Gauting to Weilheim

June 9, 2025

A summer tour

It was an on the spur of the moment decision to take a three day jaunt, leaving from the front door. After some stormy weather the past two days, rain and wind, sunny and dry was predicted. When we rode the same route but in the other direction in February the temperatures reached a high of 14C, warm for winter. Today it was 16C when we set out, chilly for summer and not much warmer than in February. But today we had fields of flowers instead of snow on the ground. Yes, it felt like summer and the day warmed up to 20C, perfect temperature for cycling.

My panniers were worrisomely empty, what did I forget this time? But for the three days I didn't need to pack much and so far nothing is missing. Nevertheless, I felt the weight and had to shift down from my usual gears.

There aren't too many surprises along the way when you leave from the front door. We expected the construction site in Königswiesen and looked forward to seeing the sweet little chapel Herrgottsruh in the forest. The fountain with boots as flower pots for succulents in Hadorf was the same as the last time we passed through, too. We were enjoying our familiar roads.

Railroad underpass construction site at Königswiesen, bikes and pedestrians are still allowed through thank goodness.

A little broom is always there to keep the place tidy.

Peaceful surroundings, a balm for body and soul

Lovely avenue of linden trees, beautiful in all seasons

Boy with flute and boots with succulents

I wonder whose idea it was to use these boots as planters.

The church at Kloster Andechs has an amazing interior, a highlight of Bavarian baroque. We didn't ride up the steep hill to visit it nor did we stop at the monastery beer garden. It was probably overflowing today since today is a holiday.

Peaceful countryside in the plane of Ammersee, Bavaria's third largest lake.

In the distance I saw the Raisting radome and we sponteously changed course and departed from our planned route to visit it.

"The large white dome and the neighbouring parabolic antennas still look like a piece of science fiction in the middle of the Alpine foothills, but they are already history: Antenna I of the Raisting earth station, better known as RADOM Raisting (from the English radar dome), which was erected in 1963, was decommissioned in 1985. Today, the facility is one of Germany's monuments of national importance, as it is considered the cradle of satellite-based telecommunications in Europe. Among other things, the first moon landing and the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich were transmitted via the parabolic antenna protected by the air dome. A line of the connection known as the "Red Telephone" between the US and Soviet governments during the Cold War was also established via Raisting."

I have a lot of pictures because I find it is such a spectacular sight.

Antennas in the landscape talking to outer space - surreal

After our detour to Raisting we were already quite close to our destination and were also getting hungry. So far we had only had a banana each. Since we were way too early to check in it was a no brainer to stop in a cafe for a little treat. My treat was pretty big. Janos was content with a coffee and a piece of apple cake.

This pretty strawberry roan cantered off as soon as I got my camera out. So you just get to see his behind.

Elderberry bushes line the roads. Their fragrance and the fragrance of roses and freshly mown hay fill the June air.

The main square in old Weilheim, busy on this beautiful holiday. Plenty of cyclists here, too.

I'm just a little embarassed at my indulgence. But it's strawberry season and that comes only once a year.

Here's how it looked in February. There is even a little pile of snow.

Here's what I wrote the last time we stayed at this hotel, Pöltner Hof. It still applies: "The original farm buildings have been beautifully remodeled to hotel rooms and restaurant, while retaining details such as wooden beams or tile floors which gives it a lot of charm."

And Janos has a video for you, including some drone footage.

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Today's ride: 46 km (29 miles)
Total: 46 km (29 miles)

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Susan CarpenterA great first day full of life, wonder and cheer. And a fantastic video - thank you Janos!
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5 days ago

Rich FrasierI love the idea of repeating that winter ride. I love the spontaneity. And I love the pictures, as usual.
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4 days ago

Janos KerteszTo Susan CarpenterThank you, Susan!
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4 days ago