A visit to lake Plön

Schenefeld Plön Schenefeld: a free entry to HaLaRa

Am Wochenende musste ich arbeiten - dafür gab es heute einen Ausgleichstag. So habe ich mich dann nach einem zweiten Frühstück vorsichtig vom Sofa auf das Liegerad umgebettet, und bin um 11h06 zu einer Runde nach Plön aufgebrochen. Das Wetter war  fantastisch, strahlender Sonnenschein, weder zu warm noch zu kalt. 

Azur blue lake.

Die Fahrt durch das Oberalstertal und die Naturschutzgebiete Bargetheide und Wittenborner Heide lohnt sich. Nur ein Stop im Storchencafé Vosshöhlen musste dieses mal ausfallen. Der Plöner See hat sich in schon in Bosau in bestem Azurblau präsentiert und damit für Ferienstimmung gesorgt. 

Lake Plön.

Die Durchfahrt durch Plön ist etwas mühsam. Auf dem Rückweg ging es über Vierer Berg, Heidmühlen -auch hier ohne Besuch im Café- am Stellenbrookmoor vorbei nach Hartenholm, Lentföhrden (mein Ausgangspunkt für  "Rund um das Dorf Berlin") auf gut laufenden Strassen nach Hause, wo ich dann um 18h34 nach 7h28 und 200km wieder ankam.

Red: way out, blue return. 11h06 -18h34, 7h28 200 km.

Stations of the trip.

See also: An autumnal tandem jaunt to Plön

Elb-Weser-Runde

Hamburger Langstrecken Radtouren (Regeln)

Angeregt durch den HaLaRa Bericht Nr.62 wollte auch ich der Fähre Brunsbüttel Cuxhaven einmal einen Besuch abstatten. Da wir ja um diese Jahreszeit in normalen Jahren in Schleswig Holstein bereits das 300er Brevet fahren würden habe ich noch einen Schlenker über Bremerhaven und die Weserdeiche mit dazugenommen und bin die Runde im Gegenuhrzeigersinn gefahren um die nicht so häufige Elbfähre Brunsbüttel-Cuxhaven planbar zu erreichen.

Elbfähre Brunsbüttel-Cuxhaven.

Bei der Abfahrt hatte ich noch schöne Morgensonne in den heimischen Alleen im Rücken, die aber bald einem grauen Himmel und stetig stärker werdendem Wind aus erst südwestlichen, später west-süd-westlicher Richtung Platz machte. Von einer kleinen Umfahrung durch die Windpark Erschlieschliessungsswege hinter Uetersen, die ich zum ersten Mal getestet habe würde ich eher abraten, die Orstdurchfahrt Elmshorn bleibt nervig, insbesondere die Baustelle Richtung Raa-Besenbek. Danach wird es schön und ruhig, Glückstadt umfahre ich weiträumig und habe die Welt bis auf das Stör Sperrwerk auf kleinen Strassen fast für mich allein. Auf die Kanalfähre in Brunsbüttel muss ich nur kurz warten und komme mit Luft bei der Elbferry Richtung Cuxhaven an.

Bremerhaven.

In Cuxhaven braucht es ein wenig bis ich mich aus den Docks und der Stadt gefädelt habe, ab Berentsch folge ich bis Bremerhaven dem Deichverteidigungsweg  der sich hier bis auf den Gegenwind gut fahren lässt, es gibt nur wenige Schafsgatter. Etwas Regen war angesagt, beschränkt sich aber auf leichtes Nieseln das nichtmal nass macht. Bremerhaven fängt nicht an, zieht sich, und hört nicht auf: Ortsschild habe ich keines gesehen, dafür passiere ich zweimal den Zoll und geniesse den heute verkehrsarmen Industriecharme der riesigen Hafenanlagen. Ab dann folge ich zunächst der Weser, wieder hauptsächlich am Deich, um dann bei Ritterhude Kurs auf die nördlichen Ausleger Bremens zu nehmen. Die rauschende Kurvenfahrt entlang der Wümme bis Lilienthal ist ein absolutes Highlight mit dem mittlerweile konsequenten Rückenwind.

Elb-Weser Runde. 314 km, Start 7h08, Ankunft 22h47,

Dauer 15h39.

Jetzt steht nur noch der Klassiker Bremen-Hamburg zwischen mir und dem Abendbrot. Dass es auch hier Regnen würde hatte ich in der Planung geflissentlich ignoriert, ebenso, dass es spät werden könnte. Dafür läuft es jetzt wieder und ich geniesse Abschnitte in kohl-pech-rabenschwarzer Nacht auf absolut einsamen Kleinststrassen im Lichtkegel meiner Lampe. Es kommt Brevet feeling auf. Dennoch ist es noch lang bis nach Finkenwerder, mittlerweile macht der Regen auch nass, und die letzte Fähre nach Teufelsbrück verpasse ich um fast eine Stunde. Also setze ich nach Övelgönne über mit der anschliessenden nervigen Schiebepassage längs der Elbterassen. Die letzten Kilometer auf der Elbchausse und längs des Klövensteen sind ein Detail.

Virtuelle Kontrollkarte.

Mit Öffnung der Sperrwerke im Sommer (und Runde im Uhrzeigersinn...?) , und etwas Feinarbeit hätte die Strecke das Potential zu einem quasi komplett Verkehrsfreien, schnellen, flachen 300er.

A visit to the Kiel Canal

An entry to HaLaRa: Hamburger Langstrecken Radtouren (rules)

For today (27.02.21) the Audax Club SH/HaLaRa had again prosed a route - unfortunately hard to reach for me, both, by car, and on-axis by bike. But with a rather optimistic weather forecast I went riding nevertheless on a route of my own which I would then submit as a free entrant. The idea was to scout a route to the Breiholz Ferry at the Kiel Canal including a number of promising fast rolling sections on deserted back roads. For me, this somehow bridged a gap in the terrain covered from home and the Brevets starting form Kiel which frequently coast along and cross the Kiel Canal.

Virtual control card. 222 km Start 10h42, Arrival 18h55, 8h13

on the road.

After a somewhat moist morning I was treated to a sunny arrival at the Canal Ferry in Breiholz (which is part of the traditional 400 km Brevet from Kiel), beautiful weather along the river Stör, the gentle warm glow of the winter evening light around Elmshorn, sunset in the marshlands close to home, and a giant moon on the last meters.

The track. 222 km.

A route I am certainly going to re-visit after weeding out some (rather short) concrete slab two-track farm roads.

Operation daylight: Rund um das Dorf Berlin

HaLaR - Hamburger Langstrecken Radtouren - Hamburg long

distance cycling tours. 13.02.21: "Around the village of Berlin."

HaLaRa (Hamburger Langstrecken Radtouren = Hamburg long-distance rides) provides an alternative offer of informal long distance rides in addition to the ACP-sanctioned Brevet calendar.

Pessimistic forecast of glazed roads - it turned out

the road conditions were actually perfect.

I was happy to find out about this, as it offered the possibility to get some exercise in times of home-office, to commit to a long ride on a given date - whatever the conditions, and still -even though only later- share the experience and adventures of the day with others who did the same. All while staying within the strict rules of the lockdown. 

I started 3 minutes after sunrise from the village Lentföhrden.

This ride was based on a specific route proposal "Around the village of Berlin", to be ridden as an individual time trial and everybody with his own starting-point and -time on the round-trip track. This is probably as close as we can get to a Brevet-style ride in these times. 

Morning light on the Stör bridge.

Speaking of conditions, they were simply exceptional: a perfect sunny winter day with snow across entire northern Germany, without wind, but also very cold. In anticipation of difficult road conditions and a warning of glazed roads, I had shod with the Challenge Baby Limus which already provided good service during a wintery ACP ride starting from Kiel in 2018.

Winter landscape.

This precaution turned out entirely unnecessary - the roads were in perfect condition and with the exception of two tiny stretches entirely free of snow and ice.

Ice sailing in Eutin.

I started out from Lentföhrden- which I reached by car. When handling my luggage, there was this distinct noise and feel to the fabric which I only know from mountaineering and polar trips. Only some time later I dicsovered that the themometer of my GPS read -13.9 C! No surprise. The actual surprise was that I managed to keep my feet warm during the entire ride, thanks to the Pearl Izumi 'Amfib' overboots  I had ordered last minute and which arrived just in time for this ride.

Eutin castle.

I had started at 7h47 three minutes after sunrise, and enjoyed the winter landscape in the orange glow of the morning sun. The bushes and trees around  Wulfsmoor were spectacular cladded in a translucent layer of hoarfrost.

On the lakes behind Preetz ice-skaters enjoy the perfect winter day. I reached Eutin - for me about the halfway point and took a short break. On the lake below the Eutin castle I contemplate the rare sight of ice yachting.

Wind park at a standstill - with temperatures plummeting
close to -15 centigrades I am happy its a calm day.

Todays highlight is the passage through the village of Berlin (Wikipedia), a curiosity complete with 'Potsdamer Platz' and 'Kuhdamm' I ought to research its history some day.

Bakery Michely in Hartenholm - apparently famous for its 'Berliners'
and a pilgrimage site for some.

I continue towards Hartenholm as the next Landmark of interest in my discovery of the 'real north'. For many Hartenholm is famous for its races, where the Werner comic universe met reality at several occasions. ... and for some personalities from the Velomobilforum its apparently a pilgrimage site providing an excuse for Berliner runs to a certain bakery.

Arrival at Lentföhrden with 15 minutes to spare until sunset.

On the final stretch, the daylight rapidly turned back to orange, and after 193 kms and 9h24 on the road, I finally arrive at Lentföhrden at 17h11 with only 15 minutes to spare until sunset. 'Operation dayligh': mission complete.

Virtual 'brevet card' as proof of participation.

Some say: 'if its not on Strava, it didn't happen'. I disagree. And the HaLaRa-rules are a little different. While a track is fine, a ride-report and a few pictures are even better. Thats more to my liking: 'If there are no pictures, the ride was probably too difficult'.

Thanks to Gerald for the route, and for Morten to make me aware of HaLaRa!

Time trial Hamburg - Berlin*

*Curslack - Spandau to be precise - 14.10.2017

Organizers website: HHB 2017

On the Velomobile forum: HHB 2017

The solo and team time trial Hamburg - Berlin is the seasons closing event of the Audax Club Schleswig Holstein. An inspiring mixture between brevet and race.  Its long enough to get brevet riders like myself interested, yet short enough to attract the fast racing crowd and triathletes. The course profile lets recumbents and faired HPVs play out their strength, and the fierce but friendly competition among them makes it feel like their informal championship. Accordingly there was a selection of the finest human powered vehicles on display, ranging from classic randonneur bicycles to the latest velomobiles. For my part, I rode the Pass Hunter. (VO Pass Hunter build). 

S21 to Bergedorf. "Powered by Nature"
one of the few rules for the time trial
Hamburg - Berlin.

The rules are pretty simple and leave a free choice of itinerary, as long the propulsion is human powered, traffic rules are respected, and two bridges over the river Elbe are crossed exactly once in the correct direction. 

There was a selection of the fines human powered vehicles on
display at the start.

The event is characterized by a mixture of nice touches on one side, and professionalism in its complex organization, that is executed entirely by the Audax Club SH on the other side.

Quattrovelo.

The inscription is literally worth the money, as it includes a generous breakfast buffet at the start in the Curslacker Landhaus, food, coffee and water at the only control in Dömitz, and luggage transport to the finish, where cheap beer, barbecue, and more excellent food wait to celebrate the days adventure.

Time trial bike.

The landscape along the Elbe has some marvelous stretches, and this year it was possible to actually enjoy it. Hamburg Berlin has a certain reputation for its autumnal weather, but this edition was the exception confirming the rule: The weather was dry, warm, and a steady tailwind procured a feeling of  smooth sailing. A welcome change after last years laborious ploughing into a consequent headwind accompanied by light rain.

On the road on the first leg. Mainly 'Elbuferstrasse'.

I had a late start at 7h44, and was quickly passed by a number of velomobiles, even though most of them had certainly chosen the latest possible starting times approaching 9h. No surprise, as the fastest hold average speeds around 50 km/h against which my 29 km/h for the first 95 km to the control in Dömitz are ridiculous at best.

Human powered Vehicle.

After mainly following the Elbuferstrasse, unsure whether the damage of Sturm 'Xavier' the week past had been cleaned up, I headed up the first hill in Alt Garge where I had cut through the forest last time.

This year, I visited the only real switchback (blue), where I,
had cut through the forest last time (red).

And who wouldn't invest a few hundred additional meters and a little climbing to take advantage of the only real switchback in 285 km? 

Most of the velomobiles started late yet still passed the
uprights on the first leg.

Single rider, - but the event is draft legal among participants.

Team drafting a velomobile.

Drafting a velomobile. Does it help, and for how long?

Predator: White Milan.

On the first col of the 'mountains' of Hitzacker the organizers had prepared a surprise feed stop for those choosing this route. Too early for me after the second breakfast at the start, I headed on.

Tiny hills close to Hitzacker.

Approaching Damnatz I decided in favor of the seemingly shorter zigzag through a maze of fields and farms where I had followed the meander of the Elbe last time.

What looks shorter (blue), turns out to be a maze of fields and
farms with a lot of sharp turns and dirty roads. Last year I
followed the meander of the Elbe (red).

Approaching the control. Bridge near Dömitz.

Tandem at the control.

A velomobile being scanned by the organizers.

After 3 h of comfortable riding with comparatively little effort, the second mandatory passage south to north over the bridge in Dömitz appeared in sight.

The organizers provided some food and water at the control.
(There even was a surprise feed station on top of one of the
hills close to Hitzacker).

Velomobiles at the control - for some the only stop.

Being a slow rider, I spent just a few minutes at the control to refill my water bottles, and enjoyed a short coffee and half a banana. Its a single stage event, the clock is always ticking, and it pays to be efficient in average.

Small villages ...

... linked by scenic backroads without traffic.

Most went without any luggage.

After some time I catched up with the well equipped race tandem, that had left the control just when I arrived, and wondered how our weathered vintage Peugeot TM8 that spends the weekend in the shed would fair on this course.

Say hello to the tandem. A melancholic thought to our vintage
Peugeot TM8 that spends this weekend in the shed.

I found the way to the dike, that I had missed last time, unsure whether the gravel route continues, and after I had seen other riders decide against. Its one of the beautifully desolate places, and the gravel path on top of the dike was fast rolling in the dry conditions.

I found the way to the dike (blue), that I had missed last time
(red).  

Many riders follow a route close to the Elbe for quite some time.

Back then they were watching us.

RG Sprinter Emden in one of the typical alleys. We played
cat and mouse for some time.

They were much faster, but had a different (longer) route and
longer stops.

I had been passed by many fast riders in the first leg, and to my initial surprise quite some of them now overtook me once again, a few even more than twice I believe, but its hard to distinguish riders with identical jerseys form clubs participating with several teams. They were already greeting me as 'le randonneur' for my conspicuous steel bike, front luggage, leather shoes, and unshaved legs.

Wittenberge - about half-way out.

I was passed by many riders.

Yet it shows, how different equipment-, route-choices and stop strategies can partially even out on a long event. Speaking of strategies, I have to admit, that I didn't have any this time and therefore rode a two stop strategy. I was hoping to find a gas station along the route in Havelberg, and got a little nervous heading into the rather deserted Havelland with little water left in the bottles after none had materialized. The Aldi in Friesack was still a long way to go. Just when I was about to run dry, the NP in Rhinow came to my rescue and  I refueled with  bottle of water, a coke, and a pack of 'Marzipankartoffeln'.

There was a lot going on on 'the course' and at the side of the
road. This handsome gentleman from Stendal happened to have
a track pump in his trunk, right when two participants had need
for it. He kindly took care of the inner tube no longer fit for the
purpose too. Honi soit qui mal y pense.

There were things going on at the side of the road. Cars at cycling speed, following roads that make more sense for participants but not so much for somebody providing support only at the control. May be all of them were vehicles of the organizers? Honi soit qui mal y pense. The organizers seem to have made similar observations...

The Havelland is full of beautiful alleys.

Just on the last stretch, when I already thought I had made it,  a roadsign unambiguously told me that I wouldn't cross the Havelkanal right here because of construction work. I followed the deviation, only to realize it might use the highway.  I turned around a second time laboriously rerouting myself with the tiny screen of my GPS.

In Paulinenaue it payed not to follow (blue) the concret slab
farm track, I considered shorter last year (red). I seem to
have been the only one not up-to-date that the bridge over the
Havelkanal was closed. Detour.

After a number of Berlin's traffic lights wearing my patience, I finally reached the Wassersportheim Gatow after 10h33 in the rapidly fading light of a beautiful day.

Finish at Wassersportheim Gatow. Beer,
sausages and memories of todays and past
adventures.

Way home from Berlin to Hamburg next day.
(Some 'real ones' ride back...)

This edition saw the introduction of a 'starters pass' (not
shown), QR-codes to scan start, passage at the control,
and finish, and a finishers medal. This mixture of nice touches
and professionalism characterized the entire event.

Ok, here are the numbers: A total of 285.82 km (including a small detour via
Brieselang - I was probably the only participant not up to date that bridge over
the Havelkanal was closed) in 10h33. This results in an average of 27 km/h,
stops included. As this year's conditions were perfect with a steady tailwind,
this is almost a bit shabby compared to last year's 11h29 into a consequent
headwind.