Ellmau, Austria

Overnight rain had made little impact on the trails. Out here, they don't degenerate rapidly into mush like back home. Keith and I rode up behind the farm and up into the hills. The climbs were long and hard but rewarded by sweet woodland singletrack ...

... my riding style. Our downward return was interrupted by a break to pick wild bilberries by the side of the path. I decided to ride to Ellmau afterwards to pick up some tyres that were similar to the ones I use at home as I wasn't used to the racy tyres on ...

... for Skiwelt so spent a second consecutive day there. Katie used the lifts and went walking along the top from above Scheffau toward Ellmau then down the funicular railway there. Keith and I took the lift up from Scheffau. A lovely, blue, sunny day. The ...

Now for the heavy stuff! After our customary farm-fresh, home-made breakfast, a 45-minute drive took us to Leogang. €25 bought a day's lift pass and I donned my arm and leg pads. The beginner-freeride level trail is called Hangman II and runs from ...