The November ride had been in the Strava group event calendar for a few weeks, to give anyone who was interested time to see it, decide its a great route and sign up :). At one point there were 6 of us, on the day itself we still had 4, so I was very pleased. We met up at Gelterkinden station, wrapped up warm and set off. Some wore red/orange, others light cream and I was sporting my best "highlighter pen yellow", so we could not be missed. I had also fitted my winter wheels with dynamo - and that is my excuse for being the slowest on the day.
The route would take us over the hills towards Laufenburg, along the river before turning back on ourselves to go over more hills. The wind direction was that horrible 2tail on the way out and head wind on the way home".. so basically backwards to ideal. Never mind.
We had a good start over the first hill and were careful on the downhill. The road surface isnt the best and it was cold so we were a bit worried there may be some ice. Thankfully there was none, it was just damp and foggy. The 2 fast ones were off up the hill, I plodded at the back. Im sure it was the effect of the dynamo :). I never trust battery lights at this time of the year, there is just too much dark and fog to rely on a battery to last. Left turn at Schupfart and soon on to the veloweg, away from any cars. We had to dodge one bike coming the other way but other than that we had a free run all the way to Mumph. The main road is busy so we needed to be careful and set ourselves us in a line, me doing my best at the front.
First stop was Laufenburg station - toilets and, for some, coffee to warm up. Refreshed we set off again to go into the unknown. I had been here a few times but for some of us it was a first. The roads are good, often with a veloweg for traffic avoidance and we finally found the blue sky!!!
A selfie and admire of the sun/sky and then it was a fun downhill to Villigen for stop number 2. I always like the rock conveyer that you pass under.
We were now on the return leg so this was when the head wind really started to be felt. The route took us parallel to the road again until we spilled out onto the main road at Mönthal for the climb to Ampherenhöhe. This felt steep. I know it is fairly steep but to day it felt worse. Perhaps my dynamo lights were very bright...... The others had stopped at the top to admire the fog, I puffed my way up. At the top we had a rest, ate some food and I stuck a sticker on the pole that is supposed to hold the Pass sign. There was not sign, just the empty pole. It now has a BLVF sticker adorning it. Off we set again down the 13% part before a very sharp left and down/up and rush to the top. My companions permitted me to be at the front when we were going downhill :). As soon as we go up again, they pass me. It was a fun route with lots of veloweg to separate us from the cars. We entered Frick, managed to cross the road at the garage and ended up in Wittnau church wall for our final rest.
When we set off again we were in a tight bunch on main road and had a ridiculous close pass. The car over took and pulled in really tight as soon as he was shoulder to shoulder with us. It was horrible. I shouted a few choice words - I know the driver doesnt hear but it makes me feel better :).
Now on the last climb of the day, again I was dropped fairly early on, passed them at Kienberg as I didnt stop and was passed again before the top. The only thing left for us now was a brilliant ride down to Rothenfluh and on to Ormalingen. It was great fun, me at the front - we were descending after all. I guided us through Gelterkinden again and we were soon back at the station. We had covered about 95km. So the only thing for it was to try to squeak it over the 100km. It would be a shame to miss the opportunity. I headed home with a detour towards Runenberg, the others went to Sissach and Itingen to achieve the target.
A great day out, and I'm sure that dynamo made my bike 10kg heavier. Its either that or the post covid recovery or that hike I had been on a few days before. Old age doesn't come itself - as they say :).
Thanks to my companions, for the company and pushing me to a few PRs - oeff!. Hope to see you on a bike soon.
Distance - 100km!!
Climbing - 1150m
Avg speed - 20kph
Close passes - 2
Cats staring into fields - too many to count
