*Just to clear things up, if your mind drifts into the gutter at the mention of an ‘Adult Playground’—don’t think Vegas. Instead, imagine biking, hiking, skiing, rafting, charming villages, stunning views, a few beers, and enough terrain to keep you exploring for years without seeing it all.
We had just three days to get our first taste of Wojtek’s—Bryan’s Polish friend and former colleague—home-away-from-home. Wojtek is the epitome of an engineer: fit, talkative, and always ready for an adventure. As an avid skier, the Austrian Alps are his natural choice.
Bryan, still around 60-70% recovered from his recent bout with COVID, felt well enough for what we imagined would be a “relaxing” day hike in Bramberg. The scenery didn’t disappoint—sweeping green mountain views, the cheerful clang of cowbells, and a well-earned alpine lunch. Unfortunately, the hike was less forgiving, knocking Bryan off his feet again and setting back his recovery.
The next day, while Bryan wisely rested, Wojtek and I embarked on a “simple” 80 km e-bike ride. Spoiler: it was anything but simple. We started in Bramberg, cruising through picturesque Austrian mountain towns, before heading south toward the Krimmler Achental glacier field. The ride turned out to be longer, tougher, and far more exhilarating than I’d expected!
A few lessons from the adventure:
E-biking may sound easy, but don’t be fooled—it still requires serious effort, especially when you’re trying to conserve battery power for the inevitable uphill climbs.
- Jumping from zero to 80 km in one day guarantees exhaustion, a sore bum, and perhaps a slightly less-than-pleasant mood afterward.
- Never, and I mean never, forget your bike lights. Passing through an unlit tunnel for 90 seconds with only my phone’s flashlight to warn oncoming cars was, without a doubt, the dumbest and scariest thing I’ve done on this trip. Whoops! Safe to say, I won’t be repeating that one.
- As much fun as it would’ve been to have Bryan with us, I’m so glad he chose to rest. Health comes first, and we were all keen to see him bounce back.
On our final day, Bryan felt well enough for a relaxed e-bike ride through the flats. Keeping his heart rate low while soaking in the fresh mountain air was the goal. Meanwhile, my butt was sharply aware of every bump, hill, and extra minute in the saddle! Still, seeing Bryan back on his feet (or wheels) made it all worthwhile—especially when Wojtek, with his Polish accent, kept referring to Bryan as “weak” in the most unintentionally hilarious way. 😆
After returning the bikes, we hopped on the ski lift up to Hinterer Schafbichl, a mountain famous for its breathtaking views. The rocky, barren terrain reminded me of Alaska’s glaciers—unreal colors, minimal signs of life, and absolutely stunning. The best part? We didn’t have to bike or hike to enjoy the scenery, making it perfect for anyone in recovery or simply looking for an easier day out. Though, to be fair, the average tourist up there reminded me a lot of the ultra-fit Boulder crowd back in Colorado, where our trip began. This place definitely draws the fittest segment of the population!
The next day, we packed up and headed back to Vienna for our flight to Split, Croatia. The adventure continues…
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