About a mile into the ride we started climbing. Up and up and up. I have been running 50-60 miles a week for a while. My riding consists of about one (flat) coffee shop recovery (read: soft-pedal) ride a week. I figured if there was cappuccino somewhere on the route maybe my body wouldn't know the difference.
It was rather toasty out and even the goats were hiding in the shade.
I stopped several times to "take photos" - and eat the giant Bavarian pretzel I had stuffed into my pack before we left. I'm fairly certain without that pretzel I might be sitting next to a cow with a giant bell around his neck watching the sunset rather than writing this.
The views were breathtaking. Literally.
My legs hated me. I may have walked. Several times. I suppose a 27 mile ride with 5200 feet of climbing might be a tad bit aggressive off coffee shop training.
But then again, I made it, so I think my training plan is fairly solid.
And you know what - in Austria they have little hüttes at the top of the mountains with cakes (that I can't pronounce - I think mine was a schwetze...strudel) that are served with Suhne. Always say yes when asked if you want suhne (it's fresh whipped cream)! I got my cappuccino and then descended the mountain for a very, very, very long time, making my "coffee shop ride" complete.
