London  Netherlands  Belgium & Luxembourg  Rhine & Mossel  Switzerland  France  Munich, Salzburg, Innsbruck  Denmark & England 

Gruss Gott,

Welcome to the Munich, Salzburg, and Innsbruck edition of Handlebar Highlights,

Munich 

I really liked Munich as a city. It has some culture, a fair number of touristy sites, the largest beer garden in the world, lots of parks/bike paths, the Olympic Stadium Complex, a great outdoor market, and a man made rapids. Basically the population seems to be very active while enjoying good food and beer. What more do you need.

The only down fall I could come across was there seemed to be a large number of naked men on my running path compared to young ladies, but I guess you do need to take the good with the bad.

I should make this observation also. Munich more than any place in Europe I have been enjoys laying out naked.

Salzburg & Festung Hohensalzburg 

Salzburg is a lovely town with the largest preserved castle in Central Europe. The castle is very impressive one of the sights that definitely allows you to see into the medieval times. It feels like a small city enclosed by thick walls atop an impressive hill.

Salzburg is also the birthplace of Mozart so there are a few attractions orientated around him. If Mozart is not enough to bring you close to music it is also where a lot of "The Sound of Music" was filmed so you can always take a tour of the city and remember your favorite scenes.

Halstatt, & Pass Gschitt 

Halstatt is a beautiful little city on the Halerstatt See, that developed in support of the worlds oldest salt mine. I was mainly there however to rest up for Pass Gschitt.

Pass Gschitt is about the same elevation change as the last pass I did in Switzerland and one of my books describes 17% grades and states that it is an excellent example of alpine cycling. Given the info above I was definitely dreading the climb.

As with everything you dread, but prepare for it was not that bad and the actual climb seemed easier than the one in Switzerland. It is though always good to test your mind and body to know that you can control both through difficult challenges.

Zell am See  

WOW, Zell am See is a very beautiful place. I can honestly say that because one thing I have learned is that the truly beautiful places still look beautiful in the rain. Which I saw Zell am See in the Rain, the mist, the shower, the Down Pour....!!! I did learn how this small Austrian town manages to deal with adverse weather be it a week long rain or ton of snow though and that is by having an indoor pool, bowling alley, Ice rink, and restaurant, it certainly made my afternoon.

Innsbruck 

Innsbruck is a beautiful town nestled in the broad Inn river valley. Innsbruck is however a little light on the tourist attractions, after all the main thing they want you to go see is some gold roof that is more an overhang, and all of about 30 feet wide. Innsbruck does however make up for the lack of touristy sight seeing stuff by having awesome scenery, and planned free tours of it. Yes, the Innsbruck Tourism Association has a variety of hikes every day of the week during peak season that are offered free of charge. The one I participated in was about a half hour bus ride and a 4 hour hike with a different pick up point for our return trip into Innsbruck. You have to like a city that capitalizes on their natural beauty.

Enjoy Life,
Later,
DUKE

Date	From	To	Miles
8/21	Munich Train Station	Camp	6.31
8/22-24	Munich Tour & Run
8/25	Munich	Seebruck	69.63
8/26	Seebruck	Salzburg	54
8/27	Salzburg Tour
8/28	Salzburg	Gosauzmang (near Halstatt)	48.33
8/29	Gosauzmang	St Johann	47.81
8/30	St Johann	Zell am See	32.36
8/31-9/1	Running Rain Days
9/2	Camp to Banhoff	Banhoff to Innsbruck to Camp	6.5

Comments or for letters to the editor email me at duke@systemscoach.com