Stage 9 - Landsberg to Garmisch - 115 km

"RIIIIIIIIIIICOLA" OK, so maybe I.m not in Swiss country, yet, but that.s what I felt like yelling today. OK, I actually did, but no one was around, I think, damn, maybe I.m wrong, oops, run on sentence... I am out of the flat country and into the friggin' ALPS baby! Man, I think I.m closer to heaven, physically and spiritually in a sense. Today was one of my best so far, but I think the mountains have the most to do with that. The other areas have been great, even the boring past two days. But they were exciting in different ways and I got to see some places not many Americans will see, or probably should. Just kidding! The first 40k were flat, but there were some really steep parts for the last 75k that I am glad to have granny gear for. I do not recommend a double compact crank for touring. I thought about doing that with my Cannondale, but I am glad that I bought the Trek touring bike for this trip. Oh, today felt like a "no chain" day, literally. I was track standing at a light and then mashed the pedals when it turned green and I about yelled more than Ricola. Fortunately there was a shop less than 100 yards away and it was worth €35 for a new chain and piece of mind. I wish I could show some pics from today, although they still don.t do justice without the panorama effect and the clarity isn.t as good either, and you don.t get the smells of fresh cow pies, and, and, and wish you were here! Tomorrow I head toward Fussen on the way to Lindau. I will try and see Birdseye, or Birchenshit, or some place Hitler was my dad told me to go to. Hopefully I can find it on the map, or TT. And, I may get to see a Pro Tour event, the Tour of Germany! I think I have it planned to watch Stage 4 on Monday, but we.ll see how that goes depending on where I am. There is a Cat 2 climb that is 20k from the finish that ought to be good to watch, as long as I.m not going up there fully loaded. Ok, time to go get loaded. PROST! B2

Although the picture doesn.t do justice, it was my first view of the Alps!

I.m THIS happy to be in the Alps!

One of the many murals painted on the buildings in the town of Garmisch.

A view of the church steeple at night.