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29 Jan 2011

gallitzin, or galitzin?

I was out with friends yesterday who dared me into cycling up to Galitzinberg (for some reason also spelled Gallitzinberg, don't ask me why), as they claimed that Gallitzin street were one of the steepest climbs of Wienerwald, which I bluntly denied.
Hoarfrost on Galitzinberg (48°13' N 16°16' E)
Well, I rose to the challenge and indeed got on my bike, rode from the East End of town to the West End (a good twenty kilometres, with temperatures well below -5 degrees freezing, and hoarfrost forming on trees as you can see).
Hoarfrost on Galitzinberg (48°13' N 16°16' E)
And guess what? It is indeed one of the steepest climbs of Wienerwald! One shouldn't talk big before those in the know, shouldn't one?
Hedera helix (in hoarfrost) (48°13' N 16°16' E)
Anyway, it isn't as if I hadn't got my punishment: I'm frozen through from bone to bone, it is very exhausting to ride your bicycle in conditions like that, with cold and dry air, no matter how much clothes you put on.
But I also got something out of it - a very nice place which I definitely will visit again come spring, and warmer temperatures!