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Published: June 16th 2013
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Because the road and rail is closed between Obertraun and Bad Aussee, Larry took us and our bikes to a top of a hill near Bad Aussee where he would pick us up later in the day.
The start was ominous in that the first few kilometres was downhill flat out - which meant we had to bike up it later in the day. Once we arrived at Altaussee, we took the R61 bike trail to Blaa Alm which was several kilometres up a valley to a ski field, through forest and on to open meadow. It seems to be a popular place in the weekend with many cyclists and motor bikers coming and going. Coming back down to the ski lift we had lunch and headed back down to the lake of Altausseer See where we couldn't find the path. Again. We asked a lady who sent us off up a bumpy track somewhere which obviously wasn't right so back we went. By this time it was getting hot - around 30 degrees. We eventually found the path to Grundlsee which was a higher route away from the traffic in the valley. This was a lovely path to take
So incredibly hot
What a day to be biking - in the 30s!! Here we are stripped off waiting for Larry to pick us up. through small villages and farms in open country surrounded by mountains. Very pretty, but very hot. We weren't at all struck by the idea of going down to the lake because it meant biking back up again in the heat. I have swapped to a mountain bike with 27 gears which has made a huge difference since the trail bike I had is heavy with 21 gears. I just could not have done the ride today in the heat on that bike.
There seems to be a common theme coming through with the Austrians. They are very keen to help if you are looking at a map or looking unsure. They give instructions on where to go, and invariably it is wrong! Off we go and next thing we are back again looking for the right way.
On the way back we had a few stops to cool off and a Radler beer, nice and cold, at a café. We phoned Larry to come at pick us up some time after 4pm and headed back to the meeting location - up the long hill. We both felt we were on fire by the time we reached the main road. It is an absolute killer pushing bikes uphill in the heat. Hiking is bad enough, biking is far worse. So, all in all, the scenery was great, the location lovely, but not on a bike in 30 degrees.
Needless to say it was straight into a cool shower on returning to House Hepi.
Today we had 2 couples of Ozzies arrive. The two we met the other day at Ebensee, and another two from Sydney (he is an ex Kiwi). This time the Antipodeans outnumbered the others. 6 of us, 2 English, 3 South Africans. We all sat outside on the deck into the night until 10.45 and had many stories to tell and be told. A noisey bunch.
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