To - Ingolstadt
Distance - 101km
Time - 8 hours
Total - 2255km
I'm still not clear about the discrimination? I did get another roommate last night. He was an Australian called Peter. Whatever way you think about it they must keep English speaking people away from the natives as a matter of policy. At midnight there was a twist to the tale. The Aussie hadn't come back to the room and I was already in bed asleep from 10.30pm. The door opened and in came two Japanese backpackers apologising for disturbing me. There is only one light in the room and they of course needed some light to make the beds etc. They made the beds and then went out again. They came back in half an hour and left again. Shortly after that Aussie Peter returned but nice and quiet and didn't put the light on. Shortly after 1am the Japanese twosome came back and went to bed. My sleep wasn't the greatest to say the least! I think the hostel staff lulled me into a false sense of security and then chuckled as they sent the Japanese lads up. I got my own back when I got up at 7.15am and disturbed them. Even by the time I had finished breakfast and packed my gear at 8am they were all still dead to the world.
Due to the fact that I had been awake in the night, I knew it had been raining because I could hear it on the windows. Unfortunately it was still raining in the morning. In fact it was raining all day. It had been forecast so I couldn't claim to be surprised. Would you believe me if I told you that it only stopped when I arrived at Ingolstadt, just over 100 km later.
There is no direct route by cycle track to Ingolstadt unless I tried the Autobahn hard shoulder. I knew it would be around 100km but it would depend on my navigation skills because the cycle paths on my iPad maps were a bit wiggly. My general direction was due north and I crossed over the Autobahn several times. It wasn't long before I was wet through but the rain changed several times in its intensity from light to heavy and when it was light I did dry out a bit but once your shoes are soggy there is no way back.
I'm not one to complain but I will on this occasion. I was fortunate enough to notice that one of my cables was frayed to the point of breaking. It was the one that changes the crank gears (those are the ones on the pedals). It wouldn't have been fatal but I would have been stuck on whatever cog I was in at the time the cable snapped. I have also been having a niggling back brake problem where the brake had become almost totally ineffective even after I tightened up the cable. I decided to look for a cycle repair shop. I didn't have much hope but in the next town I found three cycle shops on the same industrial estate. Even though it was lunchtime I got great service at a 'Specialized' cycle shop and they worked on it straight away. New cable required for the crank gears and an adjustment to the back brakes. It seemed to do the job. I checked the tyre pressures and everything was good. I even charged my iPad and had a coffee whilst I was waiting. They also promised the weather would dry up in the afternoon (a promise too far!).
I was much relieved to set off again with peace of mind that the bike was good. Unfortunately the back brakes lasted about 10km before they were as useful as a chocolate fire guard! Don't worry I had front brakes working. I tried to tighten the cable again but it was no better. I managed to carry on to Infolstadt and found the biggest bike shop I have ever seen. Their diagnosis was that it needed new brake shoes for the back disc brakes but they didn't have. My variety in stock. They could get them in a week! Ah ha, I said but I have a spare pair in my bag. They were the old ones that were taken off when I had a per-journey service. They had still some miles in them so. He brought them. I went digging in the front bag and ... they were nowhere to be found! On a couple of occasions the contents of my front bag had been thrown onto the road when I went over bumps too fast. So, I was cursing myself and also the store for not having the parts that are very standard in the UK. To give them some credit they did take the brakes apart and swapped the brake pads round so that I have some temporary braking performance. Not sure how long it will last but I could be calling at more cycle shops and also checking the Internet to get the right part code number and try and pre-order it to a shop further along the route?
Sorry, not much humour in this edition of the blog. Neither is there much in the way of photos. I was constantly using the iPad for navigation in a sealed plastic sleeve and I didn't want to keep getting if wet for photos. To be honest, there wasn't much worth a photo. I did take a photo of the style of bike I nearly swapped mine for!
The hostel at Ingolstadt was full when I tried to book it, so I am in a 'pension'. It's not the kind of pension I like. I prefer the ones that pay me money rather than the other way round. I have a room for three persons all to myself. This is getting to be a bit of a theme. The good news is I am only paying for a single. I got a quick shower and washed and hung my wet stuff up.
After much consideration my song for the day is 'Autobahn' by Kraftwerk. I thought they made cheese slices!! Jokes don't get cheesier!
I nearly forgot that I need to eat some humble pie. I mentioned David Hemmingway winning the 440 metre hurdles at the Munich Olympics in 1972. Apparently the only thing I was right about was his first name. It was David Hemery winning the 400 metres gold at Mexico in 1968, he came third at Munich! He wasn't related to Dick Emery but he was awful and I do like him! Thank you for the pedantic person who pointed my factual inaccuracy out!
As if I hadn't done enough I had a ride into Ingolstadt this evening and it is a very pleasant place. I didn't even have a map so I just rode around the centre. The schloss is solid and fairly basic but the shopping area and colourful buildings and churches all seemed to pass muster! Still, I'm not staying out tonight. It's an early bed. I feel like listening to part 3 of the Reith Lecture on 'the Law and its enemies'! So I could be talking more twaddle tomorrow.
I all nearly forgot that Rebekah has booked the flights for her and John to come and see me in Venice. Now that's what I call exciting. Need to find some accommodation now.
Just a little plug for my fundraising for St Mary's Hospice at Ulverston. If you haven't already please donate on the following web address:-
www.justgiving.com/R-Vernon
Thanks.
Photo 1, New bike. Look closely at the label, they are 'Puky' bikes. It makes me sick!
Photo 2, Ingolstadt Schloss
Photo 3, Ingolstadt centre.
Photo 4, I thought it was a nice photo with the sun going down. Pity about the cranes!
Photo 5, I've been there today and back. Nordbrau is the local brewery.
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