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  • The cycling commute

    I just about managed to keep up my goal of cycling to work (around 24 km each way) at least once a month, after finding a nice route back along the bicycle “Autobahn” through the ex Spinelli barracks in Mannheim, adding a few more photos to my commute collection on the way.

    A tall, modern apartment building stands against a clear blue sky, framed by leafless trees.A tall, concrete structure features a sticker or plaque that says LOVE WALADOO HATE RACISM against a blue sky background.A concrete overpass with a distinct triangular section is situated above railway tracks against a clear blue sky.A winding road passes through lush green fields, lined with trees, under a partly cloudy sky with distant hills in the background.Two fluffy, brown Highland cows graze near a bushy, green area with trees in the background.A metal bridge with graffiti spans over a river, with trees and clouds in the background.A barge is navigating through a canal lock surrounded by buildings and greenery.A metal bridge with a crisscross design stands against a cloudy sky, with greenery visible in the background.A series of tall, industrial-style structures stand over a canal, with bridges and railings connecting them under a cloudy sky.A winding path leads through grassy fields towards a cable-stayed bridge with a tall tower visible in the background.A small bird stands in a field of tall, dry grasses next to a set of stone steps.A pedestrian suspension bridge with graffiti on its pillar is set against a backdrop of modern buildings and a grassy area.A cable-stayed bridge structure is framed against a clear blue sky with several buildings and a tree visible in the background.A series of cables radiate outward from a central mast against a clear blue sky.A tall suspension bridge structure with cables radiating from a central pillar is set against a clear blue sky, with a building visible in the background.A calm river reflects the clear blue sky and surrounding buildings at dusk.A tranquil riverside scene at sunset features a tall tower and bridge against a backdrop of clouds and a colorful sky.

    It’s not all idyllic, but I can ride pretty much the whole way on cycle paths with this route, though on the final stretch, I made a detour away from a cycle route running along a loud main road. It’s great to have the option of doing this, along with the tram, or the folding bike and train… though they all take significantly longer than the car, or - naturally - working from home…

    → 7:38 PM, May 28

  • I cycled

    Somehow, I managed a 50 km cycle today, over two stints: to work, and back. I definitely struggle on the ride back, after a normal day at work, and (whilst probably only marginally) back upstream along the Neckar.

    Still, Ladenburg is always a welcome sight: my photo was rubbish in the end, though, since I moved the phone whilst it was still taking the night-time shot. Kind of arty, but pointlessly so. The cloud layer over the illuminated water tower could almost (well, not at all) have been an aurora.

    → 9:40 PM, Nov 11

  • Most effective cycling

    Great to see the Global Cycling Network (GCN) - predominantly a sports bike channel in the past - really taking on motonormativity on their YouTube channel

    GCN would really have been John Forester’s channel, his tribe - experts in lycra on fast bikes, as The War On Cars pointed out recently - but they’re taking a broader stance on bike transport now, and it’s good!

    → 10:30 PM, Jul 27

  • Looking sideways

    Travel often doesn’t happen quickly enough, even if you’re travelling fast. Often it’s a case of losing perspective, losing the perception of speed. We all know it from driving on the Autobahn - our brains trick us into feeling that overtaking lots of cars slowly in a traffic jam is swifter or more effective than cruising along at the same 140 kmh speed. Similarly, sitting in a train with others in a carriage is torture for me - there is no feeling of progress.

    I had this feeling recently when cycling home from work one pleasant evening (weather-wise, at least: work-wise it had been a crappy day) and suddenly felt that I wasn’t proceeding fast enough. It was creating a tension: I wanted to be on my bike, pedalling away my stresses from work - yet, I wanted to be at home straight away, knowing that I would then be in the vortex of kiddy dinner times and puttings to bed.

    Then I looked sideways. My shadow was fair flying over the fields between Eppelheim and Grenzhof. Looking sideways radically changed my perspective. I was no longer monitoring the imperceptible angle and distance changes of the road ahead, but seeing the turned soil and the remaining maize stalks sweep my complete field of view in sub-second times. I was experiencing speed again (yes, I wish to reclaim this word) - and it was refreshing.

    → 6:07 PM, May 11

  • Daydreaming and winning

    Source: Getty Images via BBC
    I'm certainly succumbing to the elation surrounding Bradley Wiggins' current lead in the Tour de France; he's looking like becoming a great winner as part of an amazing team. What sums it up for me is the photo of him slipping into a winning reverie as his colleague Chris Froome drives them both up to the mountaintop finish at Peyragude. Such daydreaming can be fatal to a sportsman's chances, but in this case, Froome woke him up again soon enough that he didn't drift off the side of a mountain or simply let the competition drift past him. Nothing is certain until it's over - but it's looking good so far!

    Allez Wiggo!
    → 11:43 AM, Jul 20

  • The Long Way Round


    My cycle to work takes only eight to ten minutes. Usually I need it to be that short in order to get to work at a reasonable hour after the long pre-work rituals of getting everybody's breakfast ready, getting myself into some vague semblance of work-like shape and taking the eldest to Kindergarten.

    But sometimes the commute - to or from work - is simply too quick. Sometimes I feel the need for some sport, for some time to myself between family and colleagues, and for some rather nice scenery. In those cases I ride the long way round.

    Instead of 3 km I ride 13 km, along the Neckar to Edingen, then up into Grenzhof and through the wheat and barley fields to... Well, Eppelheim can't be described as being the nicest place on the planet, but it's still not work, and that's the main thing.

    I noticed that the scenery is nicely varied, and riding it often enough makes me realise how the seasons affect the scenery. So I now try to take a camera with me, stop riding and take some photos as I go. Here are a few, in no particular order or camera (some noticeable mobile phone shots in there, too!).



























    → 10:21 PM, Mar 4
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