Hairpins, hairpins more hairpins & that precious swim in the lake

On my way north from Lake Garda I opted on the mountain road to Cortina, thinking if I didn’t I would regret it later and fearing that in the end of the day I might regret it anyway. Probably both theories were correct. I struggle in the hairpins and I can now conclude that it is me that struggle, not the bike, because it is no easier with the Versys compared to the Monster and all other riders seems to pass me happily throwing themselves into the next corner. For me it is more of a sacrifice I have to do for the view.

It proved to be a long day. There were roadworks and I was re-directed a couple of times which made the trip longer but also there were more hairpins than I had anticipated. When I finally arrived in Heiligenblut I appreciated the swim in the pool and the 5 course dinner so much more than I would have imagined.

I turned in early and was still tired the next day. Breakfast was rich and filled with energy, I somehow managed to pull myself together for a new day of pass-chalanges. So I thought. Heading of to Grossglockner I was surprised of the 22 euro fee. I somehow had managed to blank out that information but now was to late to re-consider. I paid and rode on thinking it can’t be to bad this mountain pass since people pay to enter, hoping that it wouldn’t be as tuff as yesterdays paso di Pordoi and paso di Falzarego in Italy. I had merely thought of it as a road to ride to destination but now I felt obliged to stop more often to take pictures and to do the detours up to Franz Josephs-Höhe and Edelweisspitze. Afterwords I was content and felt that now I have had my fill of mountain passes for some time and felt rather like swimming in a little lake for a bit.

Up in the mountain it had been quite brisk and nice but when rejoining the world bellow the heat struck me and I was wondering how come I had dragged al those cold weather clothes along which filled up the left pannier. Now I decided to cancelled my next stay in the mountain and rather ride along the lakes east of Saltzburg and see if I could find a place to stay and more important, go for a swim. I did find a place to stay, with access to the lake Mondsee. I just managed a swim before the weather suddenly changed and there was rain, thunder and lightning. Now I have managed dinner and the rain has given away for sunshine. The evening air is fresh and I am sitting on the terrace with a weissbeer. There is a birthday celebration in the guesthouses’ restaurant and some guests do arrive in lederhosen. It is indeed exotic to see, the world never stops to amaze me.