Vollgepackt mit Taschen machten wir uns mit dem Fahrrad auf den Weg nach Innsbruck zum Naked Indigo auf eine leckere Bowl. Vier Tage lang ging es für Eli, mich und Emma, meine 14-jährige Jack Russell Terrier Hündin, über Schotter und Asphalt. Wie es uns ergangen ist und welche Herausforderungen diese Tour für uns bereithielt, möchte ich euch in diesem Beitrag erzählen.

Preparing for the journey

Meine und Emmas Vorbereitung kann man kurz und knapp zusammenfassen. Für uns ging es bis zum Abfahrtstermin einfach so oft es das Wetter zuließ auf das Fahrrad für eine Runde. Leider war es für dieses Jahr viel zu wenig. Gerade mit Hund kann man sich nicht bei jedem Wetter auf das Rad schwingen. Könnte aber auch einfach nur eine kleine Ausrede meinerseits sein.

Eli hatte sich, wie für jede gemeinsame Aktivität, viel besser vorbereitet. Aber auch er musste mit so manchen Rückschlägen kämpfen. Er hatte sich schon vor Längerem den Wahoo KICKR CORE 2 zugelegt, einen Rollentrainer für das Fahrrad (Werbung). So konnte er auch bei Kälte, Wind und Regen wunderbar das Training zu Hause im Warmen absolvieren. Das Indoortraining hat ihn perfekt auf diese Tour vorbereitet.

Unfortunately, Eli injured his foot during one of his hiking trips, and for a short time, we didn't know if or how we could even go on the tour. Luckily, he was able to put normal weight on his foot again by the time we started cycling. However, one should also keep such setbacks in mind. Even if you prepare thoroughly, unforeseen moments can jeopardise such a tour.

Tour planning

The planning for our tour went just like in previous years. First, we considered where we would go at all this year. Since we choose a restaurant as our destination every year and I would like to cycle through all the federal states with Emma, we chose the Naked Indigo in Innsbruck.

We created our cycling tour using Komoot and then looked for suitable accommodation along the route, as well as shops for provisions. Finally, all that was missing was the luggage. What should we take with us, and what do you actually need for four days?

Das Einzige, was ich wirklich empfehlen kann, ist ein kleines Reparaturset für Notfälle und ein Tubenwaschmittel, falls einmal keine Waschmaschine vorhanden ist. Unsere Devise lautet: Weniger ist mehr. Denkt immer daran, jedes zusätzliche Gewicht, das man mitschleppt, macht die Tour nur anstrengender.

Stage 1: Schwanenstadt to Eugendorf

This stage will of course look different for you, as you will presumably be starting from your home. For us, it first went via Vöcklabruck and St. Georgen to our first stopover in Mondsee. Here we took our first major break after about 50 kilometres.

In diesem Abschnitt war für mich auch ein kleiner Einbruch dabei, wie ich ihn bei jeder Etappe einmal habe. An diesem Tag war es auf der Hauptstraße in Straß im Attergau. Keine Ahnung warum, weil hier keine besondere Steigung ist, aber irgendwie kam ich überhaupt nicht voran.

After our refreshment in Mondsee, we continued to our stage destination in Eugendorf, where a really nice climb awaited us. Luckily, the end was already in sight afterwards, and we arrived at our first hotel, the Landhotel Gschirnwirt.

Stage 2: Eugendorf to St. Johann in Tirol

Advertisement: Just under 84 kilometres and 680 metres of elevation gain lay between us and the Explorer Hotels Kitzbühel. The first ten kilometres that day were very relaxed, as it was mostly downhill at first. Unfortunately, that was it, and now we had to cycle steadily uphill.

While it was a beautiful stage with great cycle paths, I was also genuinely glad when we reached our destination. The Explorer Hotels Kitzbühel is the ideal place to stay during a cycling tour. It is designed for cyclists. Tools and a pump to get everything back in working order, a compartment to safely store bicycles, as well as a washing machine and tumble dryer for clothes are just a small part of the services on offer. So, anyone looking for the perfect hotel for their cycling tour will find it at Explorer Hotels Kitzbühel fündig.

Stage 3: St. Johann to Lake Achen

Der Tag, der mich schon seit der Planung etwas gestresst hat. Zwar war es eine kürzere Tagestour, aber sie hielt eine kleine Überraschung für uns bereit. Wobei klein und Überraschung etwas falsch ausgedrückt sind. Die letzten fünf Kilometer ging es etwa 500 Höhenmeter hinauf zum Achensee. Warum es auch keine Überraschung war? Naja, wir haben es schließlich so geplant.

Jetzt kann ich sagen, oben war es zwar wunderschön, aber der Weg dorthin ist die Hölle auf Erden. Die ersten drei Kilometer schaffte ich mit dem zusätzlichen Gewicht von Emma und unserem Gepäck noch. Hier waren es stellenweise 11 Prozent Steigung. Doch die letzten zwei Kilometer hatte ich keine Chance mehr. Zu wenig Training und Vorbereitung, zu viel Gewicht und Steigung mit bis zu 17 Prozent.

Advertising: But after I saw the hotel, it was all worth it. The Arthurs Achensee was a beautiful place to stay. The rooms were really nice, the staff friendly, and right in the adjoining building was a pizzeria where we could celebrate our day's achievements with delicious food. The breakfast also deserves a positive mention. Nothing was missing here. The only thing to note: dogs are unfortunately not allowed in the breakfast room.

Stage 4: Achensee to Innsbruck

Der letzte Tag der Tour und nur mehr knapp 35 Kilometer. Zuerst gab es noch einen Zwischenstopp beim Achensee. Den mussten wir uns natürlich auch ansehen. Danach folgte eine fünf Kilometer lange Abfahrt und das war die steilste Abfahrt, die ich mit Hund und Gepäck bis jetzt gefahren bin. Ich muss ehrlich sagen, ich hatte ein richtig ungutes Gefühl dabei.

Ansonsten war dieser Tag relativ ruhig und entspannt. Wir mussten es nur pünktlich zum Naked Indigo schaffen, da wir um 14:15 Uhr unseren Zug für die Rückfahrt gebucht hatten. Achtung, Spoiler-Alert: Wir haben es geschafft. Für uns gab es noch eine leckere Bowl und anschließend eine längere Zugfahrt zurück in die Heimat.

Conclusion to the trip

Für mich war es die schönste Radtour, die ich mit Eli bis jetzt gemacht habe und ich glaube, da stimmt er mir zu. Der Großteil der Tour führte über großartige Radwege. Die Natur beziehungsweise die Landschaft auf dieser Strecke war einfach nur wunderschön.

Selbst die Unterkünfte waren dieses Jahr ein kleines Highlight. Alle Hotels waren richtig schön und überall wurden wir herzlich aufgenommen. Außerdem waren alle sehr hundefreundlich, was für mich immer ein wichtiger Punkt ist.

Mein absolutes Highlight war aber der Weg hinauf zum Achensee. Zwar war es das Schlimmste, was ich mit dem Rad und Emma je gefahren bin, aber trotzdem ein unvergesslich schönes Erlebnis. Ich kann nur sagen, es war wieder einmal eine gelungene Tour und ich bin schon gespannt, wo es nächstes Jahr für uns hingeht.

Our Komoot tour to copy

Further recommendation

Did you like this post? Then I have another great hiking tip for you! Have a read here: Dreamy spots in the Salzkammergut: the Ödseen lakes in Grünau im Almtal

Der Beitrag Radtour: Mit dem Fahrrad von Schwanenstadt nach Innsbruck erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.

Every year around the end of April / beginning of May, the car-free cycling experience day takes place at Attersee. On this day, the Attersee will be completely closed to motor vehicles for a whole day from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, and you can fully enjoy the circular route around the Attersee by bicycle.

It is not for nothing that this day is also very busy, as everyone wants to enjoy the fantastic panorama by bicycle without getting into a dangerous situation with cars. It is also the perfect opportunity for families with small children.

Incidentally, if you don't want to suffer a cold start after the winter break, the Wahoo Kickr is the perfect preparation. I rode my bike indoors regularly over the winter and was able to thoroughly enjoy the Attersee circuit. The onboard computer in the video is also from Wahoo (ELEMNT Ace). You can find the equipment here: Wahoo Kickr Core 2 (Advertisement)
You can find my contribution to the installation and my personal impressions here: How I stay fit in winter – My training with the Wahoo KICKR Core 2

You should also check out my short Reel from the car-free cycling experience day on Instagram

Getting there and parking for the car-free cycling experience day on Lake Attersee

It is generally recommended to travel by public transport. However, for those who wish to travel by car, there are various parking options around the lake. Please note that the road around the lake is closed, but parking outside is still possible (Weißenbach, Unterach, Seewalchen, Schörfling...).

We personally usually park in the Eurospar car park right in Seewalchen, which gets filled up very quickly, however. Alternatively, you could park a bit further away and form carpools.

Check out public transport right here:

Car-free day at Lake Attersee

The car-free cycling event is always a highlight. I'm totally captivated by this event. There's nothing but good cheer here, and if the weather plays along, the panorama and the view are simply fantastic.

We usually start off with an onion outfit, which we then have to gradually take off as the sun is already very strong at the end of April. Plus, moving around also makes you sweat quite a bit.

Those who want to start later can also do so, as the lake is closed until 4:30 PM and can be enjoyed at a leisurely pace.

However, caution is advised as many cyclists and children are out and about.

Unfortunately, there is no one-way system, which means that occasionally there can be oncoming traffic. The recommended direction is anti-clockwise.

Key details of the bike tour

approx. 48 km
approx. 250 hm
Bathing facilities
Public toilets
Plenty of places to eat/stop
Please watch out for other cyclists and oncoming traffic

My conclusion on the car-free cycling experience day at Lake Attersee

I am delighted every year by the great organisation and the opportunity to cycle around the lake without cars. Shall I see you next year?

My tips for car-free cycling day

Starting early is worthwhile (the official start is at 09:30).
Take enough provisions to enjoy your breaks
Have some cash on you (for the labs).
Check the bike beforehand
Don't forget to bring sunscreen.

Further recommendation

Did you enjoy the post? Then I have another great tip for you! Have a read here: Hike to the Katzenstein peaks directly on the Laudachsee in the Salzkammergut

Der Beitrag Autofreier Rad-Erlebnistag am Attersee im Salzkammergut erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.

Every year, we plan a longer cycle tour with muats drawig, where Michael and his dog Emma are always at the start. This year we are also planning a short 300 km tour from Upper Austria to Tyrol. The Wahoo setup was the ideal way to prepare for this, but also to make my training more varied in general. As a runner, it is also important to add variety to my training programme.

Advertising: I was provided with the setup by Wahoo. However, this in no way influences the honest reporting and my impressions of indoor cycling.

In this article, I would like to tell you about the setup and integration into my everyday life. By the way, the Wahoo KICKR Core 2 is currently on offer for just € 399.99 incl. 11-speed cassette or with the ZWIFT Cog instead of € 549.99. You can find it directly at here.

Structure of the Wahoo KICKR Core 2

To be honest, setting up the KICKR Core 2 was child's play. My setup consists of the Wahoo KICKR Core 2 roller trainer, the Wahoo support mat and the Wahoo ELEMNT ACE bike computer.

The assembly of the trainer was really only a matter of fitting the legs. An Allen key was all that was needed to install the board computer and it fitted perfectly on the handlebars. The connection between the roller trainer and the ELEMNT ACE board computer worked relatively quickly with the Wahoo app on the smartphone. A WLAN connection is also required for this.

Once everything was assembled, all that remained was to clamp the bike - if you are unsure how to do this, you should definitely watch a YouTube tutorial on how to dismount and remount a rear wheel. This is easier than you might think.

In addition to adapters, Wahoo also supplies a quick-release axle if this is required - otherwise you can also use the bike's own thru axle, as in my case, without any problems.

ZWIFT Cog and Click

My Wahoo KICKR Core was provided to me with an 11-speed cassette. However, my bike with the electronic SRAM gear system has 12 gears and therefore a 12-speed cassette. Now I had to think about how I wanted to deal with this. I'm also not particularly technically minded when it comes to bikes and had to do a lot of research first. One thing first: it's really nothing tragic. If a layman like me can manage it, then you can do it easily.

I could have used the 11-speed cassette in middle gear and controlled the resistance purely electrically with my board computer - that would have worked really well. However, as I'm a bit of a monk, I didn't want to do this and weighed up what made more sense for me personally.

Constantly changing the cassette on the bike was out of the question for me. Buying a 12-speed cassette, including a new freehub, which would have been necessary for SRAM, would have cost me around € 200 and then I would have the problem that another bike probably wouldn't fit on it either.

Long story short: In the end, I decided in favour of the ZWIFT Cog incl. Click. After trying out a few apps with the 11-speed cassette, I took a liking to ZWIFT and bought for € 49.99 the conversion kit incl. Click shifting, app-controlled shifting, which is simulated. However, you can also order the Wahoo KICKR Core 2 with the ZWIFT Cog - then you don't have the hassle of retrofitting.

The kit came with the necessary tools and its own freewheel, which is why it can now be easily converted back to the cassette setup.

Despite the ZWIFT Cog, I can still ride without the ZWIFT app and purely with my onboard computer, controlling the KICKR Core through it. This makes it a perfect solution for my setup.

Why indoor training in winter?

The winter of 2025/2026 was colder and icier than it has been for a long time. I had to cancel a few runs because it was far too dangerous. I also didn't want to go without anything over the winter, so it quickly became clear to me that I needed an indoor bike setup. The most sensible solution for my training volume was therefore the KICKR Core 2 – because I can quickly set up my Trek gravel bike on it at any time, and it also fits into any flat in terms of space. The trainer now adorns my office and helps me to keep fit on the bike even in winter.

Combination with apps such as ZWIFT, Wahoo or Rouvy

So basically no app is necessary. With the ELEMNT ACE training purely with the bike computer is possible and absolutely sufficient. Even with the ZWIFT Cog.

But as I'm also a fan of gamification, I tried out a few apps. Almost all apps are now compatible with the ZWIFT Cog's Click remote control - which is great, because then you're not tied to a specific app even after the conversion.

I personally enjoyed the playful world of ZWIFT, but I also understand the argument that the more realistic alternative Rouvy is also very popular. In the end, the decision was made in favour of ZWIFT, as it also supports running on a treadmill - even without a ZWIFT-compatible treadmill, purely with the Apple Watch, also possible with Garmin, etc.

Use without app with the ELEMNT ACE board / bike computer

As mentioned above, an app is not necessary. So this is also purely with the board computer.

Both the apps and the board computer are compatible with Apple Health - which is absolutely important to me - and transfer this data seamlessly. Both versions are also compatible with Strava.

The on-board computer also makes perfect sense, as you can also use it outdoors. It is connected to the smartphone, which allows you to control the music on the one hand, but also enables navigation thanks to the built-in GPS. At the end of the outdoor ride, everything is also transferred to the health apps.

My impression after 2 weeks of practical testing

I'm absolutely thrilled. After just two weeks, I've already cycled 200 km on ZWIFT as a runner, and I've taken to it so much that I often just hop on the bike for an hour in the evening to switch off. The gamification really drives you to train a bit harder, as the hills and gradients are simulated so extremely well, and you can relatively quickly switch from a relaxed mode in your head to a challenge mode. It's really a lot of fun!

Realistic feeling on the KICKR Core 2

What is particularly noteworthy is the outstanding quality. On the one hand, the setup is of very high quality, and on the other hand, the seamless interaction with all devices and apps is simply impressive. Then there's the realistic rolling resistance, which gives you the feeling of a real road, and as soon as there's a small hill in an app, you think you're cycling up a real mountain with real elevation gain. You can't simulate a bike ride any better than this at the moment.

My plans for the coming year

I'll definitely be integrating the training into my daily routine. Even when the weather improves again in the summer and cycling outdoors becomes possible, I'm sure there will be days when I'll get on my Wahoo KICKR Core 2 and do a session indoors. Bad weather also won't stop me from cycling anymore. Running is possible in any weather, but when it comes to cycling, I'm a classic fair-weather rider.

I'll keep you up to date on how the training is going and I'll also find out how well I was able to prepare myself when I report on the bike tour.

Der Beitrag So halte ich mich im Winter fit – Mein Training mit dem Wahoo KICKR Core 2 und der ZWIFT App erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.

Muats drawig has had a mission since it was founded: to inspire and bring people out into beautiful Austria with all its great excursion and hiking opportunities. This mission is still the same and nothing will change. What will change, however, is the commitment to only mention businesses, excursion tips and leisure activities that are either 100 % vegan and actively avoid animal suffering, or offer vegan options (e.g. at restaurants) from 2026. In doing so, we are taking the step of providing high-quality contributions and actively doing something for animal welfare.

True to the motto: excursion tips for everyone - without any animal suffering!

Why I'm opting for a vegan leisure blog

There is really only one motive here: I don't want to be a multiplier for non-vegan choices. In future, there will still be great tips for excursions, hiking trails, sports experiences and events - just without mentioning establishments that don't offer plant-based options. For example, I will no longer mention places to stop for refreshments by name in hiking articles if they do not offer vegan options. Of course, this does not change the usual quality of the hiking contributions.

My promise: high-quality contributions for hikes

You will continue to find inspiring hikes and impressive nature experiences on muats drawig in the future. This promise also applies regardless of whether there may be grazing cattle along the way - as is unfortunately far too often the case. If a hiking trail leads through an area with mountain pastures, this will of course be mentioned clearly and transparently. The use of such paths does not automatically mean support for this form of animal husbandry - the focus is on experiencing nature.

What will change for you?

Honestly, nothing. In fact, the last posts have already developed in this direction anyway. Old contributions are gradually being adapted to ensure future quality.

What remains the same for you?

The blog remains a leisure blog - just more consciously. You can continue to look forward to great excursion tips, hiking tours and authentic experiences. The usual quality and honest reporting will of course be retained.

Questions & answers about the new way of muats drawig

- Will you explicitly mention vegan restaurants?
Yes, absolutely! The aim is to make such companies more visible.

- What about old contributions?
These will be gradually revised or completely removed - please support me and contact me if you find an old post with a non-vegan recommendation.

- How do you deal with collaborations?
Co-operations will also be a focus of muats drawig in the future in order to be able to continue to offer the blog at least to cover costs. If you are interested in a co-operation, please contact me!

- What if readers have animal-friendly tips?
Keep them coming! It's relatively easy for me to spontaneously travel to Upper Austria, get a picture of it and write a report. There is also the opportunity to post guest contributions from the community. So if you would like to write a blog post, please get in touch with me!

My personal conclusion on this step

This step is a clear statement. For me, there is no argument in favour of continuing to post leisure activities on my blog as a vegan - just for the sake of excursion tips - that may promote businesses that do not offer plant-based options or even cause animal suffering. Austria and its nature have so much to offer - that should remain the focus.

Further recommendation

Did you like this article? Then I have another great recommendation for you! Have a read here: As a vegan, you must know this restaurant: Helis Restaurant in Vöcklabruck

Der Beitrag Der Freizeitblog muats drawig wird vegan! erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.

Long awaited and now finally done: my first marathon! I wanted to take part in the 3-country marathon last year, but a bad cold put a spanner in the works. Unfortunately, I was also ill again at the Vienna Marathon in spring 2024. But this time everything just fell into place! Fit and healthy, I stood at the starting line in Lindau full of euphoria and could hardly wait to get going.

Travel and accommodation for the 3-country marathon

This time we decided to travel by car, as we wouldn't have been home until midnight on Sunday if we had travelled by train. We arrived relaxed by car in Dornbirn on Friday evening, where we stayed overnight until Sunday. The connection to Bregenz by train was uncomplicated: We were there in about ten minutes to pick up our race number on Saturday and get to Lindau for the marathon start on Sunday.

Race number distribution and pasta party in Bregenz

You could easily pick up your race number at the Festspielhaus Bregenz on Friday, Saturday and even on Sunday morning. There was also a sports fair on site as well as a cosy pasta party for the runners. Anyone who had ordered a T-shirt when purchasing their ticket could also pick it up directly. The fair offered a large selection of sporting goods and I spontaneously bought a race number belt so that I could run with my running rucksack and a jacket - it was going to be a bit chilly.

My training plan for the 3-country marathon

To be honest, my participation in the 3-country marathon was rather spontaneous. Although I really wanted to take part at the beginning of the year, I put off registering for a long time. I then ran a relaxed ultramarathon in the summer (you can find the report here) and I've been training in streak running since September. As I want to compete in the Backyard Ultra again on 2 November and my goal is at least 70 km, I decided without further ado to simply use the 3-country marathon as a test event for the ultra. I configured my Garmin accordingly for the ultra marathon, added the Lake Constance run as an intermediate stage - and there I was at the marathon start on Lindau Island. In short: I was prepared, but I didn't have any specific marathon training for time.

An unforgettable experience: the 3-country marathon

Guys, I'm telling you: The marathon was simply brilliant! My target time was 3:30, so I set a pace of 4:50 per kilometre right at the start. The tactic was to run between 4:50 and 4:55 for as long as possible. If my energy levels dropped at the end, I could then run to the finish relaxed at a pace of 5:00 to 5:15 - and still achieve the time. And what can I say? It worked! I crossed the finish line with a final time of 3:29:10.

On the way, I noticed that another runner was running almost exactly my pace. After kilometre 19, we spoke briefly and introduced ourselves: Tobias and I decided to push each other and stick to our tactics. Unofficially, we took it in turns to run to the refreshment stations, each of us only targeting every second one. The person who paused briefly then had the incentive to catch up again.

Unfortunately, our team string broke at kilometre 35 and Tobias ran a few metres ahead. In the end, he reached the finish at around 3:27 and was waiting for me there. Hats off to his fantastic performance!

The route itself is also a highlight: the view of Lake Constance and the people along the route made the run entertaining and really fun. And how often can you claim to have run through three countries?

„Eli, well, I couldn't do that.“

Eli, I couldn't live vegan. Eli, I could never study alongside my full-time job. Eli, I could never run like you (I'm only a hobby runner myself). And anyway, where do you get your time from?

This is all bullshit, of course. Of course you can - if you really want to. It just takes a lot of work, discipline and the ability to push through when others would give up. However, there is of course no miracle cure.

And the time? Of course you have time and you know that - you just have to make the most of it. Even if you sleep for 8 hours, you still have 16 hours that you simply have to organise optimally. (PS: if you are interested in audiobooks I can offer you „Can't Hurt Me - David Goggins“ or „Be Useful - Arnold Schwarzenegger“ on Audible in connection with self-discipline and overcoming personal limits). Get your free Audible trial month here.

Three years ago, I weighed 25 kilos more and could barely run 2 kilometres in under 25 minutes. Of course, I still have my first running record: just over 2 km at a pace of 12:30 minutes per kilometre. And now? After a lot of sweat and blood, I crossed the finish line in Bregenz in an absolutely fantastic time for me.

My equipment for the 3-country marathon

 Running shoes: ASICS - Magic Speed 2 (you can find the shoe here)
 Running shirtLenzing TENCEL running shirt (one of a kind, not available in stores)
 Running trousersNike Retro (model unfortunately no longer available)
 Running rucksack: Salomon - Sense Pro 2 (A bit older, but you can find a similar model here)
 Iso drink: Dextro Energy Iso Fast (I had it in the bottles in my running rucksack)
 Headphones: Apple AirPods Pro 2 (you can find the headphones here)
 Running watch: Garmin Forerunner 965 (you can find the watch here)

Summary of the 3-country marathon on Lake Constance

The 3-country marathon was an incredible experience! The route, the atmosphere and the challenge of running through three countries made this day unforgettable for me. I am proud to have reached my target time and to have collected many wonderful memories. One thing is for sure: we'll see each other again!

All photos in the article by Michael Wunsch

Further recommendation

If you are interested in other runs, then be sure to check out my report ,Austria Back Yard Ultra in Kirchdorf in Tirol - My first Ultra‘ pure.

Der Beitrag Mein erster Marathon – der 3-Länder-Marathon am Bodensee erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.

Krumlov or Český Krumlov had been on our bucket list for a while – mainly because this place is known for its wonderful Christmas market. It's not Advent yet, but we wanted to visit Český Krumlov outside of the peak tourist season (btw. it was still extremely busy – and we were part of these tourist masses). ).

Weekend trip to the Czech Republic

We decided to stay for three days - from Friday to Sunday - and visit this idyllic and historic little town. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't great and was rainy most of the time, which is why we opted for a nicer wellness flat so that we could enjoy our short holiday indoors if necessary.

Of course, we made our rounds in the small town of Český Krumlov and explored the various facets of the historic old town.

Probably the biggest tourist magnet is Český Krumlov Castle. We decided to visit the castle grounds, as they are indeed worth seeing. However, we made a conscious decision not to consume anything here or spend money on a visit to the tower in order to enjoy the Cruel and unnatural keeping of bears in the castle moat cannot be financed. Unfortunately - and this is my biggest minus point about Český Krumlov - people here cling to backward traditions and think that bears in moats are a great idea. A big minus.

Cuisine and food in Krumlov

Czech cuisine is very hearty. I can still remember the traditional Czech dumplings and roast juices from our city trip to Prague a few years ago. We discovered a vegetarian/vegan restaurant at the Christmas market in Český Krumlov last year and as the vegan selection in Krumlov is not really large, we decided to spend our evenings at the Restaurant Laibon in Český Krumlov to spend.

The owner of this great little restaurant is extremely kind and always endeavours to fulfil guests' wishes. The majority of the menu is vegan, the rest mostly vegetarian with the option to make it vegan. It was always very busy and the prices are, in my opinion, normal and similar to prices in Austria (possibly even a little cheaper).

There are also vegan Baumkuchen in some places in Český Krumlov. We naturally treated ourselves to those over two days as well.

Running and hiking in Český Krumlov

As I can't help it and have the urge to run at least a short lap wherever I am, I did the same here. I'm also currently trying my hand at streak running (more information here in the Instagram post), which of course also made it necessary to walk at least one mile.

I quickly adapted an available hiking route via Komoot and turned it into a running route and off we went. Half of the route was in the forest and about the last third was on a footpath and cycle path. I thought the route - on which I met a few mushroom pickers - was really great and have made it available to you below as a Komoot tour.

So if you are ever in Český Krumlov, you can follow this route and even walk it.

My conclusion about Český Krumlov

I love this little town. Even though it is very popular with tourists (just as I was a tourist), there are many ways to enjoy your stay here. Yes, you can even get vegan food and Baumkuchen here - not even in medium-sized towns in Austria.

The Vltava and the running and hiking trails also invite you to explore.

The biggest drawback is actually the outdated thinking that animal cruelty in the castle moat is contemporary. However, this is not meant to spoil the general stay... I simply do not want to support this nonsense.

My Komoot tour to follow

Further recommendation

Did you like this post? Then I have another great hiking tip for you! Have a read here: Hike to the Almkogel: Breathtaking views in the Salzkammergut

Der Beitrag Ausflug nach Český Krumlov – meine Laufrunde erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.

I've been flirting with the running competition format of the Austria Backyard Ultra for a while now. Here you have to complete a distance of around 6.7 kilometres within an hour and be back at the start on time for the next hour. It's not about how fast you are, but how many laps you complete. There is no defined end - the „race“ is over as soon as there is only one runner left. And that can take quite some time.

After 34 hours, the race unfortunately had to be cancelled due to severe weather. I managed an incredible distance of 53.64 km in 8 hours for myself.

Have a look visit the website of the ABU Austria Backyard Ultra - where you can find all the information about this format.

Make sure you take a look at our Instagram reel

 

 

 

 

 

 

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My experience of the ABU Austria Backyard Ultra in Kirchdorf in Tirol

Together with my Team Vegan.at there were eight of us at the event. It was just a mega great experience and as it was my first time, I was trying out what would work best for me. Should I run as slowly as possible at an 8-mile pace or should I go full throttle? That was what I had to find out. As I had my goal of 8 laps in mind, it worked quite well to complete the 6.7 km in around 40-45 minutes so that I could have a short snack break. Hydration and nutrition were particularly important to me, which is why I utilised every break to do just that.

A huge thank you also to the organisers for the incredibly great vegan offer. The spinach dumplings were amazing!

I didn't have any special training or preparation for the ABU Austria Backyard Ultra. I run 3-4 times a week, but I didn't have a special training plan. Nevertheless, I achieved my goal and was able to gain valuable experience.

Key data for the Austria Backyard Ultra in Kirchdorf

Unfortunately, I can't say much about the key dates here, as the distance and duration depend on each participant. There is no fixed end - the run goes on until there is only one person left.

For those travelling from further afield, there were ample accommodation facilities if one wished to stay overnight or arrive the day before. Furthermore, there was the option to set up a small „camp“ in the event hall, which many athletes made use of.

Summary of the Austria Backyard Ultra in Kirchdorf in Tirol

I've enjoyed it immensely and now the bug has bitten. The next 24+1 ABU Austria Backyard Ultra is just around the corner. In November, my goal in Munderfing is to complete 11 laps – that would be about 73.74 km. Michael will also be there for the first time – we'll keep you updated. See you soon, and perhaps we'll see you there!

Der Beitrag Austria Back Yard Ultra in Kirchdorf in Tirol – Mein erster Ultra erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.

We wanted to bring a bit of variety into our everyday lives. Not always go running or hiking, but simply go for a nice bike ride. Our plan was to cycle from Schwanenstadt to Vienna in 4 days to eat a burger at Front Food. Of course, Emma, my Jack Russell Terrier dog, was also at the start and was transported in a basket on the handlebars. In this article, I would like to tell you what the Danube cycle path was like for the three of us and how we got on.

The Danube cycle path - our preparations

 You should definitely have a certain basic level of fitness for such a long tour. You should also do some conscious training beforehand and cover a few kilometres by bike. I neglected this somewhat and of course it was noticeable. Apart from my general problems on longer bike rides lasting several days, such as the pain in my bum every time I sat down from the second day onwards or the pulling in my thighs from the third day onwards. No, on the last day my left knee also hurt enormously.

I could possibly have prevented this pain in my knee and also in my thighs with sufficient training. I can't say that it was due to insufficient preparation, but I would just like to say: always prepare yourself as well as possible for such adventures. Of course, there are people for whom something like this is easily achievable, even in one day. However, these tips are for people like me who don't do sport on a regular basis and need support on such tours.

The planning

Of course, as with any excursion or holiday, a certain amount of planning is required. For our cycle tour, we started by planning where we would get on the Danube cycle path and the best way to get there from home. We then put together a tour via Komoot and now knew what our route would look like.

Next, we had to think about how long we wanted to be on the road and how long our individual stages would be. As I was also taking Emma with me, I didn't want to cycle more than 100 kilometres a day and didn't want to overdo it. The whole tour was around 300 kilometres, so we thought we would cycle an average of around 80 kilometres a day and split the bike trip into 4 days. Of course, this was only a rough initial plan and it always depends on the day.

Step number three for us was to check where accommodation was available along the way and whether there was enough choice. We then decided to book the hotel for the first day as soon as we had planned it and thus decided on the first stage. We then looked for the subsequent accommodation on the respective day. This meant we didn't have to cover a certain distance and could be a little more flexible. If we'd had a bad day or even broken down, we could have looked for accommodation nearby. If we were really fit and wanted to continue after 80 kilometres, we could just keep going. On the whole, it worked pretty well, of course there were always small difficulties, but that's just part of it.

Last but not least, the only thing missing was the luggage, which of course should only contain the bare essentials. I'll write you a little guide for this. This varies slightly for everyone, but you can use it as a guide.

Checklist for a multi-day cycle tour on the Danube cycle path

• Money
• Mobile phone
• Powerbank
• Cosmetic bag (toothbrush & toothpaste, shower gel, deodorant, etc.)
• Bicycle helmet
• Gloves
• 2x cycling outfit (shirt, sports shorts, cycling shorts)
• Sports shoes
• Drinking bottle + magnesium
• Sunglasses
• Sleeves & leg warmers
• Rain jacket
• Bicycle pump
• Repair and first aid kit
• Barrier chain + lock
• Spare tube and cover
• 2x T-shirt
• Shorts
• 3-4 pants
• 3-4 pairs of socks
• Bath slippers

Our extras

For the dog

• Lining
• Treats
• Ceiling
• Drink
• Collar
• Tableware
• Leash

For us

• Camera (Eli and me)
• Drone

The individual stages

Day 1: from Schwanenstadt to St. Magdalena

This stage will of course be different for you, as you will probably start at home. For us, we first cycled for around 30 kilometres along the Traun river on a gravel path to Wels and towards Marchtrenk. The route then led us via Holzhausen and Alkoven to the start of the Danube cycle path. On the first day, we cycled another 20 kilometres or so to St. Magdalena, where our accommodation was located. 

Day 2: from St. Magdalena to Pöchlarn

This was the worst day for me: the last 20 kilometres and the motel where we spent the night were just horrendous. But the majority of this stretch was simply beautiful. You mostly cycle along the Danube for 4 days, but there are always beautiful sections or villages. Like on day 2: Grein and the subsequent ferry ride were definitely a little highlight for me.

Day 3: from Pöchlarn to Tulln an der Donau

For me, it was actually the best day of our cycle tour. We started off by cycling through the Wachau, through beautiful little villages with views of the many vineyards. Then there was a trip on the ferry, which I just loved. A small highlight of the day was cycling past the nuclear power plant in Zwentendorf, which was also interesting to see. 

Day 4: from Tulln on the Danube to Vienna

It was our most leisurely day on the Danube cycle path. Although we only covered around 75 kilometres on the first stage, the following stages were somewhat longer. So we only had just under 40 kilometres left for the last day before we arrived at the Westbahnhof station in Vienna and, after a refreshment stop at Front Food, boarded the next Westbahn train. Once we arrived at the train station in Attnang, we then had to cycle another 10 kilometres home, completing just under 50 kilometres for the day.

The Danube cycle path - my conclusion

This was my third multi-day cycle tour, having already travelled to Italy twice. The Danube cycle path can definitely hold its own here. My idea for this year was a cycling trip with Emma, because I like to experience such adventures with her. Too many gravel paths or too many climbs are not ideal for this. The Danube cycle path was the solution - perfect conditions for experiencing something like this with your darling. But this trip is not only ideal for this constellation. The Danube cycle path is suitable for so many things. A long tour from Passau to Bratislava on a racing bike, a leisurely ride with the children or a nice trip for two.

With this marvellous view, it's simply a pleasure to go for a ride. But it's not just the scenery that makes this tour so great. All the little extras along the Danube cycle path also make this tour so great. Like the ferry rides or the nuclear power plant in Zwentendorf, just to name two. Simply a great experience with physical and emotional ups and downs - they are just part of it. But the best thing was that it worked so well with Emma. A smooth ride on tarmac, she was always in top form, in a good mood and dogs were welcome wherever we took a break. For me, it's clearly already one of my highlights of 2024, and I think Eli really enjoyed it too.

If you are interested in multi-day tours such as the Danube Cycle Path, then you should definitely take a look at the Cycle tour from Salzburg to Jesolo in Italy view.

Der Beitrag Der Donauradweg – von Schwanenstadt nach Wien erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.

A few weeks ago, the new Hausruckwald magazine (summer 2024) „G'schichten vo damois und heid ...“ came out and there were a few cycle tours listed. Of course, I couldn't help but tackle the cycle tour right on my doorstep. I'm generally more of a runner or walker, but there are days when I really enjoy going out on my bike. So without further ado, I got on my bike and off I went. The route is leisurely, relaxing and nice to cycle. 

Do you know the Hausruckwald Magazine? Michael and I are even featured in this issue. Can you find us?

Click here for the Hausruckwald Magazine Summer 2024.

Directions and parking options for the city-country tour from Schwanenstadt

Schwanenstadt is easy to reach by car and there are plenty of parking spaces at the south car park (former Mondo car park).

Schwanenstadt is also easy to reach by public transport, as buses and regional trains as well as the REX stop here.

Check out public transport right here:

Relaxed urban-rural tour: Schwanenstadt, Vöcklabruck, Ungenach, Atzbach, Niederholzham and back 

The tour starts in Schwanenstadt, where I cycled the first stretch along the River Ager. After a while, I passed the quarry ponds (Redlham gravel ponds) and continued my journey via Alt-Attnang to Vöcklabruck.

From Vöcklabruck, the route continues in the direction of Ungenach. Almost the entire route is on paved cycle paths, with only a short stretch of around 500 metres leading through a forest path - which I really wanted to ride because it added a bit of variety to the tour. I then cycled back to Schwanenstadt via Atzbach and Niederholzham.

A small highlight on the way back: just before Niederholzham, I spotted a place-name sign with the name „Kochlöffling“. That just made me smile.

Key data for the city-country tour from Schwanenstadt

If you would like to try out the tour for yourself, here are a few key facts. The route is ideal for a relaxed cycle tour and offers you not only beautiful scenery, but also opportunities to cool off along the way. Particularly practical: the tour is also suitable for children.

Length: 43 km
Altitude metres: 350 hm
Duration: 2:45 hours
Suitable for children
Bathing facilities: At the Ager

ATTENTION: We expressly point out that we accept no liability whatsoever for accidents or potentially closed routes. Please check the availability of the route before cycling and consider your own fitness.

Refreshment stops during the city-country tour from Schwanenstadt

There are plenty of places to stop for refreshments along the tour. However, if you want to take a break for a great lunch, I can highly recommend Helis Organic in Vöcklabruck. Delicious vegetarian/vegan food awaits you there in a cosy atmosphere. You can find a review here: Helis Restaurant in Vöcklabruck.

Summary of the city-country tour from Schwanenstadt

I really enjoyed the tour and love exploring the surroundings of my home. A big thank you to the Hausruckwald tourism association for the great tour and the super magazine – we were very pleased!

Komoot tour to copy

Further recommendation

Did you like this article? Then take a look here too: Cycle tour from Schwanenstadt via the Haager Lies to Stadl Paura

Der Beitrag Schwanenstadt: Stadt-Land Tour mit dem Fahrrad im Hausruckwald erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.

We were able to support a participant a little, accompany her on the Feuerkogel and ask her a few questions after the Traunsee Mountain Marathon 2024. What her preparation was like, how she fared both physically and mentally and what the experience was like for her.

Directions and parking

It is worth mentioning here that whether you are a visitor or a participant, the best option is to come by public transport. The connections for this are marvellous. Take the train to the railway station in Gmunden first. If you are a half-distance participant, you can change trains and continue to Ebensee. If you are a visitor or are starting one of the races in Gmunden, a tram will take you from the railway station directly to Rathausplatz, where the race starts.

Programme and procedure

You could register for four different races, each of which earned my utmost respect. Whether it was one of the two half-mountain marathons, the Raiffeisen overall marathon or the charity hike.

• Raiffeisen overall marathon: 63 kilometres and an incredible 4500 metres in altitude
• Fural half distance Gmunden - Ebensee: 33 kilometres and 2500 metres in altitude
• Innotech half distance Ebensee - Gmunden: 30 kilometres and around 2000 metres in altitude
• Charity hike for a good cause: a boat trip from the town hall square to Altmünster followed by a hike towards Gmundnerberg.

Programme of the Traunsee Mountain Marathon 2024

• 02:40 h Runner briefing for the full marathon - stage area Rathausplatz
• 03:00 h Start for the Raiffeisen overall marathon
• 04:40 h Runner briefing for the Fural half distance - stage area Rathausplatz
• 05:00 a.m. Start Fural Half Marathon
• 08:15 am Runner briefing Innotech Half Marathon - Start/ Finish Ebensee Trauneck
• 10:00 a.m. Start of the charity hike at Rathausplatz Gmunden
• 08:30 a.m. Start Innotech Half Marathon
• from 10:30 am Finish line - the first runners are expected to cross the finish line
• 6:00 pm Award ceremony

Directions and key data

I will only give you a brief insight here. I will list the mountains I know and give you a rough overview of the route. For a more detailed route overview and description of the route, just have a look at the Traunsee Bergmarathon page - here you will find a great overview of the competitions and other information you need for this event. HERE is the route description!

Raiffeisen overall marathon Gmunden - Gmunden

The start was at 03:00 in the morning in Gmunden on the town square, and the finish was set for 19:30. By then, 63 kilometres and 4500 metres of altitude had to be covered.

We started in Gmunden at the town hall square. The first stop led via the Ortnersteig to the Grünberg and on to the Naturfreundesteig on the Traunstein. Via the Mair-Alm-Steig downhill to the Kaisertisch, the Spitzelsteinalm and the refreshment stop in Ebensee - half time.

Now it gets really tough again, the ascent to the Feuerkogel is the next stop. From the plateau of the Feuerkogel, head north into the Langbathtal valley, descend to the „Kreh“ refreshment stop and on to the Hochsteinalm. The route now leads into the Mühlbachtal valley, up the Grasberg and, as the last mountain station, up the Gmundnerberg to the former Naturfreundehaus. Now all that remains is the descent to Altmünster and along the Esplanade in Gmunden to the finish.  

Fural half distance Gmunden - Ebensee

The start was at 05:00 in the morning in Gmunden on the town square, and the finish was set for 15:00 in Ebensee. By then, 33 kilometres and 2500 metres of altitude had to be covered.

We started in Gmunden at the town hall square. The first stop led via the Ortnersteig to the Grünberg and on to the Naturfreundesteig on the Traunstein. Via the Mair-Alm-Steig downhill to the Kaisertisch, to the Spitzelsteinalm. The hiking trail led back downhill to the village of Rindbach. The route continued to the finish in Ebensee at the town hall square.

Innotech half distance Ebensee - Gmunden

The start was at 08:30 in the morning in Ebensee and the finish was set for 19:30 in Gmunden at the town hall square. By then, 30 kilometres and 2000 metres of altitude had to be covered.

The half-mountain marathon leads from the start in Ebensee Trauneck via the Kalvarienberg on the hiking trail to the Feuerkogel. From the plateau of the Feuerkogel, the route heads north into the Langbathtal valley, descending to the „Kreh“ refreshment point and on to the Hochsteinalm. The route now leads into the Mühlbachtal valley, up the Grasberg and, as the last mountain station, up the Gmundnerberg to the former Naturfreundehaus. Now all that remains is the descent to Altmünster and along the Esplanade in Gmunden to the finish.

Charity hike as part of the Traunsee Mountain Marathon 2024

The 15th charity walk took place this year. For an entry fee of at least €30 (all of which is donated to a good cause), the walk starts at 10.00 am on the day of the mountain marathon from Gmunden's town hall square.

Boat trip from the town hall square to Altmünster. Then a leisurely hike with two refreshment stops in the direction of Gmundnerberg, along the original mountain marathon route to Gmunden, past the Eggerhaus and over the Pensionatsberg, down to the lake. Continue along the esplanade to the finish at the town hall square.

What else awaits you at the Traunsee Mountain Marathon 2024

Info on refreshment points

• Traunstein memorial stone
• Traunstein
• Imperial table
• Karbach
• Spitzlstein
• Ebensee
• Feuerkogel
• Kreh
• Mühlbach valley
• Grasberg
• Gmundnerberg

Luggage transport

Conclusion from a participant of the Traunsee Mountain Marathon 2024

As promised, you will now get a little insight into what it feels like to train for such an event and how proud you can be of yourself when you've made it. I would also like to briefly mention the incredible and, for ME, superhuman achievement of everyone who ran the Fural, the Innotech or the overall marathon - I take my hat off to each and every one of them.

Preparation

A difficult topic, as the participant is generally an active and sporty person. She has been walking and climbing all kinds of mountains for years, runs her laps several times a week and, as if that wasn't enough, she is also very active on her racing bike. The closer she got to the mountain marathon, the more intense and longer these activities became - the workload and speed increased and expanded.

What else you should know about the Traunsee Mountain Marathon 2024

Equipment

Let's start from the beginning: The start time of the Raiffeisen Overall Marathon is at 03:00 in the morning. Going to bed early to get enough sleep should be obvious to everyone. But what do you actually need, or what should you definitely think about? A must is a headlamp, which the organiser requires you to carry. Other mandatory items are: sturdy shoes, mobile phone, first aid kit, rescue whistle, 1-litre drinking bottle, headgear and a rain jacket.

But what else should you take with you? What else did our runner have in her luggage? Her running poles were a must, and she had a headband as well as her cap for the morning hours. A small snack in case she felt faint would also be an advantage, and there was also room for salt tablets in her rucksack. You can also wear a sports watch for the joy afterwards and to visualise what you have just achieved.

Experience

Now we come to a point that was very important to our participant. Of course, you need to have a certain basic level of fitness to be able to do something like this. But in addition to the physical aspect, mental willpower is also extremely important. She provided the best example: well prepared and yet there are days that are simply not so good. From Gmunden to the refreshment station in Ebensee, our runner was not at her best. Everything was fine in terms of air quality and her legs were also doing great, but she realised that something wasn't quite right. She really struggled until the halfway point and even considered giving up.

Now it was time to take a deep breath and reflect in Ebensee - after all, only 50 % had been completed. More than most people would manage, so you can stop and still be proud of this achievement. But she wanted to complete the entire Traunsee mountain marathon. So she clenched her arse cheeks, took a deep breath and fought. Her willpower was so great, her mental strength was simply amazing and it was worth it. She was better than ever in the second half. She even made up the lost time, even though it had already reached almost 28 degrees. I would probably have given up at this point at the latest and thought - one half marathon is enough. It takes a bit more than just being physically fit.

The time afterwards

Still full of adrenaline and overjoyed, she joined her friends and family after crossing the finish line. After 63 kilometres and 4500 metres in altitude, she was allowed to sit down for a moment and then went straight into the Traunsee to refresh herself. Then the first muscle aches and pains set in and every step was more strenuous than normal. When she got home, it was time for a relaxing bath and then onto the couch. She found it a little harder than usual to fall asleep as her legs were throbbing, as she told us.

The next day was just for relaxing. She had aching muscles in her legs and shoulders the next day from walking with the poles. But what can you say? Just 2 days later, she could no longer stand the rest and started her first run after the Traunsee Mountain Marathon 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Running events are right up your street? Then be sure to check out our article „Traunsee Half Marathon 2024: Running into the sunset - a mega experience“ to.

Der Beitrag Traunsee Bergmarathon 2024 erschien zuerst auf muats drawig.