Summer = alm

Austria, mountains, sun, bratwurst, beer and good company  make a perfect summer's day.

Hochkönig

After five years of wanting to get on the top of this one, my Dad and I climbed the Hochkönig yesterday.

And what a mountain. It reigns high over the Pongau/ Pinzgau regions, the many peaks making up its massiv viewable from dozens of directions. At 2941m it's not the biggest, but since we've skied below it for years and it can be seen from Mum and Dad's kitchen window, it has to be done.

So we started up from the Arthurhaus above Mühlbach at 5:45am, a pretty standard start time in Austria if you're going to climb something. Admittedly the hike up is not the hardest, but it's long and you spend virtually all of the time clambering over loose stones or rocks. In total we racked up 1700m in altitude gain, but there are little ups and downs along the whole track that wear you down.

Intrepid explorer

Stunning morning, view direction Bischofshofen

Sun

View into the valley with Torsaüle on left

We got to the summit at just after 11am. The hut, das Matrashaus, is perched right on the highest point. A shelter has been at that spot since 1898, serving hot food and drink and accommodation to anyone needing it. It's quite incredible, that after hiking over five hours in high Alpine terrain, there's a mini-hotel at the most extreme end of it. The Austrian's sure know how to make the most of their mountains.

Obligatory shot

View from the top

Unfortunately, the summit was just at cloud base so the view wasn't amazing. It was cold too, with a blasting wind that required thermals, beanies and windproof jackets. But we inhaled a couple of sandwiches, then went inside for a coffee and cake. Dad ordered his regular pea soup with a frankfurter dropped in it.

The descent felt longer and harder than the uphill. It took nearly five hours due to all the rocks, scree and ups and downs. Just before getting back to the car park we guzzled a Radler at the Mitterbergalm - Radlers were invented for such occasions, I'm sure. We got back to the car after 11hours of walking.

Torsaüle

A big thanks is due to my old man for this. We've been saying for years we must do it, and finally we have. It was a great personal achievement but a team effort and wouldn't have been possible or worth it without my Dad being there too (and in fact my Mum who kindly babysitted Angus while we were sweating it out).

Fuschlseelauf

Am August 28, findet in Fuschl wieder der Fuschlseelauf statt. Das heißt eine Runde um See, 12km und hoffentlich schöne Wetter.

Ich habe ein bisschen für zooom mit der Veranstaltung gearbeitet. Sie sind ganz ehrliche Leute und machen diese Rennen nur für die Publikum, nicht für sich selbe.

Fuschlsee

Aber sie brauchen jetzt Teilnehmer. Wer Jogging mag und Zeit hat, soll sich hier anmelden.

Tag der Blasmusik

Apparently 6:45am on a Sunday is the perfect time for the village band to start playing and marching around. I know I've blogged about it before but it still fascinates and annoys us in equal measure every year.

Guten Morgen

Ezra's Press Release

It's nice to write stuff for people who really appreciate it. Ezra Philips, a bike courier from Auckland who was on the road while I was still riding, is off to the Bike Messengers World Championships. Again. It's the fifth time he's scraped together funds and saved his pennies to make the trip, and I'm glad he asked me to put together and send out a press release for him.

Ezra Philips and his weapon of choice

PRESS RELEASE JULY 4, 2011.

PHILLIPS TO REPRESENT NEW ZEALAND FOR FIFTH TIME AT CYCLE MESSENGER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN POLAND

 

Ezra Phillips will represent New Zealand for a fifth time at the Cycle Messenger World Championships (CMWC), which begins in Warsaw, Poland on July 28.

 

The 29-year-old from Tauranga will be one of five New Zealanders competing against 2000 messengers from around the world in various disciplines during the five-day event. Phillips is aiming for a podium position in the sprint races, competitions that involve short sharp efforts usually from a standing start. 

He, and the other Kiwis - Angus Edmond, Jenna Makgill, Gary-Max Hampton and Leon Skiba - will also take part in the Main Race, a competition that simulates daily bicycle courier life. Riders must pick up and deliver packages to different locations around a closed circuit as fast as possible.

“Just qualifying for the finals is tough,” says Phillips, “but I have been training hard and am confident I will put in a good show.”

“The CMWC are very competitive but are also about celebrating worldwide messenger culture and sharing a common passion.”

Phillips works for City Dox Couriers in Auckland and has been a bicycle messenger for eight years, during which time he has clocked up a total of 120,000km.

“I have been riding my bike my whole life - my girlfriend claims to have seen me pedalling in my sleep!”

Phillips first competed at the CMWC in 2006 in Sydney, Australia, but achieved his best results the following year in Dublin, Ireland when he won a CBD race, was second in the uphill sprints and came eighth in a 1km drag race.

In 2008, in Toronto, Canada, Phillips won a side event race and in 2009 in Tokyo, Japan, he reached the semi-finals of the sprint competition. Phillips is well known on the growing local street racing and fixed gear scene, regularly scoring top three positions.

“My trips to CMWCs are all self-funded with help from my sponsors, Cathay Pacific, Customs Solutions and Pane & Vino restaurant.”

The 19th annual Cycle Messengers World Championships begin on July 28, 2011 in Warsaw, Poland. More information can be found at www.warsawcarkillers.org.