Tuesday
11.8.2015

456km Total: 970km
19km
612km
2
The day I get to see my favourite sign "Last exit in Sweden".
I don't know how you can feel so affectionate towards a yellow tin sign but I get all fuzzy inside every time I see it.
We march along towards the Rödby ferry, the kilometres quickly disappear with first a 130kph speed limit through most of Denmark and no speed limit at all through most of Germany.
Even if it wasn't for the gravelthreaded tires (Heidenau K60 and Mitas E07) we would probably still have settled for a marching speed of 140kph, anything above that and you can almost hear the slurping in the petrol tank.
We arrive in Hamburg far to early considering that were not due to load the bikes onto the train until 8.30PM so it was just as well that we had already decided to pass some time at the Louis bike shop and get the brake pads for my bike.
That really turned out to be stroke of luck because somewhere in Hamburg the bear start to get problems with his front brake, he can barely touch it before the ABS kicks in.
It turns out that he lost one of the bolts for one of the brakes which means it can pivot on the remaining bolt.
Not only could they provide a suitable bolt, the also lent us the tools to do the job so it was a pretty easy fix!
We could also pass a lot of time in this biker-kindergarten to shorten the wait for the train.
We still arrive pretty early at Altona but unlike the last time we rode the the Autozug we are allowed to check in and put the bikes up front right away which means that we have time to grab a bit to eat and do some shopping until loading.
The loading of the bikes really is a wonder of German efficiency, the fastening straps are attached to the bikes before we're even on the train and they're strapping down the bike pretty much before you're even off the thing.
Just like last time we rode we shared or coupé with an elderly pair but this time they weren't a couple.
It was obvious that this wasn't the first time on the Autozug for them either since they were ready to turn out the light before we had even made our beds or brushed our teeth.
We were taken a bit by surprise since we had after all plundered half of Lidl of cookies, fizzy drinks and candy we had meant to snack on the train.
Well, change of plans. Make bed, brush teeth and lights out. Ordnung muss sein!
Like always I have trouble sleeping, the train moves about way to much. I hate ferries for the same reason and this was very much the same phenomenon.
Last time I checked the clock it was 1AM and what little sleep I manage to get is chopped up into small parts since I often wake up in a panic thrown about like a rag doll in my bunk.
DB say the train rides at speeds up to 160kph so you can feel every curvature of the tracks.
Louis Megashop, Hamburg
Repairs in progress
Waiting for the Autozug
It feels pretty strange riding through a mall to get on the train
No wonder the loaders won't permit anyone to ride on without their helmet
Best to let sleeping bears lie