Berlin

Bathing in wine

After Jonas surprises me with the Rheingau wine festival on my arrival, resulting in a long night with way too many glasses of wine but still rejuvenating sleep, the next morning starts with a questRead more
Free carbohydrates

Vineyards, as far as the eyes can see, and delicious grapes (free carbohydrates) to fuel the machine. ;)
Weinstraße

The density of Wineries here is mind-boggling: it seems as the only thing people have on their mind and in their blood is wine. I decide to have grapes for dinner and reside here once old enough forRead more
Ruhbank

Until the 20th century it was common for countrywomen to carry loads on their heads. In order to put them down and pick them up again without outside help, these high stone benches („Ruhbänke“)Read more
Mir redde au Elsassisch

Bordering Germany and Switzerland, the Elsass / Alsace region has alternated between German and French control over the centuries and reflects a mix of those cultures. Especially entertaining are theRead more
Canal du Rhône au Rhin

Talking to cows

Meeting this herd of cows on the way, finding shelter from the heavy rainfall. They look at my direction with what seems like an incomprehensible thought of why I would possibly do this to myself. IRead more
Pre-alpine conditioning II

Rest

Rewarding myself after a day of heavy rainfall, strong headwinds and lot of climbs. Looking forward a warm bed tonight.
Lunch break

Enjoying some Swiss cheese while the sky clears up and the first sun rays touch my skin.
Lake Geneva views

The descent to Lake Geneva feels like entering paradise on earth.
Dozing off

After cycling a distance of 180 kilometres and a total altitude of 2.000 metres today, I eat, enjoy the sunset and immediately fall asleep on the shore.
Route des Grandes Alpes

Today marks the first day of the Route des Grandes Alpes, following the trails of Tour des France legends. Muscle soreness is kicking in already in the morning, but this does not keep me from climbingRead more
Route des Grandes Alpes II

Col de Romme

11% ascent for 9km? Easy I think, while I shift into lowest gear and get destroyed by gravity. 5 minutes into the climb my bike gets a free perspiration shower. On this continuous one hour climb,Read more
Col de la Colombière

Second ascent for today, accompanied by several former cyclists who cheer me up while outpacing me with ease. Light weight!
Bien-être français

At this point I feel pure euphoria however can barely walk. Little less distance than the last days with around 100 kilometres for today, but an excruciating cumulative elevation gain of 3.200 metres.Read more
Rest day

My body cries Rest, my mind and heart shout Go. I decide to go for the former, giving my legs the break they deserve. I spend a wonderful day with Veronique, have more French specialities and talkRead more
Mont Blanc dive

Not to mention, the painful climbs also get rewarded with amazing descents, as this morning with views of the Mont Blanc massif.
Ain’t nothing but peanuts, baby!

20 Kilometer non-stop climbing with a short dip into ice-cold turquoise alpine waters.
Vive le Tour!

Allez, allez!

At 2.770 metres above sea level, Col de l’Iseran is the highest alpine road pass. More than 40 kilometres of climbing accompanied by an elevation gain of 2.000 metres and thin air stretch myRead more
Where like-minded people meet

Bruno & Marianne, a married couple and passioned cyclists, run Vélo Gîte, a cute little cyclist-focused guesthouse in Valence along ViaRhône. Both of them have travelled the world on two wheels andRead more
Rest at Pont du Gard

Hiking to that view with the bike on my shoulders and deciding to spend the night at that spot. Just need to find two trees for the hammock…
Pont du Gard is the tallest and best-preserved RomanRead more
Cheater! Ich will mein Geld zurück [Hihi]