//Day 75 /25-05-22 /Anneheim-Bad Gastein

Wow…day 75…tempus fugit. Last night a thunderstorm went through the valley, a lot of lightning, thunder and shaking of my tent..the tent and I survived but I must say I was happy when the storm headed to other places. I woke around 6.30, a shy sun was enough to dry my wet tent. I packed Black Horse and started riding to the horizon…correction to the mountains. 

My aim today was to cycle to a camping close by the train station of the Tauern tunnel which connect two valley’s (the Möltall and the Gastei valley). The sun disappeared after it has dried my tent and the rest of the day it was grey with often rain….

I’m still on the the Alpe Adria cycle path towards Salzburg which is really beautiful. Most people I met came out of the opposite direction (Salzburg). A lot of organised cycling touring groups, with my 55 years I probably was the puppy on the path…..

The tunnel is located at 1200 meters so most of the day I had to climb. Although  bad weather, the views were great. When I arrived at Mallnitz , where the camping and one side of the tunnel was, it was raining cats and dogs..The camping was empty….and the announced restaurant/shop was closed…I turned around and headed for the train through the tunnel. I waited 30 minutes and stepped on the train which would bring me though the tunnel in 15 minutes. I hoped that at the end of the tunnel the sun would be shining….reality was that it was still raining cats and more dogs. I checked booking and found an (the only) affordable hotel in Bad Gastein, some 5k away. Bad Gastein was/is a spa-ski-resort.  In the 19th century it was fashionable resort visited by the rich and famous which stayed in the Grand hotels build on the hills of the town. Today Bad Gastein is mostly known as ski-resort, the Grand Hotels renovated, new ones build, the town tries to keep up appearances but not sure if it succeeds. The town is also known for a big waterfall.

The hotel I’m staying is such an old Grand Hotel which has been “hipstered-up” ; common work spaces, common kitchen,…most of the guests young worldly  people…(except for me and a lost German motorbike rider…). A nice place. 

Every bar and restaurant in town was closed though. So I was happy to use the common kitchen to prepare the food I bought in the local Spar. I was not the only one in kitchen…..

Tomorrow I will cycle to Salzburg, the weather will improve so I hope I can camp again. I also need to decide which direction I want  to take to get home…..

Lessons learned : 

• A common kitchen is a great way to meet people.
• The sun does not always shine at the end of the tunnel.

Song of today : Step in the room and dance for me - Madrugada