Crikey - yeah that's really something. I was wondering about this, as I've recently moved from a (pretty cheap) set of steel chainrings to Aluminium - mostly for weight, the steel ones weighed a ton. I guess there must have been some intrinsic production flaw to fail like this though?

Wine... the new biking recovery drink! Sounds like you had a good day, even with the change in route. Good luck with the pass tomorrow!

I think you need to have pizza for breakfast to make it three meals in a row, including the wine.

Say hi to Ötzi!

Quite a climb, but sounds like you have respect from the other drivers in areas you are in. Italian soup sounds different.

Benvenuti in Italia!

Just watching your pass descents scares the crap out of me! :-O

Again so lucky you were able to fix the brakes, I would of been terrified if they were smoking when going downhill in those mountains. The windy paths with the cows looks nice but I wouldn't of been able to handle any cliffs.

You have been lucky on this trip when problems with your bike have come up. Yes your hotel was nice and beautiful countryside. Lets hope it doesn't rain

Any refund on the mountain bike rental or at least a discount?!? Reminded me of coming down the volcano with smoking breaks and having to stop to let them cool off before we careened off the island! Maybe that experience helped :) Another wonderful day and adventure. Love the blogs!!

Nothing like an audience to cheer your wakeboard faceplants. Pretty amazing too that you found a bike shop close to the implosion zone. Would have been sketchy to have that happen on an ascent in the middle of the Bavaian alps with only the cows to commiserate. This detour of a day turned out to be a 10 afterall. well done.

I'm finally caught up on your blog. I can't believe all of the obstacles and setbacks you've had to overcome: closed roads, crazy drivers, bad weather, language barriers, and no brakes— Ach du lieber! But you still manage to keep going...and not only that, you manage to have enough energy to wake board (geez, I hardly do anything all day, and by 5:00 p.m. I'm ready to veg in front of the TV). Wishing more beautiful scenery and zero bikes troubles for the rest of your journey.

Whoa! That is one majorly tweaked chain ring!! Really glad you were able to find an (imperfect) fix to keep you going. By the way, I agree totally with you about kickstands: I consider them as "essential gear" on a tour. Cordi and I both have them and they have been really handy on our trips. It saves you so many annoyances, makes it so you can stop anywhere, and reduces how many times the bike falls over. So good move! Any way to tackle that wake board!

Hi Erik—
I had to take a break from your blog while I was on a road trip with Mark (going to Glacier NP and Canada), so I'm still catching up (only at July 17). I cracked up when I read your post from Karlsruhe and getting profiled by the kitchen staff!!! Loved hearing Axel's memories of my dad too. You're right— he would have been very proud of you and your adventure; he was definitely an adventurer himself, and traveled extensively around the world. You definitely got the Brünner Wanderlust gene!

Enjoy the Kirschbrand!