Last April I took a train to a lake in Bavaria I wanted to visit after seeing a photo of it online. Upon my arrival in Germany, I wanted a baseline knowledge of places near where I live that I could visit on a day off. I looked up “must see” places, and Kochel am See was on the list.
Kochel is the name of the town, and “am See” is essentially saying “at the lake.”
When I visited this lake for the first time last year, I hadn’t yet purchased my bike. It took me a couple more weeks to pull the trigger on my trusty steed, an investment I originally struggled to make. As I have said time and time again – I cannot imagine my life in Germany without my bike.
A short while after I bought Frosty (my bike) I had thoughts of what it would be like to bike to Kochel. It wasn’t close by any means, but it wasn’t so far that it was unattainable. I tucked the thought into the back of my mind for a looonnngg winter of cold and dreary weather.
As soon as the brightness of spring started to come back, so too did my suppressed “stay down in the basement” thoughts of biking to Kochel.
It wasn’t that I didn’t want to return to visit the lake, it was that the mileage (or kilometers if you’re not a behind the times American like me) intimidated me. The self doubt was running rampant in my mind spouting grawlix like phrases of negativity.
I avoided the bike ride to Kochel, favoring closer/more comfortable distances instead. These shorter, but equally laudable rides were necessary for me to send my self sabotaging mindset to the gutter where it belonged. It was time to destroy the narrative I had created in my mind.
I had two options with regard to biking to Kochel: I could go as far as comfortable and turn around (or worst case if for some reason my bike exploded or my leg got mauled by a rogue centaur, I could take a train home), or I could stay in my comfort zone telling myself “you can’t do it.”
I decided to play my cards with the possibility of seeing a centaur.
I chose a day I knew would have sun, but when I started it was cold. Brutally cold. I wanted to turn around many times, until I made it to an area of the bike path I’d not been before. Something about new territory always sparks a flame in my brain similar to the adrenaline one might feel when lifting a car off of a horse.
And by someone, I mean Superman. And by a horse, I mean anyone in distress. You get the idea.
As if planned, the moment I found a new to me bike path the sun came out. You can’t make this stuff up folks! My doubts were washed away, and I continued to tell myself “you can always turn around.” I know my personality, and I am stubborn as hell so turning around is usually not an option – but just telling myself it was (and believing it), was all I needed.
The path to Kochel was beautiful, as all of the paths in Bavaria are, and I felt rejuvenated in my solitude riding through new to me locations. I made it to the lake and was feeling great (to the lake was about 25 miles, a distance I cover almost daily – so it was nothing new…yet.)
I sat and enjoyed the view, savored a snack, and enjoyed the warm sun on my skin.
Before biking back to Garmisch, I explored some of the surrounding areas as well. I was already there, and knew I likely wouldn’t be back so I wanted to see some other new to me places. I stopped by the town next door called Schlehdorf, to get a closer look at Cohaus Kloster Schlehdorf, aka the town monastery.
I also rode a few extra miles to see another smaller, and much less impressive lake called Eichsee.
After Eichsee it was time to head home, so I settled into the two hour ride ahead. Overall I felt strong, and I felt good. It wasn’t until around mile 45 I started to slow down. I was about ten miles from home, so I took a break by the river and ate the rest of my snacks.
I knew the remaining ten miles would be trance like, I had ridden them many times. I zoned out in an attempt to make them less uncomfortable.
I made it home, and my total milage for the day was 54 miles, or 88 kilometers. I was elated. It wasn’t the distance, or the lake, or the day full of adventure that brought such a warmth to my heart, it was the proof that I AM MY OWN WORST CRITIC. I put this ride off for months because the distance intimidated me, I told myself it was too much for my body, when really I have all the tools to make this activity possible.
The tools for me are different than the tools are for you, or for Sally, or Shaun. Life with an autoimmune disease is unpredictable and it takes attention to detail to make these goals a reality. Proper nutrition, proper hydration, proper rest, and a proper pace. These are boundaries we all have, they just vary person to person.
Some days I wake up and I know right away a 55 mile bike ride (I rounded up) is not an option – and that’s ok, but what’s not ok is never trying because I assume my body can’t do something. What’s not ok is forgetting all the good days I have because I’m dwelling on the not so good (physically) days.
The strength of your mind determines the quality of your life, and my life felt pretty high class after crushing this goal. The lake was not the goal for this day, the goal was to push myself further away from my black and white thinking, and to remind myself I don’t have to go fast – I just have to go. I’ll never know what I can do unless I try.
It just so happened that this day was also my one year anniversary with Frosty. I think we celebrated well, don’t you? 🙂
Q: Can you think of a time you surprised yourself with your capabilities?
Blissfulbritt 
20 thoughts on “88 Kilometers to Kochel (am See)”
thechrisdotcom
Just recently I painted a little canvas. I watched a YouTube video on a step by step tutorial. Art and I do not get along. I am very creative and have a big imagination but I have no patients with drawing and art because I don’t just have that artist touch. But I actually did pretty well and took my time and didn’t rush it. It’s not the best and I still got frustrated with myself but in the end I got a lot of compliments. Don’t expect me to keep picking up a paint brush but I’m not afraid to try something new. Great read and like always your photos are awesome. Stay safe and keep smiling.
Brittany
That’s awesome! I’m too much of a perfectionist for paint, but I do think it’s a great creative outlet. Since I’m working on the perfectionism, I should try painting!
thechrisdotcom
I wanted to get outside this last weekend but it dumped rain Saturday and Sunday wasn’t possible due to other things. I wanted to ride my bike so bad. But got stuck instead watching lightning and listening to thunder. Then made a hemp bracelet and painted again. Arts and crafts aren’t my thing but it was quite relaxing.
Brittany
Biking is SO addicting!! But crafts are a good sub for Scheisse weather
rootchopper
Bravo! 55 miles is quite a long way.
I had a couple of did-I-really-just-do-that moments on my cross country ride. Riding up Rogers Pass in Montana, the continental divide, was one. A woman at the top was laughing at me as my face of determination changed to amazement. (I had five more passes to go in four days across Washington. I GOT THIS!)
A couple of weeks later I smelled salt in the air for the first time. A day later I saw the bridge to Hidalgo Island. I made it across the country. Dang.
I love that you called it a trance. It’s my happy place on a bike.
Don’t let your autoimmune disease be the boss of you. Recognize it. Meditation teachers say “give it a name.” Maybe you can call it Bruce. Imagine it’s a hunky dude with a V pack.
Brittany
Your cross country trip is something to be proud of! One day I hope to accomplish that.
My autoimmune disease is named Alfred! So, we’ve got that covered…now if I could just appreciate him more. 😂
rootchopper
Does this make you Batgirl?
Brittany
HA. Something like that. 😉
Pam
Sometimes it’s like just being able to get out of the bed….other times its that unexpected moment when you accomplish a task or an excercise and you realize You did it👋👋👍
When You are thirty plus more years older You will see how truly wonderful it is to be able to complete even some of the simplistic things☺️
I’m finding JOY in the little things….and
All of a sudden they are Big things….
Bring on the world 😊🙏❤️🙋
Not going down without a fight…..Seize the Day👍
Brittany
I have been posting a lot about these grandeur adventures, but I really am starting to appreciate the little things more! My body appreciates it too.
gpavants
Hi Brittney,
Wow! That’s on a mountain bike. I salute you because that a lot of work. I do a road bike and 55 miles is totally different.
Great job!
Gary
Brittany
Surprisingly my mountain bike does really well! A handful of the terrain is gravel so I appreciate having thicker tires!
Josh dV
You are such a bad-ass! I love it! I love it all.
Brittany
Bahaha thank you friend!
Amy
SOOOOOO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!!! 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 The mental stories we tell ourselves are the hardest ones to shake off and change… So it’s INCREDIBLY inspiring to both hear and see what you were able to achieve!! YOU GO GIRL!! ❤️ When I used to run, new scenery did the same thing for me too. I forget how many miles I’ve already run (or still have to run!), almost zone out, and just enjoy observing everything around me. Somehow, it just quiets the inner critic that so often runs rampant in my brain. 😜 PS Definitely a great way to celebrate your one-year anniversary!
Brittany
Something about monotony makes difficult tasks more difficult! Specifically physical ones. Even if I know I am biking somewhere new, sometimes I have to talk myself into going because I don’t always want to repeat my same path just to get there. HA!
Rocco’s Tacos
I’m gonna go ahead and ask the big question on everybody’s mind, knowing this thing was the true power behind your day’s journey, and we would all be encouraged to push our limits as we look to you as an example. So please tell us…
What was the snack you savored at the lake? 🙂
Brittany
Pieces of a chicken breast and a plain baked potato. 😂 I shouldn’t be the example for what to eat, as all human bodies process food differently, but perhaps I can instead inspire others to figure out which foods make them feel their best. Which in turn will help them to perform their best. 🙌🏻
MK's Quill
I envy you!
Brittany
🤪🤪