biking around Ramstein 

The eagle has landed...

I'm back in Deutschland for six months!  Although I'm here for work, recreation awaits!  And since it's the warm season, a bicycle will be a great way to cover lots of ground while still experiencing the sights, smells, and sounds of this unique country. 

I couldn't take my trusty Cannondale road bicycle with me--which initially was a disappointment.  It was my first road bike.  With it I logged hundreds of miles on Germany's pristine pavement, assured by the safety of this country's generous bike lanes and obedient drivers.  Sheridan and I even did a 5-day tour along the Moselle.  It was sublime, and the Cannondale performed flawlessly.  But given my limited stay and the expense of shipping, purchasing a new bike made more sense this time around.  And this time, I did not want another road bike. 

Even though Germany has fantastic drivers who observe the rules of the road and generally grant cyclists the right of safe passage (pretty much the opposite of my experience in the US),  I wanted the ability to go off road.  It's nice to not worry about becoming a Mercedes-Benz hood ornament.  Yes the pavement here is like glass and you can get quite the adrenaline rush hitting 50kph going downhill in full-tuck.  But Germany also has abundant bike trails that wind through forests, farmlands and even the occasional ruins of a cold-war munitions depot.  Western Europe is littered with military ruins.  The only thing you need to reach them is a bike that wont hammer your spine or blow a tire going over modest bumps.  

Enter the Kona Rove AL.  At first glance you might think this is a road bicycle.  I mean, look at those drop-bars.  It also has a rigid frame (i.e. no suspension).  But this steed's got stuff to make it go where my Cannondale would not go.  What kind of stuff?  Well, it's got wider, softer tires that soak up vibrations and provide traction; disc brakes that work in the wet; and a heavy aluminium frame for haulin' all kinds of badass adventure shit.  Gnarly, bruh.

Most of the magic is in the wide tires.  I tested them this weekend on a variety of terrain.  Pavement, cobblestones, loose gravel, dirt, even a little sand (they did not like the sand, but who does?)  Positive marks.  Don't get me wrong, I plan to log plenty of miles on pavement.  In fact, I'm daydreaming about the Moselle in Summer, touring from vineyard to vineyard and staying in B&B's along the way.  Until then there's plenty of trails in/around Ramstein (where I'm staying) to keep me occupied.  Here's some photos from my maiden jaunt.