Day 0 – May 29, 2025
It took me quite a while to get my act together - in all sense of the word, even in the morning I was checking the weather report for the next coming days in the larger vicinity of Austria - and it was only then I decided on taking a train to Graz - with one eye also checking trains for the return journey from the south, wherever my destination would be. That day was a public holiday in Austria, so I was quite surprised finding a relatively cheap ticket, with a bike slot, for just €22. I booked it and headed for the station.
On the way there, I called a buddy of mine, Michi, who lives in Graz and asked him if he would be around. Yes, he was around, but told me he had a slight tummy flu, so was going to take a nap and would call me around the time I would arrive. For me, both options were fine, seeing my buddy - if not, I would start riding after I had arrived
Usually, my train rides are uneventful, but something weird happened this time. The conductor came and I presented her my ticket - she started fumbling around with it and then told me the ticket was for the wrong day. Oh boy. As I was checking the return options, I accidentally kept the date for the following week and that is the reason I had gotten a good deal - and that with a bike slot. For that day, the ticket would have been more expensive and all the slots were booked. I foresaw me having to pay a horrendous fine or having to get off at the next station, but something of a wonder happened - she said, as an exception, she would let me ride with that invalid ticket, better said, without the ticket. Well thank you, Austrian Federal Railways!
Michael ended up calling me that he was feeling way better and would be happy to meet up. He gave me his address a bit outside the center. After my arrival, I rode a bit around the city center, marveling at the peaceful town, a jewel box of sorts. Little did I know that the tranquility of this town would soon be shattered by a maniac, who slaughtered ten victims in a school before committing suicide. Terrible - but this was a week ahead.
Peaceful Graz (before the attacks)
Wonderful buildings
One one corner, a cool jazz band was performing, quite a crowd watching them. I stopped for a while to listen to the happy tunes.
Then I started riding towards the address given by Michi - first through the downtown, where no biking is usually allowed, then came a path (also no bikes allowed, but whatever) over a large hill to arrive at Michi´s place - riding just 10 kilometers that day He welcomed me, we chatted and ended up grilling that evening. He has three daughters and they showed up one after the next - and we had a great dinner, going to bed rather late.
Michi busy grilling
My buddy with his three daughters
There was a wonderful view from the garden to an impressive basilica, Mariatrost. I made a point to visit it the following day, as my first destination.
View from the garden