Back on the road again...early!

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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…

St Wolfgang with the Scharfberg behind