After weeks and weeks of high 30s Deg C weather, we planned to start early today in an attempt to avoid the heat. The route started at the back of Gelterkinden station and we planned to leave at 8am. 4 of us has registered for the ride and 3 had gathered when I received the first notice of a problem. A flat tyre that couldnt be changed because she couldnt get the wheel off!! I know this bike and had issue swapping wheels - I suggested meeting up on the route by riding it in the opposite direction - we would see later if she made it.
We had a new joiner today, after quick introductions we set off towards Tecknau, weaving our way through the village that still seemed to be sleeping. The planned route would avoid main roads and use farms and narrow roads instead. We made good progress up the valley to Zeglingen for the first climb. The route went up the narrow channel with the tiny stream - there was still water in the lower part - we arrived at the top just as a few drops of rain fell. This rain increased as we stopped and had a snack/drink. The radar predicted a shower for about 10 minutes - it wasnt long before it slowed enough for us to start again, being careful of the now wet roads on the steep sections. When we got to Oltingen, the rain was worse, we stopped again to huddle under a canopy in the middle of the village.
It was here that I received the message that companion 3 had given up on the bike and was in the process of dusting off her old bike. She would met us at Frick station - when would we be there? Not a clue, as we were at that point under a brolly, watching the rain. I decided to adjust the route and skip the extra climb to the church at top of the Rothenfluh hill and go straight down to Wittnau. The roads were quite wet at this point but the rain soon stopped and we wouldnt see any more. There were some dark could above Frick at that point but by the time we got there - they had gone.
The descent to Wittnau was just as quiet as the other roads had been until we passed a cycling club on their way up the hill. There were hundreds - OK not hundreds but loads :) - in little groups with spaces between. We waved, of course.
It didnt take us long to stop in Wittnau for the toilets before riding to Frick and landed at the station and I learned our companion still had 4km left to ride to meet up. We used this second stop for more eating....
She arrived, we let he calm down and after introductions we were off again for the climb over to Schupfart. Practically no traffic we climbed up and over. We spotted a deer in the distance - it ran into the middle of a recently harvested field, seemed to realise it was now very visible and ran back to where it had come from. A brief stop at the top to admire the view, find the correct road and spot some small planes. These will have come from the airfield at Schupfart so we decided we would go and investigate
Wildlife spotted: woodpeckers in Zeglingen, a Red Kite at Schupfart and the spooked deer
