two weeks earlier than planned on American Airlines Zurich to Philadelphia then Philadelphia to D.C. The flight time (aloft) from Phila. to D.C. was 29 minutes. The wait for luggage: 45 minutes.

June 21, 2023July 8, 2023

Germany my Germany

SAARBURG, GERMANY

Our Germany ride would be different than the last time four years ago. And it would be much better.

Fränk announced that we would be riding in the same groups as in Holland and then Gusty and he had a somewhat spirited conversation in Luxembourgish. I was luck to have my Google Translator nearby.

Gusty: Wait, you said in Holland that I could take the cool kids

Fränk: Well it seems I changed my mind

Gusty: Please don’t make me ride with the loser group again

Fränk: Fine. I can roll out with them but if you catch us after I give you three minutes then we will just roll as one group

And with that my loser group rolled out with Fränk. We headed for the bike path that we rode back from the winery (lunch) on Sunday, down into Schengen across the Moselle River into Germany. I was consistently in the top four with a gap to the others. I enjoyed riding with our second guide, Brian from Ireland. We gapped the group a couple of times. Oops.

I also noticed that as we climbed my right foot was slipping. This was the sign of a loose screw in my cleat which was confirmed at the top of the climb.

Rest stop near Saarburg
While other s ate I sat fixing my cleat

I had been following the GPX file Fränk had sent out when at a fork in the bike path he turned right whereas the map had as going left. Unless you saw the group turn you would not have known the direction to follow. I announced that I would wait for our stragglers to make sure they made the turn. As I stood waiting the second group came by. I wondered if it looked like I had to stop to walk. Oh well.

We had a beautiful descent to the River Saar. We jumped on a bike path and eventually came to a SAG stop hosted by our mechanic, Jean-Claude. I borrowed a screwdriver and he was insistent on helping. I missed the refueling at the van but grabbed a Coke and two pastries for my pockets as we rolled out.

The second climb turned up leaving Saarburg. A ski lift ran above our heads. Bob and Heather usually rode together but Bob went up the road without her. I followed him at first but decided to do a U-turn and ride with her. She had walked in Holland on a climb and while not as tough today it seemed right helping her.

The food stop or rest stop was at the top. Both groups assembled and when it was time to leave we rolled together as one. I think, I know, Fränk really wanted to ride with his original group. We had a couple more climbs when a Strava segment popped up on my Wahoo. I do not remember riding here four years ago but I did since that is how I was able to star the segment.

We had a controlled descent to the Moselle River and found the bike path on the Germany side. We rolled together to the last rest stop and Fränk took off with three riders. This was a private ride by invitation only. Not that I would have wanted to join them.

The rest of us so headed up out of Schengen and made our way over to the bike path that we rode on Sunday. I took the lead this time and stayed there 90% of the time. I was on pace for a PR and didn’t want to get it by sitting on someone’s wheel.

It was a great day on a bike. Of the 6-7 rides I did four years ago here and the 3-4 so far this year, this was my favorite route. Unlike four years ago we did not stop for German Chocolate cake in Saarburg. What we did was much better than cake.

Although I track much of my ancestry to Germany, I haven’t studied enough to know where exactly my ancestors came from. But my DNA matches this region, the Rhineland-Palatinate. This was not lost on me as I pedaled through here wondering if 300-350 years ago my ancestors lives in this very place.

June 18, 2023March 26, 2024

France with a side of Germany

MONDORF-LES-BAINES, LUXEMBOURG

I was warned. My Whoop band showed a recovery of just 10% and was the seventh day in the last eight I was in the red. My warning was to not engage in heavy training. I ignored it. I had to.

I was antsy. My bike was missing for one week in Europe which means I hadn’t ridden in one week. Today was probably not the day to go long but I had to.

Fränk with some quick instructions
Breistroff-la-Grande, France

It was our first day of riding with Rooster Racing but we wouldn’t roll out until 11:00 am. At dinner the night before one rider, Bill, asked me a question “As a veteran of this group.” He said that he wanted to ride early and wondered if that was allowed or would be looked down upon. I told him that I was headed out around 9:00 with Alonzo and that he could join us.

We rolled out at 9:00 a.m. and went about 400 meters before leaving Luxembourg and entering France. We stopped for a photo op. I had designed a route that would take us along the Moselle River.

We came to a “road closed” sign but went through to see how far we could get. In fairness to us, we weren’t 100% sure that it was a road closure sign. And we got to the safety of a bike path that took us over the river.

We followed the path on the other side of the river and were still in France. Without notice or signage, we entered Germany, and as quickly as we entered Germany we crossed the bridge back into Luxembourg at Schengen. We climbed the hill for the direct route back to Mondorf. Partway up the climb a policeman routed us on another road. The main road was closed for a triathlon.

We started on an alternative route but Wahoo wasn’t finding an alternative. We stopped and then went back to the policeman. He wasn’t local and checked his phone. We decided to go back to the French town we came through and rode back to start arriving at 10:45 a.m.

At 11:00 we were greeted by Fränk Schleck who went over our riding rules and itinerary. We started out on the same route that I had just ridden and rode to France.

But we took a different route than four years ago and found some great bike paths. We ended up at the same place at Schengen as I had ridden earlier and climbed a long hill to lunch.

Will pitching in to change Alonzo’s flat (tubeless)

I did not have a good day on the bike. Being off the bike for more than one week had taken its toll. Also hurting was that we went out early for 21 miles before the 47-mile ride and did not have a chance to refuel before the second part of our ride.

For the first 20 miles or so I hung near the front. But the rolling hills were beginning to take a toll on me. I could feel cramps coming on.

On the way up the climb to lunch I cramped. I dropped behind the group I was riding. Fränk saw this and came back down the hill then pushed me for about 200 meters. I couldn’t figure out if it was cool or embarrassing. It was both.

This was not a good thing. Fränk was sizing up all the riders and it did not matter that I rode 50% farther than the others. He saw that I could not hang with my group on this day.

Lunch was these very thin pizzas. Will and Alonzo are ready to eat.

Lunch was a very thin pizza with an excellent view. After lunch, we followed a nice path that was flat or downhill to Mondorf.

I was feeling better and a bit recovered after lunch. The path back was nice and I had it marked as a Strava segment. I thought I might get a PR but if I was going to it was because I earned it. I went to the front and picked up the pace. And I got my PR.

I felt pretty good at the end of the day. I did have the cramping problem right before lunch which would define my week. The main group rode 47 miles and the three of us rode 68.

Will. Either pushing or hanging onto Brian’s saddle.

June 17, 2023March 26, 2024

Tour de Roosters 23

MONDORF-LES-BAINES, LUXEMBOURG

Yesterday I traveled from Basil, Switzerland to the main airport in Frankfort, Germany. Travel was easy except for returning the rental car in Basil at the train station. Which train station, as they have two.

Frankfort Airport. Hotel wing. Both the Hilton and Hilton Garden Inn are here.

I took the Deutsch Bahn train from Basil. Somehow it lost an hour on the schedule to Frankfort but was an excellent ride. When I got off the train at the station I was dreading the walk to the hotel. I was pleasantly surprised to see when I got above ground that I wasn’t really in the airport itself but the extension where my Hilton Hotel was.

Deutsch Bahn Station, Basil, Switzerland

I checked it, took my luggage to my room, and went to find the Roosters who were already there. I reacquainted with some and met some new people, all part of Roosters Racing, an International cycling team dedicated to doing good, riding hard, and living well.

My bike, which had been missing for a week, started moving yesterday. I first saw the movement on my phone tracking the AirTag. Shortly thereafter British Airways texted me like they “found” my bike which I knew where it was exactly for five days. But for the first time in a week I could fall asleep at least knowing my bike was found. They would send it to Luxembourg.

Julia Buckley reached out to me. Great appreciation.

At breakfast I was able to recount my story for the Roosters. It was the first time in a week I was relaxed. I checked Twitter and saw a reporter, Julia Buckley, had commented on one of my tweets and told me to follow her so she could send me a direct message. I did, she deleted her comment, and then offered her help in finding my bike. I told her that the bike was moving and thanked her. We talked some and she offered to write an article about this once the bike actually makes it.

We boarded a coach for the three hour trip to Luxembourg. It was inadequate for our group plus luggage. We had to load some bike cases on the seats and I’m not sure where mine would have gone if I had a bike to transport.

Danny making his way back to the restroom and climbing over bikes

I was tracking my bike and saw it was at the Luxembourg Airport and then it made it to the hotel.

We arrived and I immediately went and found my bike. I was anxious to open the case and make sure everything was still there. We all went and built our bikes but I was the only one to go for a ride.

I didn’t ride far. I could walk to France from the hotel which was about 100 meters away. By road it was about one kilometer to ride to the French border.

Danny, Fränk, Bill, Will, Lisa, Rufus, Pauly, Alonzo

We met our leadership team and, in Rooster tradition, exchanged gifts.

Keith, Alonzo, Zim, Lisa, Doug, Carl, Bryan

After introductions and just a little time to get settled, we would have our first official team meeting.

Gusty’s wife (sorry), Brian (Ireland), Martine, Daughter, Gusty, Fränk

We would have a team meeting each evening where Buffalo Court would be held. Anyone caught doing something stupid would be awarded a “Buffalo” and have to chug a beer. Exceptions were made for non drinkers.

At Buffalo Court there was the initial oath that pertained to never drinking alcohol with the right hand. Danny had everyone stand. “Now sit down if you have shaved legs.” The hairy legged monsters were left standing. And had a Buffalo.

Our week would be spent at the Mondor Park Hotel and Spa. We stayed here in 2019 and it was great to be back.

June 23, 2017September 11, 2020

Three Country Ride Part Deux

SISSACH, SWITZERLAND

Three years ago Ben Z. and I went for a three-country ride. I asked him to come up with one again. He did.

We took a train to Laufen for the start. My train ticket was 13 CHF. My bike ticket was 20 CHF. For a country that is cycle-centric, or maybe it isn’t, I think their train bike passes cost at least twice what they should be.

Welcome to France. I think. I think I can also read this sign. Speed limits in towns is 50 kph (31 mph); in the country it’s 90 kph (56 mph), and on super highways it’s 130 kph (81mph).

Laufen is near the French border of the Alsace-Lorraine region. We rode about 15 km before coming to a French sign. Ben pointed out another sign which noted that Swiss soldiers were not allowed to be on this road in uniform.

The road turned up and Ben rode ahead. We quickly established that on this day I would be first down the mountains and he would be first up. We went through some French villages although we were in the outskirts of a much bigger town, St. Louis, when I suggested we stop at a bakery.

We both got a chocolate-strawberry croissant then rode to a shade location to eat. We ended up next to a school where students were practicing a dance routine. Never quite figured out what kind of school that was.

We found our way to the Three Country Bridge that connects France and Germany but looks at Switzerland. Close enough.

Ben led us through Basel, looking for a road back to the town and the climb we did three years ago. We made some sketchy moves in traffic, i.e., probably not riding where we should have.

But we got through Basel and back into Germany until crossing back over at a dam on the River Rhine.

It was hot, with temperatures in the low 90s. I carried two bottles and was going through those fast while Ben had just one.

Three Country Bridge that connects France and Germany

We looked for water – easier in Switzerland than France or Germany. I didn’t feel I was getting enough and I know Ben couldn’t have been.

We began the last climb which would take us over the “hill” to Sissach. It was quite a formidable climb. Ben took off and 2-3 times pulled over until I dragged my butt up to him. I was in a granny gear and wasn’t going to work any harder. Or couldn’t work any harder.

But at the top Ben was lightheaded. His wife had biked up from Sissach (quite impressive actually) and he had planned lunch at a restaurant up the hill from the summit. A second summit.

Ben said he was so light-headed couldn’t control his bike. He rested and gathered himself and then we descended, with me being the fastest. Weight wins.

On the descent, I hit 75 kph which is 47.5 mph. Had I known I would have pushed it to 50 mph. But it was my fastest speed of the time I was in Switzerland.

Switzerland. France. Germany. It was a most excellent trip. Thanks Ben!