Bad Tolz to Maurach 56kms 🚴‍♀️ + 6s walking my bike uphill

Bad Tolz 🇩🇪to Maurach 🇦🇹 56kms 🚴‍♀️ plus 6kms walking my bike up steep gravel hills!

After a good sleep in my tent, I set off at 9.30 and my route wound through little villages alongside the Isar river again.  I diverted to enjoy riding around a quaint little village Lenggries with a beautiful church currently under renovation.  

The bitumen cycle path was very busy with road bikers, e-bikers and some card packers (cycling with just a change of clothes and staying in hotels). 

The  path winded up through the mountains and eventually came through a tunnel to the most magnificent view reward!  The green Waters of Sylvensteinsee dam, flanked by mountains and pine forests! 

The lookout was full of cyclists, motorbikers and other tourists.

I enjoyed a downhill albeit on a windy road (with respectful motorists) and then took the turn off into the forest.  There were large barriers a few KMs along the route showing the road closed.  What to do? 

A couple came along and he said he was going through! And so I followed as the alternative was back up the huge hill on the road and then following the highway with no cycle shoulder.

Well the next 20kms were very tough riding as the road was under repair.  Huge dumps of chunky gravel that hadn't been compacted, steep hills that nearly all riders were pushing their bikes up (including ebikes) the forest was lovely and glimpses of the dam were pretty.  Eventually I came across workmen with a huge section of road dug up and machinery everywhere.  I think I would have cried if I would have had to go back as it was such slow difficult riding.  The workman called out saying they would help me and so two of them lifted my bike (groaning under the weight!) to the other side.  I was so grateful. 

I crossed the border to Austria somewhere in that steep forest!  

Eventually the forest ended and I found myself in a gorgeous valley with pretty flower box guesthouses and ski fields in the surrounding mountains.  

Lake Achensee is a summer sports haven with sail boats, stand up paddleboards, paddle board, and  swimmers enjoying the pristine freshwater.  To finish with 13kms around the lake was bliss. 

A hot day at 26 degrees and the breeze off the lake was cooling.  Soooo many people along the lake path. People on bikes, jogging, walking and enjoying the stunning day.

My campground is at the far end of the lake and before turning off I waded in and found it a surprisingly manageable temperature! 

The campground lady said she had no spaces and my tired look of shock softened her and she said one hadn't showed yet and so it was mine! At that point a young couple who were camped next to me last night arrived looking for a spot.  I said we were together and so Ukranian Irini and her hubby and I are squeezed into a corner with majestic mountain views!

A visually stunning day, but a tough one in the saddle.  I think I'm going to feel it in the morning!