Zweimal auf den Dolmar

across the chicken farm into the Schwarzatal valley, then up the grassy path in the Red Valley at Gemsengang pace, the terrain was tough, plus there were thorny plants everywhere – you have to be extremely careful. Up top, continued up to the Kühndorf airfield, then up the pasture to the cross path towards Metzels. The pasture has about an 11% gradient, but also grass and waves, so keep it loose because the main challenge is still ahead! The pasture was 500 m long, the next section too; this time a proper path, but also endless grass and stones with a 14% gradient at the steepest part. Now comes the hardest part: 500 m on grass with an incline of nearly 20%, you have to give it your all. The grass makes it even worse. At the top, I had already done 445 m of elevation gain over 12.7 km. Down on the tank road to Utendorf and back up the west slope of the Dolmar. From the cross path, up the footpath to the road, then the last 700 m on this road up to Charlottenhaus. 26 km in 2:45 h, that’s 9.5 km/h – insane. Down I went to Schwarza via HAARDT; the ramp directly into town was extremely steep and also eroded. 22% on such terrain can’t be conquered uphill. For that, at the town’s edge, I turned right towards Osterkuppe and climbed the hollow path – 800 m long and about 14% with 100 m of elevation and some mud waves, full effort was needed there. Then the main path up to the A 71 and over the Meisenbachskopf and the chicken farm home. 1,070 meters of elevation over just 39.5 km, giving a difficulty rating of more than 27!!!