Oh me oh my oh my oh me

Today marks the longest I have ridden here in CH. I found a new website that allows people to post routes and I found a real doozy. I have been looking for hills, and I have finally found them. Switchbacks, 70 kmh descents, muscle wrenching ascents. It has it all. Manages to meander through the Emmental region, then briefly into Luzern Canton for a bit, then slowly climbs into the Berner Oberland. Just when you think you're done climbing (because you are doing 70 kmh down a hill), you see a sign that says "road climbs 500m over 5km". And then you cry. It was a VERY beautiful route. At one point I was riding under a "flock" of para-gliders coming down from the mountain. The only problem really was he number of motorcycles, which as it turns out there was a motorcycle rally (Töfflitreff) at the highest point.

And yes, I totally bonked. Seems a pancake isn't enough food to do 100k in the Berner Oberland. In my defense I hadn't planned on going this far. And I swear the altitude map is wrong because at the little dip at about 55km into the ride was where I saw the "500m in 5km" sign.

So beautiful. As well. Wow.

Mein Name ist Stegi!

Noah is completely infatuated with our neighbors that share our balcony. They have been very nice to him and are patent with his 4-year old version of English and a little German. Usually Noah brings out stuff to show them and they tell him what it is in German. Sometimes they give him little toys they have picked up over the years and he gives them some of his toys in return.

This evening for whatever reason Noah was out there chatting away with them. I went out to tell him it was bedtime and see our neighbor drawing and Noah with a small stack of papers - whatever Noah asked for, he would draw. At one point he ran inside to get his dinosaur encyclopedia to show him a special dinosaur he wanted. Turns out our neighbor is a professional artist (who knew?!?). He also gave us one of the books he has published. I haven't had a chance to look at it much because Noah of course will not part with it but it looks pretty cute.

Happy 4th (5th) of July

Did the whole Bern Marines BBQ thing this evening. They always put on a good party with loud music (Rush, Iron Maiden, Van Halen), burgers shipped in from Germany, US beer, beans, watermelon the works. Try explaining to a 4-year old why US Marines like loud music.

And slip-n-slides. They never forget the kids. Slip-n-slides, soccer balls and lots of kid fun too.

On the other hand, when you overhear them discussing assembling an explosive device I tend to think they know what they are talking about.

Ouch. That one hurt ...

Took a 4-hour ride this afternoon. Yes, the hottest day of the year so far and I head out on my longest ride of the year. Total ouch.  Did not bonk, but came close. Ride was actually 82km. Down to Schwarzenburg (or is it up? yes, it's up. That's the UP part of the ride.), then on down to Thun, then back up to Bern. There were some really awesome downhill spots coming out of Schwarzenburg. Zooming down the mountain at 60kph. There is also this spot just to the east of Schwarzenburg where there is a radio-controlled airplane airport. So I'm riding past and there are like 10 planes in the air all doing loop-tee-loops. Makes for an interesting ride.

So here's some German-English fun for you. In the following sentence, try to figure out what is German and what is English:

"Das Iced Vanilla Latte mit Caramel ist the shit. The shit"

As overheard at Starbux.

Taking Longer ...

So here in Bern, it only takes 5 working days to renew your Aufenthaltsbewilligung. You suckers in Zürich have to suffer. All 4 of us. Bing, bam, boom. 4 cards. Done. One of the benefits of living in a smaller city I guess.

On the other hand, it took 3 months to get my NespressoClub membership card.

Watching a Little WM

A lot of smack talk thrown around the office today because of USA's "win" against England.

Things I Saw This Week

1. Fabian Cancallera heading north out of Worb. He had a motorcycle pacing him.
2. The World Cup music concert on no less that 50% of all channels we have. Shakira appears to be REALLY popular.
3. Todd riding home from work
4. A bunch of old dudes who could climb faster than I could