Tour de Appenzell

Summer returned in time for the weekend. On Thursday I picked up my bike from the shop, and was giddy with anticipation. This weekend we were finally expecting sun, and it was too long ago since I last went mountain biking!

On Saturday morning I put on my gear and slapped on a layer of sunscreen. Deja vu. I thought back to the tours in June, but reminded myself that today wasn't going to be that easy. I wanted to push myself hard, really hard. This was to be hardest yet.

Tanja joined me for a part of the ride. She also loves to bike. I was very impressed that she worked until 2am the night before, and still had the energy to join me at 7:30 in the morning. For those who know Appenzell, our route went from St. Gallen - Speicher - Gäbris - Gais - Biseren (near Hoher Hirchberg) - Weisbad - Chamhalden (near Schwägalp) - Blattendürren - Jakobsbad - Gonten - Chuterenegg - Hundwilerhoehi - Hundwil - Stein - St. Gallen. Here's a Google Map (with photos) for the rest of you.

Wow! What a ride! The altitude profile is below, although I did cheat and walk the last 100m of the Hundwilerhoehi. I took a wrong turn somewhere that I had to correct by walking up a 40% grade (not to mention that it went through cow poop and I couldn't feel my legs). It was tough, but I'd do it again. I'd just skip the Hundwilerhoehi next time due to the steep descent and loose stones on the path. I think I got tendinitis from braking!

Next weekend camping and hiking in Tessin!

[ Some photos from the ride ]