Vattenfall Hamburger Cyclassics 2010

When I was a student in Technical University Hamburg, many of my fellow students prepared themselves and took part in Vattenfall Hamburger Cyclassics. I always thought to take part in such an event, one needs costly sports cycle and more importantly proper fitness to complete 55 Kms. Thanks to my company Werum Software & Systems who sponsored for the employees to take part in this event. I decided to take part in this event with my normal cycle and I did a trial run of 50 kms with my boss across the Elbe river and gained some confidence.

I always considered Hamburg as my second home town. It’s the city which gave me so many new experiences in life and more importantly nice friends and great social life. People talk about New York marathon, Tour De France and so many sportive events which are related to a particular city. Hamburger Cyclassics is one of the biggest Cyclassics event in Europe and I couldn’t find a better event than this to be nostalgic about Hamburg in the future. So I decided to go for it. The local residents near the suburbs of Hamburg through which we made our Bike tour motivated and cheered all the participants by chanting “Ihr Seid Helden” which is something which will stay in my memory forever.

Finally I finished 55 Kms in 2hours and 20 minutes at a rate 24Km/H. My goal was to finish the race. On the way I saw many accidents, some cycles got repaired, some people got tired and exhausted, I am glad that I completed 55 Km for the first time. This is something which I never imagined for in my life when I was young :) There are other ranges of about 100 Km and 150 Km which seems to be impossible now but you never know what’s in store in life :)

Cheers,
Sathish Kumar S

Zugspitze, Top of Germany

Having tasted some great peaks in Swiss, Austria and its time now to reach the highest peak in Germany – Zugspitze. This time I explored this scenic place in Alps with my honey and my school friend Naresh and his wife Srija. First we reached Garmisch-PartenKirschen by ICE, met Naresh and Srija there and climbed up to the top Zugspitze by ZahnRadBahn (Mountain train). It was a pleasant sight to watch from the top and one could get a panoramic view of other peaks nearby and Eibsee, the lake beneath the Zugspitze. Eating Indian Tomato rice on the top of Zugspitze is the highlight of the whole trip :D Travelling by mountain train to reach the Alps peaks is definitely a great experience even though they are unimaginably expensive ;)

Returned from the top of Zugspitze to Eibsee by cable car which was quite different from traveling by train to the top. Spent some time in the lake Eibsee which was very colorful from the top. Then we moved to Neuschwanstein Castle, which was in the voting for Eighth wonder of the world. The drive to Neuschwanstein Castle from Garmisch is a life-time experience with snow capped mountains nearby, lakes spreading across, lush green pastures. Exploring these places by car is an awesome experience since one has a chance to stop at the picturesque locations. The nostalgic days of my University trip to Neuschwanstein during my Master studies was lingering in my mind when I trespassed these beautiful locations.

Relaxingly, we traveled to Bregenz in Austria, the city which lies on the banks of lake Bodensee. Took yet another mountain cable car called (PfänderBahn) to reach the top of Bregenz. One could get a panoramic view of the city of Bregenz from the top. Then we were back to Friedrichshafen and did a boating trip in Bodensee. It was a sudden plan from me and Naresh to dive in to Bodensee. It was awesome experience to swim in the middle of lake and weather was pleasant to swim in the lake and both our wives were just mute spectators ;)

South Germany especially Bavarian Alps, Bodensee is definitely a great experience if you are residing in North Germany. Totally different landscapes and natural beauty when compared to the North which is mostly flat land and bordered by seas. Me and Naresh have traveled a long way together in our life right from our childhood. It was lovely experience to cherish some moments with our wives together. Recollected our school and childhood days and felt nostalgic in Bavarian Alps.

Life is beautiful!
Sathish Kumar S