Day four of our journey from Munich to Lake Garda has come to an end, and what a day it was! Today's leg from Trento to Torbole covered 65 km with a total elevation gain of 1130 meters. Let me tell you, every single meter was worth it!

Instead of our usual morning strength training, I opted for a peaceful early morning walk through Trento. Seeing the city wake up in its quiet beauty was a fantastic start to the day. Definitely a worthwhile change of pace!

Then, the climbing began. Almost immediately after leaving our hotel, we were faced with the Passo Bondone. It was a tough ascent, no doubt about it, even featuring a short segment where we had to hop off and push for the first time on this tour. But the feeling of finally reaching the top? Absolutely brilliant!

The reward for all that effort was a long and glorious descent that led us to the picturesque Lake Cavedine. We stopped for lunch at Lido Paradiso, and the name couldn't have been more fitting. Paradise really does feel close around here!

Fuelled up, we continued towards our final destination, making a quick espresso stop just past Arco. This town is well-known for its rock climbing scene, and it felt like we were in the home stretch, being just north of Torbole.

Finally, we arrived in Torbole and checked into our hotel. But the day wasn't over yet! We couldn't resist trying out a local recommendation: a bar with a view high above Lake Garda. So, we dropped off our luggage and hopped back on our bikes, tackling a gravel route up to the Pinnacle Alto Belvedere. The view from up there was simply stunning! 😍

To top it all off, we had some well-deserved ice cream, I may have bought some incredible cycling socks (you can never have too many!), and we even managed a quick dip in the hotel pool.

Now, we're absolutely wiped out, and we haven't even had dinner yet! Looking back, this day was just incredible. So many memorable moments, but reaching that final bar with that breathtaking view definitely takes the cake.

Tomorrow marks the end of our cycling adventure. We'll be taking a bus back home to Munich. Fingers crossed for a smooth journey without any major traffic jams! Stay tuned for a final wrap-up of our TransAlp adventure!

Day three of our journey from Munich to Lake Garda is in the books, and what a day it was! We rolled out of Brixen around 9 am under a perfect blue sky. It wasn't long before the sunshine had us shedding layers – off came the long shorts!

Today's leg to Trento was a welcome change in terms of elevation. With a total distance of 109 km and only 300 meters of climbing (compared to a glorious 600 meters of downhill!), we knew we were in for a potentially faster day. And that's exactly what happened! The cycle paths were fantastic, allowing us to eat up the kilometers at an amazing pace.

Around lunchtime, we found a charming bistro right by the route. Lunch under the shady trees was a welcome respite before the next part of our journey. The best was the banana split ice cream for the desert… wow 😲 😲 😲

Then came an unexpected challenge: a long, straight segment directly into a rather persistent headwind. Combined with the glaring sun, this stretch definitely tested our legs and our resolve!

A little later, we made a pit stop at a "bicigrill" – a cyclist-friendly rest area. Here, I discovered a new Italian favorite: Chinotto! It's not as sweet as Coke and has a pleasant, slightly bitter taste. Highly recommended if you ever get the chance to try it!

Upon arriving at our hotel in Trento, we were a little surprised to find that using the sauna/spa would cost an extra 28 Euros. Given the already sweltering temperatures, we made a quick decision: we'd trade the hotel spa for a visit to the beautiful city of Trento itself, followed by a well-deserved dinner! A much better way to spend our evening, we reckoned.

Looking ahead to tomorrow, our final day on the bikes, we couldn't help but notice the constant traffic jams on the nearby Autostrada and Brenner Autobahn that paralleled much of our route. It gives us a slight sense of foreboding for our bus journey back on Sunday... fingers crossed for a smoother ride! Stay tuned for the final leg of our adventure tomorrow!

Servus from Italy! Day two of our ride from Munich to Lake Garda is in the books, and what a day it was! Today's leg from Innsbruck to Brixen covered 101 km and involved a challenging 1600 meters of climbing.

Let me tell you, those meters definitely made themselves known! We kicked things off with a fantastic breakfast, fueling up for what we knew would be our toughest climb yet: the ascent to Brenner. Luckily, the weather gods were on our side! The forecast had looked a bit iffy, but we started in fresh morning temperatures that were just perfect for getting the legs turning. It wasn't long before the climbs themselves warmed us up nicely.

Around lunchtime, we reached Matrei am Brenner and enjoyed a well-deserved break at a charming local coffee shop for our first snack of the day. That little boost was exactly what we needed to tackle the next part of the journey.

Then came the reward for all that climbing: glorious downhill! We enjoyed some incredibly fast sections on what can only be described as perfect Italian cycle ways. Seriously smooth and a joy to ride.

Our first taste of Italian coffee culture came in Sterzing, where we stopped for an espresso right in the city center. That little shot of energy and the atmosphere of the town was definitely one of the memorable moments of the day.

Of course, no adventure is without its little surprises! We encountered a closed cycle lane, but with our collective team power, we managed a quick detour and arrived at our hotel in Brixen around 7 PM. After a much-needed quick shower, there's only one thing on our minds: pizza!

We're absolutely starving and ready to indulge in some real Italian pizza. I can almost smell it already!

The adventure has officially begun! Today marked the next leg of our journey from my home near Munich towards the beautiful Lake Garda. And we've met all that join us: Anja, Andreas and Christian joined us from today.

Our destination for today was Hall in Tirol near Innsbruck. The 85 kilometers we covered came with their fair share of climbing. We kicked things off with some fantastic gravel sections. Let me tell you, there were some seriously steep climbs and technical terrain that definitely got the legs burning right from the get-go. But the reward for those efforts wasn't far behind.

Then came a moment of pure Bavarian bliss: a Leberkäs-Semmel! Seriously, after those tough gravel climbs, this simple yet delicious lunch was absolutely fabulous. Fueling done right!

Next up, we reached the breathtaking Achensee. Wow! The pictures don't quite do justice to the stunning beauty of this lake. It was a real highlight of the day, and a perfect backdrop for our cycling adventure. And can you believe it? The weather held up beautifully for most of the day. We only encountered a light drizzle about an hour before reaching our hotel in Hall in Tirol.

Perfect timing, if you ask me! Just when the legs were starting to feel the mileage, Anja spotted an ice cream stop. Pure genius! Those sugary calories were so incredibly welcome and provided the perfect little boost for the final stretch.

Upon arrival in Hall in Tirol, we checked into our hotel and immediately made a beeline for the sauna. After a day on the bike, those two hours of relaxation were absolutely deserved and did wonders for the tired muscles.

To cap off the day, we found a nice restaurant nearby. All that cycling definitely worked up an appetite! Daily Stats: 85 km, 600+ meters of climbing.

We're now refueled and ready for tomorrow, which promises to be the toughest day of the tour. We'll be tackling the Brenner Pass and a significant 1500 meters of climbing in a single push. Wish us luck! Stay tuned for tomorrow's update as we conquer the Brenner!

The adventure has officially begun! Today marked Day 0 of our journey from my doorstep in Puchheim towards the stunning Lake Garda. My riding buddy Manfred joined me for this initial leg, and what a fantastic start it was.

Our route today took us south from Puchheim, and almost immediately we found ourselves gliding along beautiful cycling paths and quiet country roads.

Covering a distance of 92 kilometers with a respectable 710 meters of elevation gain, it was a perfect warm-up for what lies ahead. For a good portion of the ride, the crystal-clear waters of the Isar River were our constant companion. We enjoyed a lovely stretch without any rain, but then the skies opened up for about an hour. Thankfully, it wasn't too heavy and passed quickly.

Reaching Bad Tölz, we continued our southward trajectory, eventually passing through Lenggries. The true highlight of the day awaited us just beyond: the breathtaking Sylvensteinspeicher, a massive water reservoir nestled amidst the Bavarian Alps. And right there, on its shores, was our hotel for the night!

We had initially planned to refuel at the Moar-Wirt for lunch, but as it turned out, they were closed on this Tuesday. However, Lenggries offered a delightful alternative, and after hours in the saddle, a hearty meal was definitely in order!

The afternoon was all about recovery. A refreshing shower was followed by a relaxing session in the hotel sauna – just what our legs needed after the first day's effort.

Feeling rejuvenated, we couldn't resist taking an evening stroll to get a closer look at the majestic Sylvensteinspeicher. The views were simply stunning – I managed to capture a gorgeous image that I can't wait to share with you all!

We also took the opportunity to record some audio notes about our day.

Tomorrow marks another exciting step: we'll be meeting up with the rest of our TransAlp team. Fingers crossed for good weather as our adventure truly kicks into high gear!

Stay tuned for Day 1!

Based on the original blog post, this episode discusses how social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn create a distorted view of reality by showcasing only curated, positive aspects of people's lives. This curated content, amplified by algorithms designed to maximize engagement, fosters a "filter bubble" and leads to unrealistic comparisons. Sven argues that prioritizing real-world interactions and mindful social media use are crucial to achieving a balanced perspective and building authentic connections. He advocates for a hybrid approach, combining online and offline communities for a healthier digital experience. Ultimately, the post encourages self-reflection on our relationship with social media and its impact on our well-being.

Sven Haiges's blog post, "Future-Proofing Your 2025," predicts major tech trends for the upcoming year. Key areas explored include advancements in AI, encompassing agentic AI and AI governance; new computing paradigms like quantum computing and green cloud initiatives; the synergy between humans and machines, focusing on spatial computing and neurological enhancements; and emerging technologies such as improved personal health tech and more affordable electric vehicles. The author also highlights the growing importance of blockchain technology and expresses concern about the lack of focus on sustainability within the tech sector, urging a move towards truly green practices. Finally, the post considers the potential job market impacts of AI and automation, suggesting a need for strong business and soft skills.

This blog post by Sven Haiges explores the importance of friendship for well-being. Sven emphasizes the value of shared experiences, particularly those outside of typical social settings, in fostering deep connections. He contrasts friendships based on shared interests with those characterized by vulnerability and mutual support, arguing that a blend of both is ideal. He discusses the natural ebb and flow of friendships, the evolution of work relationships into friendships, and the importance of prioritizing in-person interactions in a digital age. Finally, he advocates for stepping outside one's comfort zone to strengthen bonds and create lasting memories.

Sven Haiges reflects on a year in the Web3 space, detailing his experiences with NFT projects, business integrations of Web3 technologies, and community building. He highlights lessons learned from various NFT drops, successful implementations of Web3 solutions within SAP, and participation in thriving Web3 communities. His overview emphasizes the evolving utility of NFTs beyond initial hype, focusing on loyalty programs and the continued potential for Web3 innovation. He expresses optimism for the future of Web3 and its transformative impact across industries.

This is an experiment using Google’s Notebook LM and it’s audio conversation feature. If that works well, I will most likely continue and turn some posts into audio like this. This episode is all about recapping the Codefreeze 2025 conference.