Am Ende des Jahres zum Ende der Welt

LEL 2025 aka London-Floris-London, day 4

LEL 2025 aka London-Floris-London, day 3

LEL 2025 aka London-Floris-London, day 2 part 2

LEL 2025 aka London-Floris-London, day 2

It is common wisdom among progressive Germans to take a condescending view on the Palatinate, a German backwater that was home of Helmut Kohl and Boris Becker - two 1980s characters that (for some very good reasons) are emblematic for German provincialism.  The people in the Palatinate speak a funny accent, too. 

However, the landscape really totally rocks. (The gallows were a bit unsettling though....) The Platinate Forest is one of the largest forests in Germany, with many lovely small roads, few car drivers and stunning vistas. Julian and I independently of each other thought it somehow reminded us of Mallorca.

Peter, Julian and I met for an evening start and rode through the wasteland that is the "Ried" along the Rhine - urban sprawl at its worst. But we covered good ground during the night. 

It was a dry and warm night, followed by a dry and somehow warm day. 

However, a 400 with that little climbing should feel (and be) much easier, in particular at this time of the season. I blame Covid and Wirecard - in particular over the past three or so weeks, I just got too few miles into my legs. 

We were flagged down by a hen night, and Peter was bullied into making a wedding proposal. Afterwards, he was cycling even faster than usual.This happends when people can't fly to Mallorca for a fiver.... 

We also run into a weird pedal-powered  draisine for hire business, which seems to be the attraction of the day for the locals. 

Had a freak mechanical when one of the safety splints of my brake pads went AWOL, followed by the brake pad itself. But no real consequences, apart from riding with the front brake only.  will have to look at that. 

After 404 km, I had enough and jumped on the S bahn to get me home. Felt like cheating but who cares?

Thanks Peter and Julian for your great company. 

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Olaf S

Three cheers to the Palatinate

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Am Ende des Jahres zum Ende der Welt

LEL 2025 aka London-Floris-London, day 4

LEL 2025 aka London-Floris-London, day 3

LEL 2025 aka London-Floris-London, day 2 part 2

LEL 2025 aka London-Floris-London, day 2

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