By Sebastian Herrmann
Road cycling tours leave traces not only on the body but also on the mind. Many spots and places along my routes are tied to conversations or thoughts I once had there. This curve between Maising and Pöcking, south of Munich, holds such a connection. In February 2022, just a few days before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the legendary J. – neighbor, friend, cycling companion – and I discussed whether Putin would give the order to attack.
“Do you think the Russians will really do it?” I asked the legendary J. Back then, the thought was still beyond what I could imagine.
“Of course, they will,” replied the legendary J. with his inimitably concise pragmatism.
He was right, unfortunately. Since then, this curve has been forever linked to that conversation for me – even when I passed by it again recently.
In a way, a part of the drive behind our plan for the Chainreaction Bike Convoy for Ukraine stems from this very spot.