Day 2: Bad Tölz - Bad Kohlgrub
I sleep long and deep, obviously not used to carrying panniers and more climbs than on our daily rides.
The breakfast at our hotel is served in the usual buffet style. The unusual thing is that no precautions have been taken for social distancing - the setup is exactly as in the pre-corona days. The tables are not far enough apart and our hostess even pulls down her mask when speaking to the guests so that they can understand her better, or because it is more comfortable. That this situation is not optimal doesn't sink in immediately and we eat our breakfast with the others, with no consequences so far.
Again a beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky. Today's ride is longer with more climbing as we approach the Ammergau Alps, it is also more intersting. My e-bike is not behaving well on the hills. Again and again it only gives me partial support regardless of what gear I am in. I can pedal faster or slower, the support just doesn't come, leaving me huffing and puffing. What do I have an e-bike for, anyway? I haven't had to get off and push yet, but I don't feel I can rely on the bike. Then again, sometimes it's fine and an 8% grade is no problem.
A little glitch in today's planning - we don't have a picnic with us, just a bag of cookies from yesterday, and there is no place to shop or eat on our route. So we eat cookies and drink water...
The breakfast at our hotel is served in the usual buffet style. The unusual thing is that no precautions have been taken for social distancing - the setup is exactly as in the pre-corona days. The tables are not far enough apart and our hostess even pulls down her mask when speaking to the guests so that they can understand her better, or because it is more comfortable. That this situation is not optimal doesn't sink in immediately and we eat our breakfast with the others, with no consequences so far.
Again a beautiful sunny day, not a cloud in the sky. Today's ride is longer with more climbing as we approach the Ammergau Alps, it is also more intersting. My e-bike is not behaving well on the hills. Again and again it only gives me partial support regardless of what gear I am in. I can pedal faster or slower, the support just doesn't come, leaving me huffing and puffing. What do I have an e-bike for, anyway? I haven't had to get off and push yet, but I don't feel I can rely on the bike. Then again, sometimes it's fine and an 8% grade is no problem.
A little glitch in today's planning - we don't have a picnic with us, just a bag of cookies from yesterday, and there is no place to shop or eat on our route. So we eat cookies and drink water...
Getting organized before we take off
Often we have a bike path next to the road, which generally has no shoulder. Usually, we are thankful but we prefer being away from busy roads altogether.
We are soon away from traffic and in the countryside.
This path looks very inviting, too bad it's not the way we are going.
Our planned route says go this way. Do we have to?
It turned out to be a fine country road with little traffic. Here another typical Bavarian chapel along the way.
The mountains are coming into view - an iconic scene with the typical onion dome bell tower.
Hey, Janos, give us a smile!
What more could you ask for...
Bringing in the hay bales
Riding through Sindelsdorf - Note the disused ski lift cable car on the lower left. It is now being used as a little free library.
Quaint, but not reality. These hay stacks and the farmer raking hay are part of Sindelsdorf's open air museum.
Just 300 meters down the road back to the present
For a while the route flattens as we cycle along this little stream, the Sindelsbach.
The Sindelsbach, looking back
We gain some altitude and have a view of the mountains and Riegsee, a small lake.
We have had almost no gravel so far, but for the last and steepest climb of the day here it is.
The stream rushes down as we plod up.
We cross a cattle grate and then see horses and cattle roaming freely. There must be fences somewhere, but not in sight.
This fella is very inquisitive and checks out my camera bag.
Today was a bit more challenging but we arrive feeling good, although I am looking forward to getting something besides cookies in my stomach.
When we check in at our hotel we can order what we would like for breakfast and it will be at our table at a specified time - good hygiene concept here.
When we check in at our hotel we can order what we would like for breakfast and it will be at our table at a specified time - good hygiene concept here.
We take a walk around Bad Kohlgrub after dinner.
These windows are little works of art.
Some more traditional architecture, see the wood work, and facade painting