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| Riding towards the Tennengebirge from Salzburg |
It’s just
so good to be back in the saddle. Back on the road. After four months of snow. Salt,
grit and ice on the roads. Four months of grinding on the rollers.
Cold in the
early mornings. Just a few lean and hungry riders getting race fit. Too cold
for the e-bikers. Warmer as the day progresses, but still the lanes and bike
trails are almost empty.
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| Mondsee in the Salzkammergut - riding through that bank of cloud was very cold |
The surrounding mountains are thick with late snow. As if someone had spread icing with a spatula. They gleam in the sun. The peaks sharply outlined against the deep blue sky.
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| Early morning view of the Tenengebirge - snow like thickly-spread icing |
The winter months have left their mark. Some grit remains. New potholes have appeared, old ones have become cavernous. Roads have cracked in the frost.
The sights
and smells of spring are emerging. The woods reek of wild garlic. A few wild
flowers are nudging their way into the light.
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| The fortress at Höhenwerfen - on the Tauern and Alpe Adria cycle routes |
After the
monochrome months, the colours are striking even though the greens are not yet
green – everything is brown and flattened by the snow. Pedalling round the
local circuits, it’s as if for the first time.
The urge to
plan the summer’s tours is strong. Maps, ideas, articles, lie in piles about
the house. Watch this space…
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| St Wolfgang with the Scharfberg behind |
