CHRISTMAS DAY 2012

With best wishes for a Peaceful and Happy Day to you ALL !

Days of spasmic pain during the past week , most likely due to lack of outdoor exercise , has blighted the festive season . Two weeks ago we had about 12cm of snow overnight , then daily nightfalls of a few extra cetimetres ,  put an end to riding the roads for 10 days . Spinning in the house on the Tacx , for several sessions a day , doesn't seem to be enough for my back . Result has been the pelvic area has been the cause of continual shooting pains , even to the extent that i can't sit on a chair , to work on the computer for more than minutes , without all lower hip area seizing up and any sharp movement causing distress .

Throughout this period , i would continue to sit upright on the bike and turn the pedals for 45minute sssions mornings and 30+ minutes in the afternoon . However the Pressups and sit ups are a distant memory . Even trying to reach to tie shoe laces are a huge discomfort .

Having pedalled the tacx  this morning , i decided as i ate lunch , that come what may , i would take the bike out afterwards  . As i got along i found that i was still stiff as a board , but was able to get to a reasonable speed on the flat roads . Most of the local village area being surrounded by mountains , left me with several choices .  Since power uphill means reduced speed , i chose the route to Reith in the Alpbachtal , as i could ride the pavements , so as to avoid drivers , especially those not expecting bikes to be on the road .

Arriving in the village , i headed to the arrival area of the Ski Piste . No sooner that i arrived at the edge of the snow than i was greeted by the Guy , whom i was to work with last January , during the Young Winter Olympics . Werner had trekked to the top of the slope on his touring Skis with another member of the OSV , Reinholdt , who also  lives nearby . One of the women sitting in the nearby cafe , came over to take a photo , of this unusual grouping , luckily i had my camera with me today .  Photos done i headed on up the hill for a while , but as soon as the pavement ran out decided that the wind was a little too brisk to persevere .

Headed back towards Brixlegg but before leaving Reith i took this photo of the view west . The valley is the Inntal with the entrance to the Zillertal .  Passed  through Kramsach towards the climb to Breitenbach , with the hill there being a little wider  and less busy , i was able to enjoy the ride . Took time out to greet a restaurant owner as i passed since Wolfgang is a Summer Cyclist . The restaurant being " Non Smoking " , several of the Patrons were on the Balcony as i left and headed up hill . Wolfgang must have predicted that i would be back 20 minutes later , so as i descended , he had a bunch of them cheering me as i passed .

CHRISTMAS DAY 2012

AUTUMNAL RIDING

Tomorrow , 26th November , is the Opening of the Mayrhofen Ski Season ( www.mayrhofner-bergbahnen.com ) and much anticipated by all in the neighbourhood . Normally November has a layer of snow on the valley floor but where ever you go at present you see green even on the highest peaks where there should be some snow . I guess I am better off with dry roads even if they have a layer of frost at 9am of a morning .

Today was a bright sunny and frosty morning that required the long sleeved cycle shirt and long hose under the Vivo uniform and a Wind Jacket with heavy gloves and a beanie under the helmet .

Look at tonight's sunset which bodes for a repeat of today's in the morning . As I turned corners I was watching the road surface to make sure I stayed in the parts cleaned by vehicles to avoid any slippage . Still heard the odd moron testing their Klaxon as I headed west to Schwaz and the odd chores that needed dealing with . My “ local bike shop “ there is run by Peter and I am still trying to convince him that 20mm or smaller patches are what I prefer when fixing punctures in my tubes .

Related the story of the prat I came across yesterday and he was able to assure me that the 2km ride to his shop each day is so filled with motoring misadventure that nothing would surprise him ! Briefly I was heading west into a roundabout when I spotted a 7 ½ ton truck barrelling into the junction with the right hand holding paperwork and the steering wheel and the left across the chest holding a mobile phone to the right ear . Little wonder I pulled up in a hurry since had he lost hold of the wheel I would have been carried away as he mounted the pavement . Annoyed I gave chase and on arriving at his destination went looking for the “ manager ” of the business that he was supplying service .

Short story was I asked for them to check the times on his phone or call the Polizei . No luck so I got them to supply pen and paper and took down the details that would be required and headed to the Schwaz Kommando Post . Having found the English speaking Junior there , I related the full story reminding them that since they were not on the scene I was not expecting any favourable result . About 5 mins after arriving the driver showed up to toss his “ penny worth ” into the mix , wonder WHY he should go out of his way to save face ?

After lunch I headed out east to Worgl for my afternoon ride but found most of the southerly road edges still heavily frosted . Lunch time was spent listening to more of the “#Occupy Wall Street actions that have captured the attention of the ORF radio Station FM4 , unbiased reporting with live updates makes for interesting and informative information .

Returning from Worgl I came across the Cyclist run off the track last week by a speeding tractor that I was following at a distance , he being a local had had the similar experiences over the years . Whilst I realise these roads were originally for the farmer as gravel tracks , now that they are sealed asphalt and designated “ Stephan’s weg ” they are for all and slowing down and moving the right wheels onto the grass does not harm the tractor particularly when the cyclist has to ride into the bushes to avoid a collision .

This same tractor driver I have forced to a stop when I have refused to leave my side of the road . Followed him to his farm yard at about the 40kph pace and told my local Kramsach bike shop who and where he lives .

About the same time I came up behind the Skier you see here practicing his skills . Arno of Worgl has been cross country skiing about 15 years and the equipment he is using is similar to that I tried to put together about 4 years ago when I was considering taking up this sport .

Luckily for me the ski touring season started early that year although I fancy the idea as a great cross training exercise as an alternative to the “ rowing machine ”on nasty weather days .

AUTUMNAL RIDING

Zillertal Ride

During the first days back in Austria i took a ride to loosen up after the car ride back from the Tour de France . Heading east i encountered a cyclist that seemed to be pretty quick so turned and caught up with him . He was heading into the Zillertal and then up the " Alpback pass " then back to Soll where he had started his ride .

The ride up the climb was interupted by road works which meant either a descent to the valley or a walk through the scrub for about a kilometre around the gully bridge that was being rebuilt . During this walk we descended into the stream bed shown here before climbing back to the paddock beyond and then joined the road once again .

After climbing a little further we shot this view before continuing over the saddle and stopping at the water outlet on the side of the road .

Further down we stopped so that i could take this view of the "Alpbachtal " .

Arriving back in Brixlegg we parted company after i decided it was time for lunch so as to refuel for an afternoon ride elsewhere .

Zillertal Ride