Breaking with the “rhythm of depression” of sunny workdays followed by rainy weather all weekend, the forecasts predicted sunshine from dawn to dusk for this saturday. Naturally I had to utilize these exceptional conditions so after skipping a year I took up again my tradition of a yearly spring trip to Lake Constance to gauge my form. Already familiar with the shortest distance routes there and back again, I spiced things up this time by adding some roads the routing software refused to choose and even included a section of the Bodensee bike path notorious for hordes of pensioners on weaponized e-bikes.

The result was surprising, as I feld comparatively excellent. No saddle sores worth mention. No cramps. No bonk. Exhilarating climbs. Great mood all day. – Quite the difference from 2021 when I kept struggling with way less demanding rides this time of the year. That two weeks in Florence in winter seem to have made all the difference.

Map: Lake Constance round trip; distance: 235 km, altitude gain: 2515 m.

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