The middle distance of 33m/53km and 5265 vertical ft/1300hm was to be conquered. That shouldn't take long. Fat chance… it took a long time: 4 hours. I couldn't find rhythm to save my life. I had to climb, push and crawl way too often. My annoyed comrade-in-arms: "This is a climbing competition for idiots with bikes on their backs."

Another one said: "Why did I even bring my bike?" But what the hell. It was fun anyway. I like the Palatinate forest and it didn't rain this time either. However, one guy attempted to ride down one of the descents and got his thigh skewered by a branch dislocated his shoulder.

Blutsventje was smarter. He knows his way around here and took the short distance with his Hardtail. Pirate Amilcar from Saarbrücken was there too… and somehow managed to climb faster than I did :(. Two super athletes, who streaked down the embankment behind the control point and got back on the track at the bottom, also attracted attention. Their plan was to "save" themselves a few miles. Enough said!

I look a little disoriented. I'll work on that
Matthias