3M bitchin´ biker team

The beautiful countryside

The 3M bitchin´ biker team (that´s Mathias, Mario, and Marc) were on the road again with our bikes as soon as the first sunny days arrived in Germany. This time we went on a four-day trip through the Eifel, a volcanic mountain range south of Aachen, culminating in the conquer of the Hohe Acht, with 747 meters the highest mountain in the Eifel.

We did it :On top of the Hohe Acht

In the summer we want to cross the majestic Alps on bike, a brilliant trip that my good friend André suggested to do together. Unfortunately he has better things to do this year (he just made a new baby boy and that apparently is more important than our bike trip ;-), so we are going ahead with a slightly altered crew.

This trip was a sort of test: Can we climb an average of 1500 meters in altitude per day, as we will have to do in the Alps? Yes we can! We all passed the test, including Mathias, who I imagine will be the youngest biker to cross the Alps if he succeeds.

Two Fasels on Tour - The Rhine Valley

Touring the world by bike has become my favorite way to spend a vacation. After pulling off my first long-distance bike trip together with Mario last year, it was Mathias and I who toured together this year: Eight days down the beautiful and historic valley of the river Rhine. We managed to ride from Aachen 500 km all the way down the valley to Heidelberg, our destination in the South of Germany.

This trip was particularly a test for Mathias, who had never been on a bike trip before. I am proud of him: He did really well, riding up to twelve hours a day, covering as much to 90 km in one day, and fighting his way up hills with up to 16% incline, all without complaint.

The next tour is already planned: André wants to cross the Alps with me by bike in the summer of 2008, and I am hoping the Mathias will come. I am sure he will be fit enough. The tour will take us from Germany via Switzerland 1000 km to Milan in Northern Italy. The challenge will be the crossing the majestic Alps, a mountain range with elevantions as high as 4800 meters. This will be no Sunday stroll, but I am looking forward to this adventure already.

AACHEN PARIS BIKE ADVENTURE: BEAUTIFUL PARIS! <- clicken Sie here ...

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Six days, six hundred kilometers, two bikes, two tents, and no comfort. We did it, I can't believe it! What a great feeling, especially in this magnificent city. We spend another four days enjoying original French joie de vivre: Lounging in the city's delightful parks, sipping on cheap French wine, pondering about the meaning of life using grand words. What more can you ask for?

Pondering

Paris is great, and this is love letter to you, to you and your beautful women. I fell head over heels. What is it about you that makes the women here so beautiful, so sensual, so erotic? Is it the warm breeze that playfully lets the leaves dance around the feet of your ravishing ladies, the balmy summer sun that glows around their silouettes, or the grand atmosphere that adds a dramatic touch to their appearances?I don't know. I just adore it, I simply adore the women.

It's not just the Parisian women, either, it's all the women I see on the streets, french ones or tourists, all have this light touch of magic about them. A blouse that is just a tiny bit more revealing than usual, lipstick that is a tad more brave, or jeans that makes the cheeks just a touch bouncier.

And the curls! The streets are full of curls, delightfully untamed and natural. You just want to run your fingers through them, bathe your hands in their frivolous, shiny loops. Nowhere on Earth have I been so captured by female beauty, nowhere does it fit a city so well. Paris, you truly are the city of love.

Au revoir! Thanks for the wonderful time I spent with you. Can't wait to return...

tags: adventure, bicyle, aachen, paris, beauty

AACHEN PARIS BIKE ADVENTURE: DAY 6 <- clicken Sie here ...

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Today we want to start early to make sure we reach Paris. We have about 70km left, at least that's what we estimate. Enthusiastically we leave our private beach behind and head South.

Our tempo is high today, somehow we are driven by the thought of Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe. The bike hums like a well-oiled sewing machine as I push steadily into the pedals: Whrr whrr whrr. My eyes are tacked to Mario's back wheel and we roll in unison along the French countryside. I feel like a machine, a part of a train that is ceaselessly plowing forward: Whrr whrr whrr. Even though clothes are damp and my joins are aching, nothing matters right now, just the sound of the chain moving the bike: Whrr whrr whrr. I push forward towards Paris, getting closer with every turn of the crank. I am totally focussed.

My ass is sore, my wrists ache, my knees hurt, but I bite my teeth. "At one point the pain will subside", Lance Amstrong once said about the Tour de France. He is right: The pain will subside in Paris, and the anxiousness to reach our goal overpowers everything else. Just keep on going.

Rain showers

We pace along but are stopped frequently by rain showers. To pass the time we play cards huddling under small roofs. When are we going to reach our goal? We are already past our estimate of 70km for the day, but no city in sight, only the orange-yellow of wheat fields as far as the eye can see.

At last we find the Eiffel tower on the horizon: Barely visible it looks mighty far away. Now frustration builds up as my energies run lower and lower. We have no idea how far it could still be. To make matters worse we keep on getting lost trying to find a small road to lead us into the city, but the national road seems too dangerous in the mist and heavy traffic.

Our odyssee goes on and on, but at dusk we are finally standing in downtown Paris. At this point we have gone 115 km today, by far the longest day trip yet. it is still about 30 km to the camp ground, the Bois de Boulogne on the outskirts of the city. I decide that I've had it with camping out and deserve a hotel for the misery I've gone through. Mario of course wants to set up tent. I quickly find a small hotel, while Mario rides on to the camp site. We will meet again tomorrow.

Paris: We finally made it. I should feel relief, triumph, invigoration, but all I feel is exhaustion. All other emotions are drained. Shower. Clean clothes. Bed.

tags: adventure, bicyle, aachen, paris

AACHEN PARIS BIKE ADVENTURE: DAY 5 <- clicken Sie here ...

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The trip starts with a almost non-existent trail along the canal. What a pain in the ass: We can barely get our bike through the thick grass, but we fight on to reach Noyon around noon. As we enter the city we see the first road signs for Paris: Excellent! Our adrenaline starts rushing like that of a marathon runner getting his first glimpse of the finish line. Can we reach Paris by night? We have no idea, but we are in good spirits. We will be riding under the Arc de Triomphe soon.

The Abbeye de Ourscamps

In the afternoon it´s around 37 degrees again and riding becomes quite exhausting. We reach the Abbeye de Ourscamps, an beautiful ancient monastery that is still inhabited by quiet monks in thick brown robes. As we ride through the gates of the Abbeye we see a group of them peacefully glide through the gardens. This could be a scene right out of Umberto Eco's The Name Of The Rose. We take an unscheduled break to explore the monastery and the remnants of a burned-out gothic cathedral inside it, then rest in the shade of an apple tree.

We reach Compiegne by 17:00, way to late for the 55 km we only covered today. Here we find out that Paris is at least another 80 km, too much to reach tonight. What a disappointment. We still try to keep the break short in hopes of getting as far as possible, but 15 km outside of Compiegne I suddenly break down from exhaustion. We stop and I sleep for two hours straight.

Our private beach

After this power nap I feel better again, but I am spent and we call it a day. Looking for a place to set up the tents nearby, we stumble across a little piece of paradise: We are suddenly standing in front of a private, fenced-in lake full of clear green water that just looks perfect for camping out. The gate is not locked, and as we ride around the lake we can´t believe our eyes: The lake has it´s own beach, a strip of pure white sand that could rival the beaches of the Caribean. The owner must have trucked the sand in to create his own little resort complete with barbeque, lounge chairs, and surf board. And nobody is around. This must be a sign from God.

"We´re are lucky bastards" I think to myself as I take a swim in the lake's emerald water, while Mario is relaxing in a beach chair sipping on some red wine. What more could you ask for ...

tags: adventure, bicyle, aachen, paris

AACHEN PARIS BIKE ADVENTURE: DAY 4 <- clicken Sie here ...

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The ride is tough again, but by now I am used to it at we make good time. The day goes by quickly. We choose Chauny for our night camp because it has a little marina where I can take a shower in the morning. Excellent prospect, I am really looking forward to this!

While setting up tent I hear some music far away, so we take our bikes to find out what it is. We end up at a open-air movie viewing of Buena Vista Social Club. What a perfect ending to a though day riding: A breezy summer night, chatty French locals, cold blond beer, and the heart-warming Cuban music of the movie make for a perfect evening.
A votre Sante ...

tags: adventure, bicyle, aachen, paris

AACHEN PARIS BIKE ADVENTURE: DAY 3 <- clicken Sie here ...

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In the morning we cross the French border and instantly the bikepaths along the canal worsen from the nicely paved roads we had throughout Belgium to rough grassy trails, sometimes even nothing at all. We are riding through wetlands, and heat, flies, and the bumpy trail are becoming unbearable. Again it's me demanding a change, Marion thinks everything is just swell.

We move away from the canal to ride on country roads, making sure we keep the canal in sight to give us direction. The roads turn out to be a welcome change, much easier to make distance, and a nice variation to the dull, straight canal route. We pass quaint little villages patched into the undulating countryside.

In the afternoon we allow ouselves a chilled beer at an old pub in a village we pass. The place is filled with locals engaging in a card game tournament. All the old folks living in the village seem to be here participating. We enjoy watching these simple people so delightfully engaged in their game. The locals leave us alone for most part, but as we leave curiosity gets the best of them. They strike up a conversation, asking us about our bikes, where we are from, and where we are headed. They call our endevor to Paris "courageous", which makes us a little bit proud. Spirits are high as we estimate only 200 km left for Paris, two days of riding.

To spice things up I suggest we make a barbeque for the night. Mario agrees and we set up a fire and barbeque a steak, first hot food during our trip. What a delicious exception to our dreary meals! So far we´ve been eating baguettes and Salami and maybe a can of cold Ravioli morning and night. This primitive lifestyle is saving us money, but it also sours the experiece a bit. Our barbeque did not cost much more, but was such a satisfying change. I make a mental note to be more creative about the food from now on.

Now I just want a shower to feel alright, but you can´t have it all. Poison for the night: Vodka and orange juice.

tags: adventure, bicyle, aachen, paris

AACHEN PARIS BIKE ADVENTURE: DAY 2 <- clicken Sie here ...

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To make 100 km per day means that your aim is to ride 50 km before lunch, take a long lunch break, ride another 50 km after lunch, and set up camp in the evening. In between you take some smaller or longer breaks as needed.

Today we try to reach Charleroi in the South of Belgium by lunchtime, but without a map we have no idea how far it is. It turns out to be 70 km instead of 50 km, and at 37 degress blazing sun it is just too much for me. This is supposed to be fun, not torture. I feel like a rider of the Tour de France forcing his way ahead through pain, sweat, and fatigue, except there is no prize for me if I make it to our midday goal. Shortly before we reach the city I've had it: I throw the bike on the ground and demanded a break. Mario is a little surprised at my reaction, but agrees to stop for some food and drink. During the whole tour he is totally immune to pain or exhaustion, and I feel stupid that I always have to be the one calling for a break.

Riding the bike we get to know the country-side we passed quite well. We see big differences when we cross borders into another country, and even individual regions all have their own character: Rich or poor, medieval or modern, rural or metropolitan. The sourroundings pass us in slow-motion, and we have plenty of time to soak up their personaliy.

Many parts of Belgium we pass are quite depressing, brimming with heavy, rusty industry totally disfiguring the nature around. Especially Charleroi in the South of Belgium is a poor, dirty, industrial monster, with smoke belching factories, rusty old cranes, and scrap metal disarrayed everywhere. The worker's homes have all taken on the color of the rusty brown smoke from the factories' old brick chimneys. These conditions are so far away from the comfort my workplace provides, and I imagine what this dreary environment does to the people.

Much to my surprise the Belgian people turn out to be nicest of all the people we met along they way, very friendly and laid-back. There was not a single person that doesn't greet us with a "bon jour" as we pass by, or takes the time for a little chat with us about the tour. For me that is an important part of the trip: Getting to know a little bit more about the countries and the people we pass.

The last 10 km or so before our chosen camp site we always ride on eggshells. That´s when we have bought or fix of alcohol for the night, and neither of us want to see a bottle break from heavy riding. Tonight it´s two bottles of red wine. We camp at one of the 18th century sluices regulating the traffic on the canal. A bath in the mucky canal is all I get this evening, but it is better than nothing.

tags: adventure, bicyle, aachen, paris

AACHEN PARIS BIKE ADVENTURE: DAY 1 <- clicken Sie here ...

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Sprained wrist

Good start! We managed to go beyond our daily goal and ride 107 km without much stress. Never having ridden that much in my life worried me, especially after totally exhausting myself going up the first little hill still in Aachen. I was too anxious and went up too quickly trying not to fall behind well-experienced Mario. It turned out to be the hardest climb of the whole trip, after that I found my own tempo and kept up quite well.

At least until we hit the city of Luettich, Belgium, where I slipped on a patch of thick black oil in midst of heavy traffic. I was lucky not to get run over by trucks behind me, but took away a sprained wrist along with some scratches and bruises. We took a break to assess the damage, but I decided I was going to clench my teeth and ride on.

Wild camping

The day turned out to be hot and sweaty, but at the end I got the reward of taking a soothing shower at a campground near the place where we set up tent. I never thought a would appreciate a shower that much. I felt relief as the cool water ran over my aching body! Afterwards I felt good, clean and happy. Some vodka-coke and a nice talk about life and Mario and I went to sleep.

tags: adventure, bicyle, aachen, paris

AACHEN PARIS BIKE ADVENTURE <- clicken Sie here ...

This was to be no ordinary vacation. Six days, six hundred kilometers, two bikes, two tents, and no comfort. My friend Mario and I wanted to challenge ourselves for vacation, and we set off on a bike trip from Aachen through Belgium and France to Paris.

Some vin rouge to keep us happy

Well, it turned out to be quite an exciting quest, full of beautiful countryside, burning ass-pain, and a lot of adventure along the way. All the ingredients to make a great vacation. Mario played the part of the experienced guide. He had done the trip to Pairs two years earlier, but it had taken him and our friend Frank a sluggish eleven days to reach Paris, and he couldn´t stop thinking back on this disgraceful pace as we were to set the record straight. His goal was to get to Paris as fast as possible with a newbie like me in his tow. At the same time he wanted to use as little money as possible. Back to basics was his motto. Wild camping, cheap food, and cheap drink was his thing. He was kind enough, though, to take my capabilities as a greenhorn bike tourer into account, and we came to a good accord on the trip. We managed to keep a medium 100km per day pace.

Mario was very keen on keeping the bill down, so much so that he opted for wild camping on the side canal and swimming in it´s dirty-green waters instead of putting up tent in nice camp-grounds with toilets and showers. We also didn´t take a stove with us, so my food consisted of French baguette with salami and the occasional can of cold Ravoli, while Mario even went a step further by taking six rolls, 6 pieces of salami, and 3 camemberts with him from Aachen, and living off of this alone for quite a few days along the trip. Just imagine fresh camembert grilling for three days and blazing heat in his bike basket, and you can imagine how much he went back to basics.

Nice cold drinks to combat the heat were also not part of the plan. Instead we each would fill up two big bottles with luke-warm water from faucets we found along the way. The water would last us about half a day, but were far from refreshing, as they heated up pretty quickly in the blazing sun. But hey, it was for free, and that´s what seemed to count.

Mario and I under the Arc de Triomphe

Despite the hardship the trip was all worth it. We got along great, with Mario being quite considerate to my ideas, especially when I just about had it with the back to basics stuff. On day 6 at 21:00 in the evening we finally were in downtown Paris. We made it! At that point my ass hurt so much I couldn´t even appreciate reaching our goal. I decided to hit a hotel to reward myself for the long ride, while Mario camped out at the nearby Bois de Boulogne camp ground. We spent four wild days and wild nights in Paris to celebrate our trip.

In the next days I will post the diary of the trip that I recored along the way, so stay tuned.

tags: adventure, bicyle, aachen, paris

MY BITCHIN' BIKE <- clicken Sie here ...

Check out me on my new bitchin´ mountainbike

I went out and did quite a lot of searching for the perfect moutain bike for me: Affordable beginner´s bike, with a radical look and high quality. After sifting through countless MTB forums I ended up ordering A White Pepper from this German company Pepper Bikes (English webpage comming soon), because I felt they gave the best bang for the buck with a bike that just seemed well thought through.

Now that I have ridden it I can say I am more than pleased: This bike rocks! And the whole company, too! Friendly, quick, and honest service at almost any time of the day (and night). And how is this for customer service: I bought my bike for EU 649,-. A few weeks later they announced on their website, that they were able to make a deal with their supplier to allow lowering the price to EU 599,-. And everybody who paid EU 649,- will get EU 50,- back. Wow!

Their bikes are also a real good deal: One of their trekking bikes sold at EU 649,- tested very well against three other canidates in a national bike magazine test. Get this: The three other candiates all cost over EU 2000,-!

So my thanks goes out to Andi Braun and his Pepper Bike team, keep up the good work. When I grow up I want my company to be just as cool as yours :-)

P.S.: Shouts to Suelzkotlett for the rebel-soldier foto