Day 4: Natterer See to St. Johann in Tirol (110 km, 550 vm)

Cycling up the last 300 vertical meters yesterday paid off. The temperatures at this altitude at night dropped a bit so it was not too hot in the tent. I slept quite well but to avoid the heat like yesterday I got up at 5, packed up and was on the bike by 6. The first 7 kilometres went downhill to Innsbruck where I had a quick breakfast. I cycled through the city, took a few pictures and then headed on east along the river Inn. It was a nice cycle. With a slight back wind and slowly loosing altitude I made quite some distance.

Originally I planned to have a bit of a shorter day. I wanted to go to a campsite near Kramsach, about 60 km away from where I started. But when I arrived in Kramsach it was only abou 9:00. Too early to stop I felt. I felt good so I cycled on. On the way I met a few other cyclists who just came across the Brenner yesterday and said that the heat was unbearable. I just wonder how Großglocker will go for me. I cycled a bit with them and we parted in Schwaz where they headed north. I went through the town with the and took pictures of the beautiful buildings and the Schloss Freundsberg which is located on a mountain right above Schwaz. I would have liked to stay longer but I if I wanted to get to St. Johann in Tirol, my new chosen destination, I needed to keep going to avoid the biggest heat.

In Wörgl the river Inn runs northward. I kept going east. That meant that the mostly flat ride along the river valley was now over. To get to St. Johann wanted to follow the state street which turned out to be very busy and often narrow. There was a bike route which I then followed instead. The views from there to the "Wilder Kaiser" Mountains were stunning but the road was very steep. On the downhill towards Scheffau I had to cycle down a 25 % farmers road. At 25 % the weight of the bike and the luggage is pulling down quite heavily so I took it very slow. From Scheffau to St. Johann I was able to cycle next to the state street.

When I arrived in St. Anton the thermometer showed 39 degrees. It felt like an oven. I checked out the local campsite. It was on about 3 kilometres outside of St. Johann on a field next to a forest but the camp spaces where mostly not shaded. I could not see myself setting up camp here. I would have to wait till the sun goes down before laying down would be possible. So I decided for a cheap hotel close to St. Johan instead. After I checked in I washed my clothes - regular routine now - and then sorted out my luggage. When you are on the way you realise what you do NOT need much more than when you are packing. I went to the local post office and sent 3 kilos of clothes and other items back home to my parent.

Tomorrow will be a shorter day. I will go to Fusch which is located at the foot of Großglockner pass. If I was to cycle further from there I would have to do the whole pass, so Fusch it is.