The Friend that Always Wants to Follow

Short, dark, and handsome—and always with drink in hand. 56mm tall and a petite 9.6 kilograms, the Focus comes in, it glides into the room sporting a midnight blue coat with white trim and an international label that reads “German Lightweight Engineering”.

This is my graduation gift to myself. Instead of a down payment on a car for working in the US, which brings regular, irritating monthly payments, my senior-year savings contributed to a full-payment (no “down” crap around here—aside from the direction all of my bank accounts have gone since traveling abroad and purchasing such a ride in Euros.)

One month and 255 kilometers into our relationship, we’ve already seen much together, survived a few bruises through the days, and gotten lost together—following a random man in a skin-tight uniform back to Stuttgart. (It was another guy on a road bike in full biking gear—it’s more humorous to describe it the first way. Basically, I was taking a different way back; we very shortly we figured out we were both headed back to Stuttgart and he pointed out the turns to the city. It was nice having a pseudo guide to make sure I found the way safely. I found the path again, thanks to his directions, and then I zipped back on the way I knew.)

So this Sunday the 26^th, I woke up late, as usual, and with a city map in my riding backpack, I plunked my finger on my city map at places that looked interesting and said “I’m going there.”

The first stop was a look-out point over Stuttgart. Weissenburg. As you figure from the words “look-out point” and “burg” (mountain/castle), it was UP the hill. Biking that direction was initially hard. We traveled about 3 kilometers away from my apartment to this place that featured a pleasant beer garden/restaurant at the top.

Next, after enjoying the downhill ride, a few unplanned turns planted me at Marienplatz (Platz=square)—a primary subway stop with restaurants and cafes around it.

A quick look at my city map incited an interst to head off to Feuersee, (Feuer= Fire, See=Lake/Sea) (By the way, I didn’t take any of these photos, obviously. I forgot my camera, and just swiped these from online so you can see what I saw.) In the middle of this residential area with the University down the street, I arrived at a large, sandstone-colored gothic church as a peninsula in a man made lake, which happened to host an electrical model motorboat race that afternoon. Along with the café and restaurant visitors, a small crowd gathered to both observe and participate in racing the 15-inch contraptions around red and white buoys stationed in the pond.

The next large construction I was to pass was the Rotebühlbau (Bau=building), which turned out to be the finance agency for the city. To my disappointment, the area was quiet without guests, reception, or tours.

However, the next stop—Robert Bosch Areal and the Liederhalle (Song Hall)—are the locales for evening entertainment, featuring classical performances in the hall and the latest movie releases at the Cinemaxx theater.

But only around the corner, I find myself in the city park, adjoining the University of Stuttgart. On this sunny afternoon, Germans are out with beach blankets and books, most as students preparing for their final exams in the next two weeks.

And here I find myself. Alongside my blue, German stud seated calmly in a beer garden/restaurant in the middle of the park, I found it a perfect chance to detail my ride and my rad (Rad=wheel, i.e. bike).

I ride about 3-4 times a week, typically around 30 kilometers per time (approx. 18.6 miles) and am really proud of my progress to date. With my last ride of 30 Km, I averaged 27.7 kmh/17.2 mph with stop-and-go in city traffic, but, more importantly, I floated at 31 kmh/19.2 mph when actually riding. It’s not pro by any means, and it is flat riding along the river in Stuttgart—the Neckar—but it’s progress I’m proud of. I still need the glasses and the skin-tight gear to round out the biker look. But, to-date, I’m pleased and it’s still treating me well, keeping me active, showing me the city, and providing my best defense against an impending gut from the delicious meats and cheeses available everywhere along with the regional specialties—delicious but dangerous—Maultaschen and Käsespätzle.

A buddy that goes everywhere I want to, shows me the city, works out with, never criticizes, always poses a new challenge, and always looks sharp; that sounds like a pretty good friend.

Later Days,

Rick