Day 9 Tour around Semmering

Awoke to the sound of a birdsong which seemed very loud. A blue tit had flown into our room and announced its arrival. It was only a foot inside the veranda door which had been open all night but it made off as soon as I sat up.

The good news was that it was bright and dry so a nice change from last 3 days.
Group 3B run was leaving about 930 so it was down for breakfast then out to the car park to get ready. Today's run was to the north west of the village and visited several ski areas  and around some lakes which were very scenic. So scenic in fact that the group of 19 bikes got split into two and though we went different routes we met at the lakeside bistro within minutes of each other.

This was a well planned route with all the ascents going up the twisty hairpins and all the descents down long sweeping curves- excellent. The 98 miles run ended too soon but it gave a chance to get in a visit to the local shops.

The evening buffet was next and then the official handover to the French organisers for next years gathering in Aix Les Bains. During the meal a slide show was taking place on a large screen showing the work of the events photographer who had been snapping away for the last 3 days on each evening and in the car park as bikes came and went. I have to say I was not impressed with one of myself at a meal with mouth wide open, not a pretty sight.