Second and last part of mine bikepacking travel report Corona times. I drive something else on the Lake Constance-Königssee cycle path, before I Corona conditionally turn north. Some regions went into lockdown at the end of October. If you haven't read the first part yet, you can read it here: Bikepacking - Bodensee-Königssee cycle path
Stage 4 - Fischbachau to Mühldorf
At 9:30 a.m. I had put everything back on the bike and set off. I didn't want to eat breakfast in the inn anymore, the landlady was so unsympathetic and my drinking buddies were still asleep 😉 But of course I left a thank you for your help!
At first it went downhill and I drove a few kilometers until I found a bakery. Packed a few rolls and then I looked for a nice place. At 11:00 a.m. it was already 19°C and during my breakfast I was able to take off my long sleeves and ride for at least an hour, after which it got a bit chilly again at around 12°C.
Picture book Still high, but fairly flat A nice place for a break breakfast
Fast through Rosenheim
Now it went on for me, non-stop through the Rosenheim region. At that time, the Rosenheim district was not yet closed, but the infection rates were very high, so I gave it some gas. I was soon there too Chiemsee, here I have it Lake Constance-Königssee cycle path left and turned north. Shortly before Chiemsee there were a few really nice sections again. Something Gravel, beautiful scenery and beautiful architecture.
Moin Gravel variety Simply beautiful, mountains and water
In Prien am Chiemsee I treated myself to a coffee and planned my route for the day. I booked a room in Mühldorf and set off. It should still be about 60 km. I left Prien at about 15:30 p.m. and of course it got dark again early today. When it got dark I still had 20 km to go.
It's not really that bad, of course, but I like driving Gravel Routes and hiking trails, in the dark it's very uncomfortable from time to time if you can't see the potholes.
When I arrived in Mühldorf and had already left the Alps far behind me, the route once again held something special for me at the end. It was in the dark through a park that would certainly have been nice in the light, but in the dark I had very tight curves ready for me. Komoot probably had one again Abkürzung to the hotel for me 😂
But of course I arrived safely at the hotel. My bike was allowed to go into an extra garage and I could relax in my room. So now I have that Lake Constance-Königssee cycle path left and I'm back in freestyle mode.
Stage 5 - Mühldorf to Neustadt an der Donau
One thing in advance: That was a nice and relaxed stage today! Good weather, not too much elevation gain and a lot to see along the way. The day was marked by lonely roads and wide horizons. One of my favorite pictures of the tour was taken on this day.
I admit, I threw everything into this picture that the filters allow, but it reflects this beautiful loneliness and the felt peace I always feel on such a bikepacking tour 😍
Lunch break in Landshut
I didn't even know this region in Bavaria and I have to admit that I really liked it here. Driving this Bavarian East route is definitely the right decision if you want to save yourself Munich and the Munich area.
Landshut is a nice little town. Through the division of Landshut by the Isar the city gets a special shame. I was only about 3,5 hours in the saddle, but I still decided to take my lunch break here. I looked for a small Italian restaurant and there was some pasta.
The Isar in Landshut Selfie must be 😉 My favorite subject Pasta Eat on the Isar
I enjoyed the sun a little longer on the banks of the Isar and drank another cappuccino before heading north for me.
Continue to Neustadt an der Donau
Behind Landshut it was still nice up and down and that in the most beautiful weather. The sun was shining and my route took me through pleasantly gentle vineyards. My destination was Neustadt an der Donau, where I got a room in a boarding house had booked. There are several of the boarding houses in this region.
Here you check in at a machine and get an access code for your apartment. I was so happy that I had a small kitchen here that I immediately bought something to eat in the nearest supermarket. My focus was clearly on fried egg. I really felt like fried eggs on bread again.
shadow From time to time I just had to ride without a helmet
I liked it so much in the boarding house that I extended it by one night and took a day off. Simply lazing around, watching TV and eating: luxury!
Stage 6 - Neustadt an der Donau to Forchheim
On my day off it had rained almost all day, so I had once again picked the right day to take a break. It was still raining that morning, but I had already seen in the weather app that today will change. Today I was able to load my bike in the apartment - in the dry - relaxed and close the door behind me in full gear and set off again for the next stage.
I don't think riding in the rain is bad, it's sometimes even quite nice, loading the bike in the rain or even taking down your tent is really annoying 😂. But I didn't do that on this tour at the end of October anyway 👍🏻. Done everything right again!
Gravel and mud
Due to the rain of the previous day and the continuing rain, the paths were natural excellent softened. The rain stopped quickly and the sky became increasingly blue, but the dirt just flew around my ears 😂. In addition, of course, you had to watch out for the damp leaves on the paths so as not to slip away.
Today was again Bike trail hopping hip, trendy, popular. There were some beautiful cycle paths, mostly of course these were former railway lines that are now cycle paths.
bike trail Slippery when wet Endless dirt roads The dirt collects Pretty coarse gravel Cockpit dirt Dirtbike It's chic 😍
My route also took me through the Altmühltal today, which I didn't know yet. To be honest, I can't say exactly from where to where I drove through, but it was really nice for me. I like the connections between water and mountains.
Off through Nuremberg
My route was supposed to take me to Nuremberg today and under no circumstances did I want to spend the night in Nuremberg. Simply because I try to avoid sleeping in cities. The rooms are more expensive and worse.
About 40 km before Nuremberg you also notice that you are finally leaving the mountains. Very gentle gradient and that over long distances. 5 km before Nuremberg I had the first and only flat tire of this tour. My tires also looked really nasty from the rough gravel of the morning, but I didn't have a tire with me this time - Courage to gap!
I changed the hose, pumped myself into a wolf with my mini pump and then rolled further down the descent. Immediately after the Nuremberg town sign there was also a Burger King on the street, so of course I couldn't get past it 🤔 First recharge your batteries and then we went on.
Air Gas Station
Actually, I had already made up my mind that I would find an open bike shop to get pressure on my tires, it was Saturday and already afternoon. In a small street, where I hadn't expected it, a 1a bike shop was open. Unfortunately I didn't remember the name, but it was a fancy racing bike shop with a coffee counter 👍🏻. I pumped up my bike, filled mine Spare parts warehouse up again and had another cappuccino with the owner. That's fun!
I set off again because I wanted to leave Nuremberg behind. After I left Nuremberg I checked where I wanted to spend the night. It was supposed to be Forchheim and there were still about 35 km to go. Hotel booked off we went.
Nuremberg Actually, it was almost completely dark here
It's getting dark
Komoot led me through Erlangen in a very strange way. It went a long time in a zigzag through a residential area with loud Right before left roads, that really took a lot of time.
In Forchheim we quickly went to the hotel. My bike was allowed to stay in the lobby again, actually everything was fine. But the room wasn't cheap and it was really bad 😒 If the gentleman had still been at the reception, I would have asked for a new room, but he must have called it a day after I checked in. It doesn't help, in the end I still slept well and was able to rest.
Despite the breakdown, today's stage was really good! A great mix with a few small ones experiences. From rain to gravel mud, nice descents and a breakdown. I was actually in a really good mood, but unfortunately things didn't go that well the next day.
Stage 7 - Forchheim to Meiningen
As mentioned, the room wasn't great and I hadn't slept very well, but the breakfast was all the better for it. Not quite Corona compliant because of the buffet and too many people in one room, but tasty and rich.
So I rolled out of the hotel and got some new supplies at the nearest gas station. It was Sunday and you have to take precautions. It went quickly and in Bamberg I stopped again at a gas station to have a coffee. Already here I noticed that I was dressed a bit too thin, but was too lazy to change my clothes. This morning I decided on a thin long-sleeved shirt. It went gently uphill and I was in really good stride.
The back reports
I was approaching Thuringia and so it would be a bit mountainous again. While driving up an incline I noticed my back 😩. The attentive readers of my blog know that unfortunately I already have a few herniated discs have behind me. And anyone who has ever had a herniated disc knows that this will always remain a predetermined breaking point. I'm particularly sensitive to cold. I took a short break on a bench in the sun, but of course it didn't get any better that quickly. I got back on my bike and climbed the mountains.
Gas station in Bamberg farmhouse Here it gets mountainous again
As always, cycling wasn't the problem, so please don't think I was just in pain on the bike. Riding went quite well, however, when I stopped and stood up, my back hurt a lot. It was this uncomfortable steadiness, which I'm sure was triggered by the cool air. So I tortured myself to Meiningen, which was supposed to be the end of my tour.
Meiningen
Meiningen is a really beautiful place that I would like to visit again. By the way, I would also like to drive through Thuringia again, the landscape is really beautiful and absolutely worth seeing.
The hotel in Meiningen was once again really nice and the people super nice. My bike was back inside and I had a really cozy room, small but powerful 😍. I got a doner kebab for dinner, which I took to my room. My back was really hurting and I decided to take the train back to Hamburg the next day. Nothing helps and health comes first!
Shortly before the goal Meiningen Church in Meiningen Meiningen pedestrian zone
Conclusion
Around 850 km in seven stages is not a lot, but it was still nice. At the end of October it is not light for long and if you don't want to drive in the dark, you have at least three hours less driving time. Whether it was the low temperatures or a lack of fitness that stopped me in the end, I can't answer 100%. Maybe it was something of both. Nevertheless, I am very happy to have done another tour this year. The year was full of work and Corona didn't leave that much freedom for vacations and trips and I'm not the type to always drive in circles.
In 2021 the TCR (Transcontinental Race) is on my list and I have to start the season early to be really fit. I hope Corona will not affect 2021 as much as 2020.
I hope I was able to get you interested in bikepacking again and you are as keen to start reading as I was reading this one. write lines. As always, I look forward to your feedback, ideas and inspiration in the comments.