4:00 my alarm clock rings- and that's after I couldn't fall asleep until 1.00 a.m. anyway. Stupid, but I've resolved to go through with it - in the truest sense of the word.
After I had already completed my personal 4-lake challenge last year with the circumnavigation of four of our wonderful Upper Bavarian lakes on four consecutive days. Lakes Staffelsee, Kochelsee, Walchensee and Tegernsee. This time it was to be a slightly longer stage on one of our three large lakes here in the Munich area. The Ammersee. I measured it out on google maps and came up with a pretty accurate 38 kilometres of coastline. You always cycle at a certain distance from the shore - but it should never be more than 20-30 metres, otherwise it's not a real circumnavigation ;-).
So I get up shortly after 5I arrived at the Steinlechner boatyard at my starting point for the tour. The plan was actually to find a mirror-smooth lake early in the morning - but it wasn't to be. It was already raining on the motorway on the way there from Munich. And apparently a storm front had passed over the lake shortly beforehand. It was choppy - not very choppy, but just choppy enough to make it not easy to glide along on the 23 Allstar from Starboard. My photo colleague and friend Stephan Gölnitz from SUP-Mag has also arrived in the meantime. He kindly agreed to accompany me for the first few kilometres and take a few atmospheric pictures in the morning light.
My AllstarI modified it a bit the day before. From a thoroughbred raceboard to a nippy touring racer. Well... I just stuck a luggage net on it. So that at least a change of clothes can be safely stowed on the board. Otherwise the stuff is always in the way between your feet. Also Camelbak with 2 litres of water, two bananas and a few muesli bars.
We set off shortly before 6am.Anti-clockwise in the direction of Dießen. Unfortunately with a slight headwind from the left in front and consequently a bit of swell from diagonally in front. That doesn't make it any easier. Stephan takes a few quick pictures of the start before we really get going.
It doesn't take long and I hear a splash and swearing behind me. Stephan was knocked off his board. It was pretty close for me a few times too, but I always just managed to get round the swim. Training with the balance board in the garden seems to be paying off. In Dießen it's finally getting quieter. And Stephan and I part ways again. Stephan sets off on his way back and I continue on my circular route. The Ammersee-Südufer bird sanctuary is located on the southern shore. Here you have to keep a distance of a little more than 20-30 metres. You are not allowed to drive in here and this should definitely be respected.
It's going well.My shoulder isn't bothering me, my back is also cooperating, so I carry on. My destination is Herrschinger Bucht. I want to take a short break here. I arrive after about 3 hours. But things are going so well that I decide to continue to Breitbrunn, where a short break is really necessary. 25km... OK. That's about the distance around the Walchensee. I've already done this loop twice in the past - but I was pretty exhausted afterwards. But I'm still doing well today. After two bananas and a few muesli bars, my body comes back to life. So on to the last stage - final spurt towards Inning, past the source of the Amper and slowly back towards the starting point.
After another 12 kmit's done. I covered 37 kilometres. 5 ½ hours of pure paddling time. That's a good average for me, as it wasn't supposed to be a race. But I wanted to get round quickly. Completely satisfied, I pack my board back on the roof and drive home - this time completely exhausted - where the lack of sleep from the previous night is immediately noticeable. First of all, 4 hours on the sofa - just right.
Conclusion: Awesome. The next lake can come.There are still two larger ones ;-)
