June 28

Well if nothing else...I can now say I have road cycled in europe. Switzerland and Germany to be exact. Not quite the swiss alps, but I did get to ride in the Black Forest, and through the Lorrach - South Baden region of Germany, which had a few long, and steep climbs. The grade on a couple was 10 % and up to 12% at one point. Really, really tough for me, but I managed it. I was fortunate enough to have a riding partner two of the 4 days I bicycled. My new found riding buddy, Christoph Schumacher, rides a Cannondale with Campy shifters and gears. He is in hisa 40's and rides extremely well. he is fast on the flats, and powerful on the climbs, and makes it seem easy! I noticed he rode in the big ring most of the time, while I was in the 39 cog trying to keep up! Even on some of the smaller hills, he stayed in his big ring...@*#&*#! I was like, wtf!? And no, he has only been riding since 2002!

Go figure. I think it is because there are just so many hills that the body adapts to that type of riding. Plus it also helps when you live on a steep hill, and the only way home is to go up! It was quite the experience to ride on european roads, and for the most part they beat ours hands down. Although, they have their fair share of crappy pavement and narrow streets. Even some of the drivers were tools like most here in the states! The majority of car drivers though are very courteous of cyclists. Probably because most car drivers ride a bike as well! There are bicycles everywhere, mostly commuter types, but I mean bikes everywhere. One thing I did notice is that during the week, there are not many road bikes out there, mainly on the weekends. I spotted a few fully kitted guys flying down the road at fast clips. It is not so different than here in the states, fast guys whiz by you and don't wave, or ackowledge a hello...proving that there are elitists everywhere!

After climbing a bit we entered into the Black Forest in South Baden, and hit a mile stretch of twisty's...which was fastastic! Flying through the esses was a huge rush. Absolutely the best part of the ride for me. It was great 32 miles of riding, and Christoph treated me to big glass of weissbier at the end of it. It was a welcome refreshment after climbing some 2,500 feet, with a couple of 10% inclines!

We rode again the next day, but a shorter loop around Lorracher, near where he lives on the border of Switzerland and Germany. I meet up with Herr Schumacher at the German Border (Zoll) and get a few once overs from the Border Guards... They let us pass through...no problems. I ask Christoph, "you going to take it easy on me tonight?" He laughs, and say's Ja...sure. Hmmm, I cann't tell if he was joking or not, until before too long, we are ascending a hideous climb....msut be a mile long, and about 12% in some spots. I'm dying, struggling to turn peddals over. I manage 5-6 mph up this hill, closing in on a huge television sat tower. It once was the sole provider in this region of televison and radio waves. it still functions as a relay station but today it is more of a tourist destination, by appointment only though. Thankfully, there was no more climbing after that, as we headed back into Basel and goodbye to a wonderful and beautiful South Germany.

A quick water stop in South Baden...(there are public Triken fountains all over Switzerland and germany) (Great for refilling the water bottles!)

I should point out that on both nights of riding the temps were in the high 60's and partly cloudy. It was down right chilly on the descents. The second night on my way back to the hotel it started to rain the last 3 miles of my trip...got back just in time though. Overall, the weather was shitty. 6 of my 11 days there, it rained at some point, and it was cool and cloudy most of the time. Locals tell me it was the worst weather Basel had seen in June in the past 40 years.