Riding the Loop

September 20, 2019

I have been neglecting my blog, it's been over two months since my last entry. But now I again feel the need for writing here. This is where I write for myself, post the pictures I like, this is where I think the least about what might please others or meet some standards defining what is good photography or an interesting narrative. I am in my own living room. It is very liberating to get rid of the censors, both in the world around me and in myself. Also very difficult, but I can try.

Yesterday we had another absolutely gorgeous September day, can't really call it autumn yet since everything still looks green and the sun is strong, but it's getting there. I rode my bike aways along the Würm. It's a wonderful path along the little river as it meanders on its way to Munich and beyond. I'm usually looking for a photo with my bicycle in it. I think I have even become a bit too fixated on this project of getting 180 rides that are documented with a decent picture of my  bike. That explanation just in case you are wondering why my bike is in every single picture! Maybe it's time to take a few more pictures without a bicycle.

I didn't continue too far along the Würm before turning back. I spotted a cyclist taking a little path that I hadn't noticed before and thought I should have a look. It was a stony uphill ride, leaving the Würm valley. I encountered a few kids walking their dogs and a man walking back from the local farm with his bag full of fresh eggs and potatoes! Yes, walking through the woods to shop at the local farm - how idyllic is that! I am also happy to see the children out on their own in the woods, no chaperones needed. It reminds me of where I grew up in New Jersey - it was a dead end street in a reservation. I knew all my neighbors on the street and my playground was the woods behind the house.

Once on top of the hill I turned left on the trail leading back to Gauting. It soon intersected with a familiar road back down the hill to the river, a road with asphalt but no cars. This must be a shortcut through the woods for some parents when picking their children up from school. I saw several kids with their schoolbags and moms, all on their bikes, flying down the hill. While I dallied with my camera, a man with a bulging bag in his hand came by. I assumed he had been mushroom hunting and I was right. He proudly showed me a beautiful porcino or yellow boletus, one of many that he had found not far from the road.

I had my tripod with me and made a few selfies. My original plan had been to get some pictures of myself while I rode by the camera. I had seen some inspiring examples on this on Flickr and wanted to give it a try. It turned out to be not so easy and I settled for a simpler version.

Altogether it was a short loop along the river, up the hill and down again, but with much diversity. A happy outing.

Dramatic tree trunks on the bank of the Würm

Roots

The swans stopping at a tranquil spot on the Würm with little current

Exploring a new trail away from the river, short but stony

It does look a bit like autumn, even the golden rod is fading.

Such a lovely place to ride

The man with the mushrooms seemed to be amused by my activity with tripod and camera. Obviously I hadn't seen him coming.