Enjoying the Region before the Race

Well we are 4 weeks from race start and the training and the anticipation for the event really starts to amplify now. I think the greatest thing about the Quelle Challenge Roth is the carnival atmosphere of the town coming into the race. The people of Roth are amazing and have embraced this event for more than two decades. This is evident the minute you enter the town, where you will see posters of the race, people smiling and greating the new faces that have come for the event and the total excitment and buzz that engulfs the region coming up to the event.

For me I really take the time during this last week before the race to get in amongst the ocals and support many of the fine restaurants and businesses that are in the region. Many of the Americans who come for the event, tend to say in the beautiful town of Hilpolstein which is very close to the swim start and the solarberg climb that are legendary on race day. On the friday afternoon before the race, Hlipolstein has a fun run through the streets of its town that brings about 300 people to the town. It is a great carnival atmosphere and every year I see head out to this run to enjoy the after race feast. I give it to the Franconians, they have an amazing way of celebrating anything they do, and the beer and the food is aways flowing post any event.

This is well worth dropping by and having a look at. The small bakery in downtown Hilpolstein makes the most amazing cakes for the sweet tooth athletes. Actually for the non Europeans, these German bakeries are just incedible. I am constantly purchasing the salted bread sticks and sweet cakes. They are just devine. Make sure you take the time to check out some of these pleasures.

For those athletes staying closer to Roth itself or who are eading down to register, I recommend having a lunch or dinner atLeones restaurant in Roth centre. It really is an amazing italian meal and the servings are solid and tasty. It has a huge selection of Italian meals and a great ambience. You can sit either inside or outside and if the sun is shining and you are into a little people watching, I always enjoy a seat outside in the town square enjoying the scenery of this remarkable old town.

To try and recommend all the places to go in the final week before the race would be impossible. These are some of the favourite things I like to do. I always grab a "döner" at many of the local turkish take away restaurants. The "Döner Special" is my absolute favourite. It has a mix of salad and spices over some beef wrapped in pita read and it is cheap and tasty. As I have mentioned the bakeries in this region are incredible. You have a sample of many different breads and cakes that will keep your taste buds happy for your entire stay in the region.

The aray of restaurants to eat out in is huge. As I said, I really enjoy Leones and also the many beer gardens in the region, including the "wunderbar" in Roth, which serve great beer with lovely meals and has a great view when you enter.

As you will discover when you arrive in Roth, this town really embraces this event and the entire vibe and excitement washes over the businesses and the people. They are so friendly and helpful and really go out of their way to make sure your experience is perfect. It is these little things that make this race so special. It is an event that is embraced by a community, and you will see what I mean by this when you first arrive. I know this last week before any event is always a nervous one, but please get out and enjoy this region. Go and have a beer at one of the great beer gardens that litter the region. Go out an support the local restaurants and taverns. The food is remarkable. There is so much going on in the town in the ast week, that these little enjoyments will calm the nerves and really allow you to appreciate how incredibe this part of the world is and more so this event.

I hope to see you eating out when I am in town.

See you all very soon,

Macca