1300k along three rivers in Germany and Czechi

The Bavarian Triathlete Michael Lorenz can recommend a varied bike package: Along the Saale to its mouth to the Elbe further upstream via Dresden to Theresienstadt, from there the Eurovelo 6 cycle path to the source.

Saaleradweg: hot and mountainous

Already the journey and thus the start stage was the sticking point. Would everything go well? Lorenz ’bike weighed 40 kg on a truck scale in Creussen- without water and food supplies. Freeded Lorenz after 115 km and 1600 meters of altitude at 1051m over on the Schneeberg. From there, there were three heat stages along the Saale, via the courtyard through Thuringia to Saxony-Anhalt to the mouth of the Elbe. On the fifth stage day, the runner treated himself to a day break and a large pizza in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Naumburg, especially since heat and gradients, on the Rennsteig, for example. The athlete visited the nature reserves upper and lower Saale. Reservoirs ("Thuringian Meer") and relief are reminiscent of Norway, the "Romantic Street" in front of Bernburg provides a foretaste of Martin Luther's workshops. Despite low water, most of the ferries took place and the first section was successful with the crossing of the Elbe.

The Laufer Michael Lorenz at his starting stage after 100 day kilometers on Lake Fichtel. 15 kilometers are still missing except for the Schneeberg. Photo: private.

Elberadweg: windy and flat

Not only Wittenberg is on the way on the Elbe to Dresden, but also Torgau after Dessau (Aunt Ju, Grandius). Here on April 23, 1945, spy teams from the US and Red Army met and closed peace by hand. It was learned from the locals that many members of the NSDAP were detained in penalty camps by the sovjets. Some traces are still missing from some, according to the local people. Four stages followed well over 100 daily kilometers. Dresden would have been nice, the second sub-goal, said Lorenz, but sports and cultural trips are not really compatible. The entry into the Czech Republic was nice, since the almost perfectly signposted cycle paths are not fully busy, but hardly driven on. A detailed map and a "Naviapp" is not necessary in the Czech Republic, the signage leads into the picturesque elbow cities of Decin and Tercien. Heat and headwind, on the other hand, provided plenty of challenges

Along the Eger on the Eurovelo 6

Here in Theresienstadt the concentration camp memorial was paid for a short visit. However, the studied psychology (Univ.) Met their conductor on site on their also on site. There was talk of Sarajevo, the historical background and the consequences to today, about trauma of Holocaust survivors, survivors and relatives. Rational explanations? Due. After three beers, however, it ended in a deep sun and the two pushed their bikes home, since the 0.0 per mill border applies in the Czech Republic. Otherwise there is also a risk of driving license withdrawal for cyclists! The next morning it continued a bit along the idyllic Eger, but the course of the route changes to the mountainous as on the Saale, as the bike paths run along the mountainous area and not always along the river. Also in the Czechi, nature and buildings for the hardships and hardships. On the last day, Michael Lorenz drove from Kadan via Karlsbad to Marktdretwitz. From there the athlete took the train back to Lauf.

Beautiful view at the Eger on the end of the final stage shortly before Karlsbad. Photo: private

What's next for the triathlete? After eight successful participation as individual starters in Frankfurt and Nice and a sub9h finish in the season in Roth. Lorenz was used four times in the last late summer within three weeks, had "huge happiness" in good time and also got into the best hands. The man received encouragement from the organizer of the Ostseeman (OM). The Glücksburger met the runner and converted its starting place to next year. Three years ago, he helped a competitor to win and thus to the German championship title with the professionals.

To be in nature along the "three-fluid pathway", to switch off over 1400 kilometers by bike, "backpack" and tent, the mills as well as the suction of everyday life, old town festival, church consecration, RothseeTriathlon and the DATEV Challenge in Roth, in particular, there are no damage, but is liberating for the soul and inspiration ... at the same time the wallet.

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