From Imst to Nauders. Startes at 0730 in the rain, but the weather turned fine during the morning. First 30 kms flat, then at Landeck southward and upwards. Very steep climb up to Hochgalmigg and further. Had some coffee in the warm kitchen of an elderly retired landlady and a good lunch at Jausenstation Neuegg. Ther Andy and Thomas from Germany joined us. All of a sudden Thomas’s frontfork lost its air (suspension) (See pictures in blog below). Could continue, though with a handicap. Down to the river again and we rode into Switzerland, where we pused in Martina before we started the last climb of the day: another 600 mtrs over a rough gravel track. Ride 100 altitude meters, walk 10, ride another 90 etc. Then with a loud noise my chain broke. Must have been a small piece of roch between a link or something, can’t imagine my legs are that strong…. Fixed in 15 minutes with a small chaintool and a so-called powerlink, a link that cab be inserted by hand. It held for the whole rest of the tour. Here Ronald lost his bike-glasses. Pity. After this he used mine, I could use my normal (sun)glasses. Andy and Thomas joined us again here and from here we have stayed together.
We reached the hotel after 90 kms and app. 2000 altitudemeters and met the most bad humoured and unfriendly waiter of the western hemisphere, an experience in itself. Thomas could re-inflate his front suspension with the special little pump I carried in my suitcase. He has continued the whole trip this way, re-inflating every couple of hours.