It is kind of senseless what you can make out of the most rudimentary and humble things. Even writing a post about it seems to be over-obscuring but I need to get that right. At least for myself.

I understand that people need images. I know that people love to relate. I know that people love to be seen as something they think they are. I am the same. Everyone to a certain extend is, I guess.

Especially in running it is a waste of time and energy. While one should put the focus on training or racing people are more fanatical becoming a marathoner, ultra-runner, mountain-runner, fell-runner, road-runner, trail-runner, stair-runner, backwards-runner, track-runner or whatever definition there is. Waste of time.

No matter the underground, surface or event. Running is simple and that is the utter magnificence of it. Put away all these images and styles and just enjoy the actual movement and the peace it delivers.

Track or Trail, Road or Stairs – it is just about being outside with yourself and putting one foot in front of the other.

Striding away around Laguna Del Laja, Chile.

Tune of the day: MC Rene – Mein Leben ist ein Freestyle

How could he explain to them his prayer
That nature, not art, might unsurp the canvas?
John Ashbery

Best thinkable Father’s Day spree. 34ish kilometre jog (Strava) on the one-and-only Neckarsteig with Hendrik. Bang on!

Tune of the day: DJ Premier – Watch Your Back

We call it Neckartal!

Me running up that hill.

Mister Auf’mkolk enroute to the Teufelskanzel.

I try my best to look fast in pictures.

King of the castle?

Oldskool vs. Newskool Brooks Kicks

This Strava Thingy certainly is fun.

Not sure about all those KOM’s, PB’s or CR’s but it is a great and motivating gimmick.

Get involved and follow me HERE.

Watching the competition.

Approaching just another small settlement in the la vallée du Rhin.

Over the bridge – First signs of French territory.

Charming riding along the Rhine channel.

Calm waters – Clouds are covering a windy rhine river.

Coffe and cake – café et gâteaux

I drove along that avenue.

As the drizzly rainfall gets drizzlier I enter the first long climb in the Vosges mountains.

Simply beautiful. Beautifully simple – Département Vosges

Must do – the distinctive cockpit shot.

Tarmac wave riding.

Leaving for the mountain top.

As I rode my bike into the Vosges I was already drenched. Starting in the long and windy flats of the German and French part of the Rhine plain I was dreadfully looking forward to some quality vertical.

I opened my wet soaked jacket and felt the crispy rain. The battery of my iPod just died a couple of minutes ago and I now can listen to the sweet loneliness of the French mountain roads.

The rain does not stop but I don’t care. The roads are rough and bumpy but I still roll. Joyfully.

Someone said the fun stops after 100k on your own. I opt for the opposite.

My breaks do not really break anymore. Finally I stop in front of my friend’s house.

Gazing at the watch I spend the entire day riding. Listen to the heart it feels like I just finished a two weeks holiday. Merrily.

Tune of the day: Ben Howard BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge Special

Before you might ask. This post is not sponsored!

Nonetheless I would like to give big shout-outs to my good friend Uli and his baby, Gran Fondo New York.

25 days from now on 7.000 cyclist’s from all over the planet will be competing in the 3rd edition of this unique event. Knowing Lidia and Uli, this year’s edition will easily top last years. Again.

Passionate and loyal organizer’s are not the norm these days. One can be 100% sure that the Fluhme household will deliver.

Best of luck if you are already signed up or if you are going to register in the next few days.

George Washington Bridge is waiting for you on Sunday May 19, 2013. Be ready!

There is a gigantic package filled with fanzines in the very, very back of my attic. Somewhere. This box is overflowing with memorials.

I was fascinated with football fanzines – those naive, black-and-white, handmade ‘zines. The only way to get special information “back in the days” was to go and buy the magazines. To get a certain issue you essentially had to travel to one of the few shop’s that were selling or be at a certain bar or stadium. The other option was to send some cash to some address somewhere. Sometimes one received a envelope and sometimes don’t.

I was tempted to throw away my collection several times. Everytime I tried to I found myself, hours later, sitting on the floor reading 15 year old mag’s over and over again.

When I heard of Dom’s “It’s the limit” ‘zine I was instantly hooked and ordered a copy. I wont go into details with the topics. Visit his page. Pay the money. Wait for the envelope to arrive. Get yourself a drink. Enjoy the magic. The Fanzine culture hasn’t lost anything. Paired with running – it is just thrilling and the right medium at the right time. Say’s me. Writing a blog…

If there is somebody around the scene that saw and sold every possible running trend throughout the past decades it must be Rosi and Hans.

Walking in the “Gulyas-Sport” running store in Karlsruhe is like walking into a museum. Black and white race advertisements, awards, shoes and equipment that is older than myself is very hard to oversee.

When Hans and his wife opened the shop they were the first one’s just retailing running gear and shoes in Germany. A lot has happened in the past 36 years. Bulky trainers, lightweight shoes, racing flats or the so-called natural running. The Gulyas household saw and sold it all – with a lot of passion.

Make sure to stop in the Lessingstr.51 on your next visit to Karlsruhe. A unique atmosphere paired with unbeatable knowledge and great products are waiting for you. Maybe for another 30 years and a lot of new trends.

PICTURES