The weather has been tropical for a while, so obviously for our ride today, it rained. This ride would take us east of Gelterkinden, over the hill at Rothenfluh and beyond. As the week progressed, more people signed up for the ride and by Friday we had 6! By Sunday morning we were down to 4 - only the very mad/dedicated go out when the weather is predicted to be wet.
We met at Sissach station, 2 arrived by train, the third by bike from Liestal - so she started the route at a different place, and would leave it there too. Extensive hellos, as we hadnt seen each other for ages, then we set of towards Gelterkinden. Following the velo route - never go up the main road, always go the side roads and past the station, before a quick detour through the village itself and on to the veloweg on the pavement where we share the pavement with pedestrians. This being a Sunday morning, they were none. To Rothenfluh via the farm roads and then on to the first climb of the day. A short stop for jacket/arm warmer removal and off we went. It was quiet, with hardly any traffic except a bunch of old cars on some sort of rally, we climbed together for a while before settling down to a comfortable tempo where I could chat :). At the top I had expected to see my BLVF group sticker but it was gone! We didnt stop too long as the first real stop of the day was planned to the toilets at Wittnau - which we duly did.
Next on to the climbs along empty farm roads. The first was from Wölfinswil where we were confronted by a stationary bull in the distance, next to a tree. The conversation was- "is it real?", "it cant be real", "no its not real".. It wasnt real.
The bull was there as of a farm awareness route. https://landwirtschaft.ag/erlebnis/buurelandweg
There are apparently more statues, have a look!
The rain we had at the start had stopped but it was still cool. Continuing on to the next climb we passed a huddle of tractors with people milling about and dogs all over the place. Safely navigating this obstacle led us to the next as we turned right to climb up the next hill. The smaller climbs today had the same format - stupidly steep at the start and just when you think you will explode, they level off a bit and you manage it. Then a bit of flat at the top before a scary wet/dry rush down the other side.
Our last climb through Elfingen was shallower at the start and not as steep at the end, but as it was climb number 5 it took its toll. Stopping at the top for more to eat and a regroup we learned that i am the only person who regularly makes my own cycling snacks - I highly recommend it. I have no idea if its cheaper but for me its part of the cycling enjoyment and I normally have a freezer full of part batches of left over snacks. Today food was Banana Bread, Flapjacks, my attempt at a panforte and 3 dates. All washed down with a mixture of water, lemon juice salt and honey in my SD Works pro team bidons we were gifted at last years Tour De Romandie Feminin when we had a look around the Team Buses. But I digress!
After refuelling, we continued to the main road for the fun and fast descent all the way down through Sulz to Rheinsulz, a quick right turn and then left to get on to the Veloweg separate from the main road. Onwards to toilet stop 2 in Laufenburg at the station. It was at this point that the heavens opened and the rain started again, we rushed to reach the shelter at the bike shed. It wasnt long before we set off again through Kaisten (memories of the Schwarzwaldrundfahrt) and along the long straight veloweg through the trees. Companion 1, in front, pulling like mad person (or it felt like that to me) in the headwind. I had to ask to slow down, phew!
In Eiken a few corners then again on the road and down towards Wallbach. Here we go right and admire the river which was huuuuge. The impact of the heat not visible, the impact of the rain was massive. Up we went for the "last time" and stopped again at the tree. I was here last week and saw a huge flock of stocks circling above the field. This time there were only crows. We admired the field of carrots, ready to be harvested.
The last leg was via Rheinfelden, Kaiser Augst and Füllinsdorf which was where we parted and those from Basel turned towards Pratteln. I continued to Itingen where my last companion turned back to Liestal having made sure to have completed the 100km :). When I arrived back in Sissach, the counter was at 94km as per the plan. We all managed over the 100km by the time we all arrived home.
Thanks to the group for daring to come out when the weather forecast had been so rubbish. The weather turned out to be OK. Cool and a bit wet, but it stopped and we were not soaked.
Distance - approx: 100km
Climbing : 1255m
Avg Speed : 19.6km/h
Notable sightings:
Fibreglass bulls - 1
Dogs - lots
Cats in the middle of a field - 1
Carrots - millions
Oldtimer cars - loads
