hTTi

Yup, last year (I think) I posted about the free tomato shelter we picked up off kleinanzeigen, which turned out to be made of steel and glass and weighed a ton, and caused much whinging from my house elves.

It is essentially a low bus shelter, a bit too low for the toms, really, but they are doing OK under there and growing some lovely tomatoes (San Marzano, this year, mostly)-

So I, too, recommend a shelter option for them. It'll make a solid difference.

I think you'd be sad if you stopped tomato-ing - you have posted about them a lot over the years.

Alberto wrote: ↑Sun Aug 10, 2025 7:28 am

Robinson100 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 08, 2025 8:19 pm Not sure what your living situation is, but can´t you find a place for them next year, where they are simply more sheltered?

4 rows of Hochbeet, each 1m x 4m, no I can't mice them

I know this is the why are you unhappy today thread, but this (presumably) predictive text mix up made me smile because I was reading too fast and had to go back to figure out what micing tomatoes is and how it helps with blight.

When I lived in Dusseldorf, I volunteered at the Biogarten. They had something similar to what Panda posted above, but bigger. I'm terrible at adding photos to posts but there are two or three on their website where you can see it (it's in the background of the picture that is 3 in and 5 down, for example). They used similar swirly poles as well but added rope from the top of them up to the poles supporting the roof to give the tomatoes loads of room to climb.


To add something on topic, today I'm unhappy because I've messed up a chance at, at least a good friendship, but also possibly more. And that reminds me how tired I am of having to be the only one who looks after me. At least there's still chocolate.

Jeanie wrote: ↑Mon Aug 11, 2025 12:25 pm
To add something on topic, today I'm unhappy because I've messed up a chance at, at least a good friendship, but also possibly more. And that reminds me how tired I am of having to be the only one who looks after me. At least there's still chocolate.

Yes, and I`m unhappy that it´s become so bloody expensive!!!

Extremely unhappy today because I got disqualified at a bycicle race in which I invested huge emotional capital.
Why disqualified? In short: because I'm not capable to ride the bicycle.
In almost 50yr of cycling never rode this much distance and climbing and felt so little tired. Sad. Bitter. Not what I wanted.

Alberto wrote: ↑Sun Aug 31, 2025 11:27 pm Extremely unhappy today because I got disqualified at a bycicle race in which I invested huge emotional capital.
Why disqualified? In short: because I'm not capable to ride the bicycle.
In almost 50yr of cycling never rode this much distance and climbing and felt so little tired. Sad. Bitter. Not what I wanted.

I'm confused.
Why were you disqualified?
What happened?

Eric7 wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 8:58 am.
Why were you disqualified?
What happened?

I had own problems during the two first descents: Sölden - Ötz, e Kühtai - Innsbruck. My fault. This made me simply slow. By the time I got to Innsbruck, ca one third of whole distance, I was already outside the time limit set by the organisers. That's why they disqualified me
I continued solo (well, by now instead of fellow cyclists I had motorised traffic next to me) to Brenner, Vipiteno Sterzing, and even Giovo Jaufenpass. I was eager to continue to Rombo Timmelsjoch. Legs and motivation were very good. But it was late (not sure, maybe 3pm or 4om) and I was scared of eventually finding myself solo, in high mountain, with bycicle, in the darkness. So with much bitterness I accepted defeat and got into the rescue car of the organisers.

I could write more details (well, I did already, somewhere else) but I suspect nobody here is interested.

Oh man, that's a real bummer.

For what it's worth, it would seem like your decision was the wise one, and that's a brave choice even if you are left feeling sad.

I don't now how many people on here are into cycling to the extent that you are, but I am sure plenty would read your account with interest anyway, if you want to write it again.

kiplette wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 11:25 am I don't now how many people on here are into cycling to the extent that you are, but I am sure plenty would read your account with interest anyway, if you want to write it again.

Ok, fine, here copied pasted my Strava report

Disaster.

I'm the worstest ever descender. From start to Innsbruck, almost 75km, only ca 15km were uphill. I lost much time and got to Innsbruck outside the time limit. The Besenwagen, rescue car, informed me I got disqualified.
(Note to myself: you sure you want to ride the toughest alpine Granfondo if you can't descend?)
Pity. I will continue. Short later while safely and slowly plodding along the road, with normal car traffic next to me, even the fat Polizei physically stops me and shouts at me.
They forcefully remove the number, with chip, from the back of my bicycle. Warum? Keine Ahnung.
I used to believe the police was to catch criminals. Not shouting to harmless cyclists whose crime(!?) is being too slow for a major amateur race.

-) You must stop. You cannot continue 
-) but can I simply continue on my own, even as disqualified?
-) No, you cannot continue. You must stop.
-) how do I get back to my hotel?
-) you can continue.

So I continued. Never mind I got lost in Innsbruck. Had to ask info to random pedestrians.
Made it to the feeding station at Brennero just when they were dismounting the tables. Still managed to grab bananas, tea bottle, and power bars.
Continued to Vipiteno. 
Again got lost. Again asked random pedestrians.
Made it the start of Giovo, where I see the last 2 Besenwagen, parked. They encouraged me to get in. But motivation, and legs, are as good as ever. I'm not even tired. Just I'm not capable to descend so I'm "only" late.

I strike a deal with the Besenwagen: I ride upwards towards Giovo, and when the very last of them passes me, I will stop cycling, accept defeat, and jump in.

And this is all. I almost made it to passo Giovo when finally the last rescue cars caught me and I got in.

Legs were good all the time. Just I was scared being this late (what time? maybe 3pm) I would have ended up cycling in high altitude mountains alone, with no lights, in the dark. This is the only reason I got in the car, instead of continuing solo towards Giovo (Jaufenpass), Rombo (Timmelsjoch), and Sölden, as officially disqualified.

In hindsight: I now believe had I continued I would have made it within daylight. Whatever. I lost badly because, put it brutally, I'm not capable to ride the bicycle. It sucks very very very badly. Did I write it sucks very badly?

In almost 50yr of cycling I never felt so fresh, but/and also unhappy, after cycling 169km 3369m . Not what I wanted. Sad. Bitter.
There will be better days.

Alberto wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 12:31 pm [..] with normal car traffic next to me, even the fat Polizei physically stops me and shouts at me.
They forcefully remove the number, with chip, from the back of my bicycle. Warum? Keine Ahnung.

Maybe because you were in "normal" traffic with a bike that lacks fundamental equipment to be considered "road worthy", like illumination, reflectors etc.?

Alberto wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 12:31 pm
In almost 50yr of cycling I never felt so fresh, but/and also unhappy, after cycling 169km 3369m . Not what I wanted. Sad. Bitter.
There will be better days.

I admire you and your efforts as this route is very tough.
I have done nearly the same route many times on motorbike and car, never thought I was fit enough to try it by cycle

However we should remember these roads are mainly for the connection of villages/towns ( OK in a scenic way ). When an event like this is organised, the police / organisers want the road closed to other traffic as short as possible. So other road users can use it for what is was designed for. Sorry they will not close it forever, waiting for the last one to come as they have other stuff to do and allow the normal road traffic to use it. I guess unfortunately for you.

Of course I do not really see why the police / organisers, wanted to stop you doing it by yourself, as there is no law preventing you doing it by yourself. However I think you were right to stop and take the lift given you, as you had no lights and coming down in the dark, would be very hard and other road users would not see you until it was too late !!!!!.
I am little bit surprised that you did not have lights with you, some sports I do like ski touring, require me to take lights, in case something goes wrong and I have to come down in the dark. Its just common sense. Also I thought maybe the police would fine you for not having lights. But I suppose it was intended, for you to finish with sunshine to spare......

How did you get lost in Innsbruck, there are many signs to Brenner and Italy same as in Sterzing ? to Giovo (Jaufenpass)

As said, this route is difficult, doing over 3369 height meters gain/loss, would take it out of any normal cycle user, you need to be very fit. If you try it again on a private basis, try doing an extra night in St. Leonhard in Passeier

Nice effort though, I would concentrate on the happiness of your achievement and your dream rather than than anything else.

Google maps aren't heavy.

Better half has done Oztaler 2(3?)times. He is a good climber, but found the descents increasingly challenging. Thought he would end up in the broom wagon a couple of times but managed to avoid it. Nothing to be ashamed of though. Hope you feeling more cheerful about it soon. And onto the next challenge.

yesterday wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 2:38 pm When an event like this is organised, the police / organisers want the road closed to other traffic as short as possible. So other road users can use it for what is was designed for. Sorry they will not close it forever,

Of course they won't. This was always clear and always accepted.

yesterday wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 2:38 pm Of course I do not really see why the police / organisers, wanted to stop you doing it by yourself, as there is no law preventing you doing it by yourself.

It was eventually brought to my attention that the manned tolls in the Timmelsjoch road (motorized traffic pay, bicycle don't) are not manned at night and the road gets physically closed. A bicycle there, at night, in between closed section is not a problem until/unless a problem occurs. Who comes if you ask to be rescued?
Although I don't see how the organisers would be legally liable if a (disqualified) participant is there outside the limit and gets in trouble, this is a hassle they very much prefer to avoid. Better not to be sued, than winning a legal fight. I think this is the reason they discouraged me from continuing. I I also think had I been stubborn to continue, they wouldn't have blocked me.
Of course the Innsbruck Polizei only shouted at me and almost insulted me. Rather unpleasant. But also not really his job to give me a nice explanation blah blah.

yesterday wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 2:38 pm I am little bit surprised that you did not have lights with you

Indeed. Error of judgement on my side.
I have very much experience, in various formats, in long distance outdoor events. Yet I keep repeating beginners mistakes

yesterday wrote: ↑Mon Sep 01, 2025 2:38 pm How did you get lost in Innsbruck, there are many signs to Brenner and Italy same as in Sterzing ? to Giovo (Jaufenpass)

Indeed it takes special skills. Which I have .

Thanks for the explanation!

Not happy today because I made it to Interlaken, one of the bestest place for mountain activities, and yet I'll probably spend most of the day stuck in the hostel because of rain.

Happy because the hostel is fantastic and full of nice people. And tomorrow it is forecasted dry and warm. I plan huge alpine cycling. Let's pretend I'm capable riding the bycicle, both uphill and downhill

Alberto wrote: ↑Fri Sep 05, 2025 8:27 am Not happy today because I made it to Interlaken, one of the bestest place for mountain activities, and yet I'll probably spend most of the day stuck in the hostel because of rain.

Happy because the hostel is fantastic and full of nice people. And tomorrow it is forecasted dry and warm. I plan huge alpine cycling. Let's pretend I'm capable riding the bycicle, both uphill and downhill

Good luck!
I'm sure you'll smash it!

Alberto wrote: ↑Fri Sep 05, 2025 8:27 am Not happy today because I made it to Interlaken, one of the bestest place for mountain activities, and yet I'll probably spend most of the day stuck in the hostel because of rain.

Happy because the hostel is fantastic and full of nice people. And tomorrow it is forecasted dry and warm. I plan huge alpine cycling. Let's pretend I'm capable riding the bycicle, both uphill and downhill

I was just there 10 days ago with a friend visiting from the US and the weather was picture perfect. I'm really sorry you missed that, but I'm glad you're making the most of things. I've always gone to that area by train for a long day trip as it's 3,5-4 hours from my home in Konstanz. It's doable for me on the cheap with an SBB day saver pass. I'd like to overnight there in the future. Are you at the hostel across from the big supermarket at Bahnhof Ost by chance? Or somewhere else?

So glad you got straight back on with a great ride, Alberto, and I hope you've had a ball

bethannbitt wrote: ↑Fri Sep 05, 2025 11:21 am I'd like to overnight there in the future. Are you at the hostel across from the big supermarket at Bahnhof Ost by chance?

I'm at the Balmers youth hostel, 3 nights.
The hostel itself is great. On top, full of many young minded people willing to connect. Overall fantastic place, very highly recommended.

Happy today because I had one of the bestest bicycle ride of my life here in Switzerland. Maybe maybe I redeemed myself from the bitter defeat in Tirol a week ago.

Not sure why I can't attach a screenshot, yeah, whatever...