September
After an epic summer of good weather - little rain and many sunny days - I am not so anxious about the beginning of the darker part of the year. Nevertheless, I will be overjoyed if we have good days for cycling in September as well. No more tours are on the agenda for this year but I am pretty sure I will reach the 100 mark for days on my bike.
Day 91 - September 2, 2018
Alpe-Adria Tour - Day 8
Yesterday, as it rained from morning to night, we holed up. It was not a day for this stage of our tour which was the steepest and climbed to the highest point of the entire route. Even in dry weather, I was worried how we would manage. But we but we did and were elated. This picture is later in the afternoon after the descent to the lovely Möll Valley.
Yesterday, as it rained from morning to night, we holed up. It was not a day for this stage of our tour which was the steepest and climbed to the highest point of the entire route. Even in dry weather, I was worried how we would manage. But we but we did and were elated. This picture is later in the afternoon after the descent to the lovely Möll Valley.
Day 92 - September 3, 2018
Alpe-Adria Tour - Day 9
It was raining when we left our hotel, let up for a while and then it poured. I did mange to get my camera out a few times while it was dry. Soaked, we stopped at noon in Spittal and found a room. A good decision since it would be a shame not to be able to enjoy the surroundings in this beautiful part of Austria.
It was raining when we left our hotel, let up for a while and then it poured. I did mange to get my camera out a few times while it was dry. Soaked, we stopped at noon in Spittal and found a room. A good decision since it would be a shame not to be able to enjoy the surroundings in this beautiful part of Austria.
Day 93 - September 4, 2018
Alpe-Adria Tour - Day 10
Our last day in Austria, the path followed the Drau River, mostly gravel but not difficult to ride, to Villach, and then the Gail River to Arnoldstein, where the borders of Austria, Slovenia and Italy meet.
Our last day in Austria, the path followed the Drau River, mostly gravel but not difficult to ride, to Villach, and then the Gail River to Arnoldstein, where the borders of Austria, Slovenia and Italy meet.
Day 94 - September 5, 2018
Alpe-Adria Tour - Day 11
After crossing the border to Italy, we were soon on the rail trail, a fabulous bike path through tunnels and over bridges and always with mountain vistas. It was certainly the most beautiful bicycle path I have ever ridden.
After crossing the border to Italy, we were soon on the rail trail, a fabulous bike path through tunnels and over bridges and always with mountain vistas. It was certainly the most beautiful bicycle path I have ever ridden.
Day 95 - September 6, 2018
Alpe-Adria Tour - Day 12
We are still on the beautiful rail-trail, trying to cycle as slowly as possible to take it all in.
We are still on the beautiful rail-trail, trying to cycle as slowly as possible to take it all in.
Day 96 - September 7, 2018
Alpe-Adria Tour - Day 13
Today after a short ride, we stopped in Palmanova, our last station before we reach Grado, our destination on the Adriatic. We wanted to have time to take a look at this intersting town. With its perfect nine-pointed star shape, monumental entrance gates and the three circles of fortifications from the 16th, 17th and 19th centuries, Palmanova is a model Renaissance city and an example of military architecture.
Today after a short ride, we stopped in Palmanova, our last station before we reach Grado, our destination on the Adriatic. We wanted to have time to take a look at this intersting town. With its perfect nine-pointed star shape, monumental entrance gates and the three circles of fortifications from the 16th, 17th and 19th centuries, Palmanova is a model Renaissance city and an example of military architecture.
Day 97 - September 8, 2018
Last day of the Alpe-Adria Tour
Before we set out two weeks ago, we weren't sure we would reach the Adriatic. We feared we were biting off more than we could chew and would probably have to turn back somewhere in Austria. But no! What a feeling that was to see the Mediterranean spread out before us!
Before we set out two weeks ago, we weren't sure we would reach the Adriatic. We feared we were biting off more than we could chew and would probably have to turn back somewhere in Austria. But no! What a feeling that was to see the Mediterranean spread out before us!
Day 98 - September 16, 2018
Back home - I haven't been on my bike except for local shopping since we've been back. High time to get back in the saddle. Today we rode to Westpark and I tried out my new cargo bag on the rear rack. It allows me to carry a little more camera gear and hopefully will solve the problem of the heavy and stuffed handlebar bag.
Day 99 - September 17, 2018
An early morning shot - kind of a dress rehearsal for the autumnal equinox. The picture will be for a challenge posted on the Cycle 365 website.
September 23rd, the sun will rise due east and set due west regardless of where you are on earth — shadows, likewise, will align due west at sunrise, and due east at sunset.
Find a clear view of the horizon on a quiet east-west street or road and photograph your bicycle as the sun rises or sets. Its shadow will fall due west or east depending on which you choose, and the sun will be exactly in the middle of the road.
(This will be a one day challenge (obviously) — but it would be neat to do the same photo at the Winter and Summer Solstices.)
At the Winter Solstice, the sun will be well south of the road, and at the Summer Solstice, the sun will be well north of the road. (Reverse that for the Southern Hemisphere.)
So I was out looking for the place where I could get a good shot. However, anytime betweem 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. is not good to be cycing leisurely, looking for the angle of the shadows and where the sun is on the horizon. The streets are full of cyclists rushing to work or to school. Madness.
Day 100 - September 19, 2018
Rode out to Planegg to meet with friends for lunch. Enjoyed a good meal at the Greek restaurant Knossos in Krailling,
must go there more often. We cycled out through Pasing's Stadtpark and returned along another route where I remembered that there were pumpkins for sale in the Fall. A gorgeous day to be on our bikes, 35 km.
Oh, and this is ride 100! Now my goal is simply as many as possible.
must go there more often. We cycled out through Pasing's Stadtpark and returned along another route where I remembered that there were pumpkins for sale in the Fall. A gorgeous day to be on our bikes, 35 km.
Oh, and this is ride 100! Now my goal is simply as many as possible.
Day 101 - September 20, 2018
Still looking for a good location to shoot the sun rising due east. This is in the Olympic Park. I managed to mess up the settings and the shutter speed on all my shots was too long, resulting in blur. How stupid. So I did some post processing to "fix" the photo. Not a great picture, but I did the ride at 7 a.m. and that was something. Maybe I wasn't quite awake yet.
Day 102 - September 21, 2018
Almost autumn equinox - my third try, and probably my last since the weather forecast predicts clouds and rain for tomorrow and the 23rd, the actual day of the eqinox. I had forgotten what a lovely time of day sunrise and the 15 to 20 minutes following it are. Everything is bathed in the most beautiful light. Thanks for the challenge over there on Cycle 365!
Day 103 - September 22, 2018
Again out at 7 a.m. but not even a hint of pink on the horizon at sunrise. Just grey clouds. Nevertheless, I again enjoyed the empty streets on a Saturday morning and had fun playing with my new lens.
Day 104 - September 26, 2018
A beautiful September day - I rode to the Botanical Garden and fooled around with my camera. Although it was sunny, I didn't get out in the morning for some more sunrise shots. It was cold, 4°C !
Day 105 - September 27, 2018
Bussi, bussi, Bavaria - Oktoberfest time
Day 106 - September 28, 2018
I rode out to Starnberg to visit Daniel, my youngest son, and his family. Great weather for the 32 km ride. I chose a route that I hadn't ridden before, on a smooth road with little traffic, but next to the freeway- very loud and not really enjoyable for those km's. After visiting, I left my bike there and took the train home with the idea to return the next day and bike the other directon back home.
Ride 107 - September 29, 2018
Took the train out to Starnberg, had brunch with the grandkids and family and pedaled back to Munich. This time I took the route through the Forstenrieder Park, a forest actually, which was much nicer than the road I was on yesterday - except for a short distance with too much gravel for my taste. Different route, same distance: 32 km
Ride 108 - September 30, 2018
All this week Janos is away, so my rides are solo. Today I decided to ride to Munich's soccer stadium, the Allianz Arena, as good a goal as any. A beautiful sunny day, but there's not denying it, the days are getting chillier. There and back 24 km.
That was it for September. The month just flew by. I got 18 rides in, the second most rides after May where I rode on 21 days. I imagine I'll be slowing down in October, but we'll see.