Reports by Iris Mueck

Winter time in Austria is boring for bicyclists. In order to get my lazy bones moving, I have decided to do this tour.

At the Spain Island Fuerteventura you may find the sun of Africa and you training partner, the wind of the Atlantic. Fuerteventura has become popular by bicyclists. It's a rocky, hilly Island. Main Wind direction NW. It would be wise to ride against the wind in the morning and return with tail wind.

Roads are empty only on very early morning hours. During day time, all the others are on their way with rented cars. But take care, looking at the driving performance of some drivers, told me: not everyone is with a drivers license. But even the bus drivers can be special. I have been using once a bus, and the driver as set the speed to automatic and with his feet he made dancing steps to follow the loud music of the radio, whilst his bus has been riding against the car before him in far too short distance.

Winding roads, most of them are new (maybe EU money returns) makes riding road by bicycle easy. Highest elevation on road is the Betancuria circle with the highest summit of the 'Morro Velosa', round 660 meters above sea level. Not all road shown in the maps are paved. The Island has become popular for mountain biking. [...]

about 410 kilometers only - but please consider the circumstances...; and made a climb up to nearly ~ 4.000 meters

[...] Chile is a rather safe and clean country. People are honest and helpful. Moreover, they have a good public transport system (...this in case ones leg gets soared...). There are a lot of but's...: one is the traffic and the smog. Both is against bicyclists. Roads between major cities are freeways. Service roads ending, than one is supposed to ride on the shoulder of the freeway (which is officially forbidden in Chile - but what to do?!) Constructors simply have forgotten on 'normal' roads.... And, it increases the problem: Chile has no long distance train (only Metro, e.g. Santiago and or Valparaiso - good system - but you cannot take a bicycle to the Metro). The other issue is the smog. You may see the smog cloud, one you approach Santiago by air. But this smog cloud is so heavy, as it penetrates houses (living room, sleeping room...). My mouth is maybe to sensitive, but I felt a permanent bitter taste. Long distance travel in Chile is done via a very good bus system. Rather cheap and reliable. [...]

I tried to avoid to fall into an early Winter sleep... Tried to keep my tired bones fit. As I have been in an refreshment email contact with a biker couple, living nearby Hamburg, we have quickly made a plan to meet and cycle around. I have been knowing Hamburg from the past, but Hamburg today, is even more bigger, more modern (more expensive...).

What impressed my most, beside the friendly attitude of Hamburgers citizens, was the wide variety of music shops. We had the chance to participate a 'concert' in one of Hamburgs music pubs, the 'Knust', whereas we have seen on stage Ryan Bingham and Valerie in the pre-program... Just wonderful!

Do not miss this tour... Only 80 kilometers on hilly roads against the wind... We tried to find out, if there is a bike trail along the former 'iron curtain' boarder: 'the green band' Well, one says on their webpage clearly: 'the green band' is a good idea, which exists more virtual as practical...' That' s the way it is. We closed this missing link and enjoyed the tour! Breclav is a renewed, quite and biker friendly city! [...] Passed cities as Jedenspeigen, Durnkrut, Stillfried and Angern. Heide had many stops in order to collect a rucksack full of walnuts... We went on train at Ganserndorf in order to avoid to cross the city of Vienna at dawn time... Nevertheless, the tour was fun, even facing strong head winds. Enjoy the pictures and details of our tour. Good luck to our followers.

The river Elbe bicycle trail tour is about 561 kilometers from Hamburg to Dresden (including a lot of search, trial and error... and dead end escapes...). The Elbe bike trail exists, but it is not made for miles eater riders, like me..., on a race bike. The trail is for bicyclists, who travel on a trekking bike, which is made for bumpy roads, gravel and dirt...; moreover for travelers who does 30 kilometers a day, stopping on each sign and picture buildings and landscape all over, and have many stops on coffee shops on the way.... What I did, is somehow wrong, and it does not really reflect the beauty of the entire trail. Therefore, I ended up on several dead ends in gravel and dirt, what makes me ride more or less on side roads. [...] If one is a good navigator (with a nose of intuition) and a little GPS navigator, those wouldn't have to much trouble. Enjoy the report and the pictures! Good luck to our followers!

To make a long story short: I have been twice... The first and the last time... Maybe the time is to short, that good old communistic times have changed into new democratic times... No problem with authority, but standard behavior of people on road and public places are questionable... Even on Neringa, and this is valid for nearly all roads at Lithuania: It became a transit corridor for Russians, particular for the access to and from Kaliningrad. People with cars overhaul with no clearance. Very dangerous. A lot of roads bear signs : no bicycles. But on the other hand bicycle trails are not inviting. Most of them end in a gravel and mud Nirvana... You need time, to find someone who speaks English. German is nearly not present... My advise: check out carefully your tour. Expect the unexpected. My tour has been somehow 'wet'. Enjoy the pictures. Good luck to our followers!

Our travel to Lana: by train and bicycle. Leaving Vienna by night train, which arrives very early in the morning at Innsbruck: 4:17 hrs. Still dark! We ride in night time the old Brenner road. Just beautiful. We experienced a lot of traffic from people sparing the toll for the freeway. But, we earned our award on the downhill of the newly erected bicycle path at the Brenner road down to Vipiteno (Sterzing). Continued riding down the Eisack valley to Bolzano on the bicycle path.

Road bike Tour to Wildalpen (Styria/Austria). We ignored the very hot weather and made the tour... With light luggage we made this day 115 kilometers. Prime distance we did per train (Moedling to Payerbach). Then the bicycle...: 1st summit the Preiner Gscheid (height 1.070 meters above sea level) down to Mürzsteg and then 2nd summit: the Niederalpl. A 1.221 meters high connecting summit. For bicyclists rather steep and long (My estimate: 10% slope). My advise: avoid this summit, when not in mood... We have been heading for Wildalpen, found a perfect (affordable) 4**** hotel and enjoyed the evening on a natural pool. The little town Wildalpen is embedded in the 'Salza'-valley. The waters are wild. like the upper Enns river. We have seen many sport kayak riders. We consider to go again to this area, just to share the good times with the paddlers. No one would believe in us, saying, we have been riding home in one day. Hitting Goestling, Lunz, Gaming, St. Anton on Jesnitz, Frankenfels, Kirchberg, St.Poelten. At St.Poelten a bus has taken us back home. Nevertheless this day ended again with 123 kilometers. Hot, hot... Enjoy the pictures below. Good luck to all our followers.

Berounka is a little town, West of Praha, the capital city of the Czech republic. The tour itself is just a day ride, but in a fairytale landscape. Not easy to find anymore in good old Europe. So peaceful, so warm and nice. In each little village an old restaurant to 're-fuel' ones body... With what? Czech beer, charged as top brand. Needless to say, we do it again! Enjoy the pictures. Good luck to our followers!

Road bike Tour to the cradle of the Western culture. Bike Tour Peloponnese Tour 2012 (about 552 kilometers). Preface:

My former managing director, who is an awesome bicyclist today has planned this tour carefully. Our all aim: to ride to the cradle of the world culture. Furthermore, we had a good ghost with us: Oxi Quassel, who explained all the details of the archeological sites and museums. We have visited the archaeological sites & Museums of Athens, Delphi, Olympus, Mycenae, Epidaurus, Corinth & Aigina...; in the very last moment we hit the Greek National Museum at Athens... We spent a day of at the beautiful Island Hydra (no cars...!)

The Spain Island of Majorca is always a good choice for winter-weary bicyclists to warm up the lazy bones. It is advisable to check the hotel prices which vary from • 20,- to • 70,-. Quoted prices for half board. Attention, never take an unknown hotel below three star. It will never fulfill a bicyclist expectation. Sometimes even three-star hotel are questionable. I have rented the bike by paying the rent via PayPal in advance. The rent is more or less the same as the airfare price to transport a bicycle. My dealer has taken the bicycle right to my hotel. Great service!

On my tour, I have been lucky, only two cold days. Nevertheless, I kept on riding... One week = sweet 740 kilometers. For me, it looked the Puig Major road has been extended (or my 'winter-weary' body came down to an utmost weak point). Enjoy the report and the pictures. Good luck to all followers.

Winter conditions on the Anninger Mountain (lower Austria) Enjoy the pictures. Good luck to our followers!

As every year, we did our late summer ride to the North of Austria: Thayatal valley. Real 'old' Austria, which we like most, particular that stile. This page is made primarily to honor the people who operate one of the last remaining railroad gifts in Austria: The Reblausexpress. We undertake this tour, at least one a year, just to see, how time is changing... The Reblausexpress reminds us on 'old' Austria, a country, which has been beautiful with open and honest people. But time is changing... We still have met open people on our tour, which made it even more enjoyable! Hope you enjoy the pictures. Good luck to all our followers

The very good weather in this years fall made us ride down the Danube valley.

Starting at the border city of Passau, whereas the river Danube enters Austrian territory, down to the Austrian capital city Vienna. A very popular bike path.

Very good direction signs, very good and easy to find accommodations and food supply. Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

As every year, we participated the Stelvio bike days. A wonderful event! Of course, we have added some more days at the city of Lana. 'Rinding Stelvio in a day, keeps the doctor away' Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all our followers!

A tour, which has started with Californian blue sky... Ended in heavy rain. Nevertheless it has been a demanding tour, as the Pfaffensattel is steep (18%). Enjoy the pictures. Good luck to all our followers!

This has been one of my prime Int'l bicycle tours. Very well organized from a former RAAM (race across America) winner. I still enjoy looking at the pictures... Seeing my son Ralph, in his age of 13teen, his father Richard in his age of 46. I have been just an accompaniment photographer! Hope you enjoy the pictures too. Good luck to all the followers.

Time to report my Rominger Classic tours. Very well organized. An enjoyable ride! I would do it again, if I would be younger... Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

A bicycle tour round the Sella Massive is a bicyclists dream. Dream with me and enjoy the report and the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

Wonderful weather conditions made us participate a wonderful ride... I am proud about Anne, my daughter, we have supported! Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

We have missed that tour (until now). Lake Constance in combination with the Silvretta climb from the Montafon valley. So, we did it.

The lake Constance round trip is a very busy area for bicyclists. Better NOT to go on the vacation period. You will find all kind of sport activities (and nervous car drivers, particular the professional drivers, like bus and taxi cabs). But families with children can cause some more unexpected stop. Expect the unexpected!

Silvretta looks like a total different world. Not so many bicyclists (too steep & too long). But a very good and rather new bike path from Feldkirch to Bludenz, and the very standard‚ one from Bludenz up to Gaschurn.

We have chosen the Silvrettta as a sort of training in order to check our shape for the planned Sella Ronda tour and the Stilfser Joch tour. Enjoy the pictures on our report. Good luck to all the followers!

Time to report an 'old' tour: The tour round the Mont Blanc massive. Starting an Switzerland, via France to Italy and back to Martigny. Highlight of the Tour: the Grand Saint Bernard pass. See details: Good luck to all the followers!

Virgina is worth a bicycle ride. On the rolling hills some may get exercised. The tour comprises the Skyline Drive (elevated round 3.000 ft/1.000 meters) and the Blue Ridge Parkway (elevations in Virginia up to 3.500 ft/1.200 meters). Higher elevated in North Carolina. A continuous climb and decent sucks a bicyclist off power. I have underestimated the Parkway. At this time of the year, the weather can be cold and wet. Some rest areas are closed. A lone ride... But very busy from May on. See more details in my report. Good luck to all the followers!

A long winter made me think on better times... To escape, I made a decision: get some exercise on California' s back country roads. see the report. Good luck to followers!

Extremly good weather called us to another late fall tour. By train to Retz and further with the 'Reblausexpress' to Drosendorf. Starting late, upon arrival at Drosendorf, we have been heading for Karlstein, whereas we had our lunch. Then we have been riding to Waidhofen an der Thaya. A hidden beauty... Continuing to Zwettel, were we had our night. Zwettel a 'silent' city. Day distance 90 kilometers only. The next morning has been frosty... As nice Zwettel was for a stay, to leave is strange: just high frequent highways The good thing: we hit the Kamptal dam in fall - a wonderful landscape picture has been our award! We have been heading for Krems. Luch at Senftenberg. At Krems we found access to the well known Danube valley bike path. We followed this way down to the suburbs of Vienna. Last stop: Greifenstein (whereas we have been entering the train again...). This days distance: 122 kilometers. Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

A tour to the North Country... (were the winds hit hard the border line...) Hardegg, known as Austria's 'smallest city', was worth to go... I believe, we have been lucky catching the very late end of summer... The tour leads us to the North border (Czech) - only a pedistrian bridge is open for traffic. A romantic side way leaded us to Ciszov. There was a monument seen: The last piece of the 'Iron curtain' - see pictures. Thanks god this time has passed. We had a wonderful lunch at the city of Znojmo. Then, after, some good Czech beer, we travelled home (by bicycle of course) on sideways to Retz. To early to enter the next train back to Vienna... So, we followed the road to Hollabrunn and in the next Minute we caught at a train to our home, Brunn am Gebirge Overall distance of our day ride: 80 kilometers Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

A tour to romantic sideways to the inner Lower Austrian alps. Very good and inviting late summer weather 'called me to order'... The late summer weather has been remaining for another day... The circle to the lower Austrian alps comprises round 120 kilometers in total. Starting nearby Payerbach..., hitting the Northern part of the Styria county... including climbs: Preiner Gschaid, Lahnsattel, Kernhofer Gscheid... Lucky as I was, a tracker passed, and I have been able to slip into the wind shade... This tracker pulled me round 45 kilometers with a speed above 40 kilometers/hour... Distance from Hohenberg to Sankt Poelten... The result: a wonderful speed average (28 km/hr)

''I forget to pray for the Angel, and the Angel forget to pray for me...''

In other words, I have done the tour alone... Heide, my spouse decided to went to her job, and... a lot of bike comrades didn't follow. I assume the didn't believe on the remain of the good weather.

The Pielachtal circle has been 100 kilometers in total. Starting nearby Sankt Poelten (Austria). Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

Well, I have participated this tour 4 times. [...] It is partly a race. The Norwegian teams are very strong. They do the distance of 540 kilometers in less than 14 hours, which results in an average of round 40 kilometers/hr.

There is a rather 'high' mountain to climb. The Dovrefjell mountain is only round 1.000 meters high. But remember: you start at sea level. And as all the little rivers cross the climb, you got the feeling you do this mountain three times... There is only one receipt to finish the tour: ride your own speed! Feel well. Do not burn out in strong groups. Lillehammer is key station. Only 180 kilometers left to head for Oslo. [...]

Keep in mind: the big teams ride in groups and do not like others to take advantage of the group. I learned quickly, as one of a group rider pushed me out of road. My warning 'if you do it again...', was not heard. He repeated: 'if you quarrel, we are forty, if like to can discuss it with all our tour guys...'. No way! Stay out of teams!

Lana has become our standard fall tour. This time, we have convinced some guys from our bicycle gang to follow us... Climbing the Mendel pass (Menapaces training pass...) as well as the passo Pallade (with a rather long downhill to Lana = 18 kilometers). And a car free day at Stelvio rounded our efforts... Enjoy the picture! Good luck to all the followers!

Again Lana... Lana has become another standard tour. This time we concentrated on Passo Lavazze and the Passo Timmelsjoch.... Enjoy the picture! Good luck to all the followers!

Lana again... has become another standard tour. As Lana is located so central, like a big gate to well known summits, like Passo Mendola, Passo Palade (Gampenpass), Passo Lavazze, Sella Ronda, etc. This time we tried hiking beside biking.... Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

Lana has become another standard tour. As Lana is located so central, like a big gate to well known summits, like Passo Mendola, Passo Palade (Gampenpass), Passo Lavazze, Sella Ronda, etc. This time we tried a short trip to the Passo Stelvio. Enjoy the picture! Good luck to all the followers!

Again Majorca... bicycling Soller, Orient, Puig Major, Galilea Pass, Randa, Rather demanding by distance: round 200 kilometres (from Palma on...). A recommended place to go in Spring time. April is the latest - in May the motor bicyclists arrive... Our natural enemies. Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

Majorca again... has become another standard training tour... Staying at Palma de Majorca, we bicycled all the standard tour: we concentrated on Puig Major and the North coast. On the way back, we hit Valldemossa, a city with a lot of street restaurants, and coffee shops. The good thing: only downhill to Palma de Majorca... In Valdemossa you find signs of history: George Sand has been in Love with Chopin... and have been staying at Valdemossa...

Note: George Sand was a woman (who has dressed as man...) I like those confusions...! A recommended place to go in Spring time. April is the latest - in May the motor bicyclists arrive... Our natural enemies. Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

Mallorca has become another standard training tour... Staying at Palma de Mallorca, we bicycled all the standard tour: beside, Soller, Orient, Puig Major, Gallileio, Randa, we did the tour to Formentor this year. Rather demanding by distance: round 200 kilometres I(from Palma on...). A recommended place to go in Spring time. April is the latest - in May the motor bicyclists arrive... Our natural enemies. Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

I have followed the whistle... In our group has been so many popular guys; e.g. three participants of the official tour d`Autriche, the president of the Austrian bicycle union... I have been learning... Staying at Palma de Mallorca, we bicycled all the standard tour: Soller, Orient, Puig Major, Gallileio, Randa, etc. A recommended place to go in Spring time. April is the latest - in May the motor bicyclists arrive... Our natural enemies. Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

Lana, has qualified to be a standard location, we visit every year end of August, begin September... A wonderful place! Bicycling is like to play in a huge fruit garden. Nobody cares, if you take an apple for refreshment... Lana has the advantage of beeing near to the Passo Mendola, it lays on foot of Passo Palade (Gampenpass). Nearby the city of Meran, with a lot of cultures opportunities, e.g. Gardens of Trautmannsdorf. From Lana you may reach the beautiful Passo Lavazze with a 18 % steep climb, and the Sella Ronda. Moreover at Marlings you may reach the train, which can lead you to Spondinig (close to the entrance of the Stelvio Road) and Mals (close to the Passo Rescia). Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!

It is a repeat tour! It seems, I felt in love with Hwy 1. Pacific Coast Hwy. San Francisco - Los Angeles. In May, the same year, I have done the same with my daughter Anne. You may find a short report on this portal. This time, I did a little detour: I stopped for a couple of days at Pismo Beach and discovered the surroundings of San Louis Obispo. I detected, the Los Osos Valley Road, the Lopez Lake, The Foxencanyon Road, Solvang the Danish city replica, the Marcos Pass road, etc. All places, I will remember well...! Enjoy the pictures! Good luck to all the followers!