Cycling culture

Probably the best bike trails in the world – to use an old beer advertising slogan for this little country which not only provides dedicated asphalted trails through spectacular scenery, but adds artworks to entertain you along the way.  

Today I rode through the Salzach valley – the mountain tops dusted with a light sugar coating, the sky a cloudless blue, with the glorious tintinnabulation of cowbells tinkling, clanging and klonking as the curious cattle raised their heads from chomping the remaining grass, to watch me pass.



naked man - but a bit of a cock up?



On a bend where once was a tree, stood a naked man doing a handstand. The wooden figure was hewn from the remaining tree trunk. Further back, where a new bridge had been built three metal relief figures stood in classic dance poses. Along this part of the trail is also a huge wooden hammock slung between trees and a wooden figure suspended on his back by wires – all part of the cultural as well as physical experience.

Elsewhere schools and artists have together created a trail of artworks together with great stories to explain what happened, for example, when the Chugger-Luggers landed their space ship on this bike trail instead of in Africa.

Could there be a link between the quality of these safe and attractive bike routes.the popularity of cycling for everyone from tiny children to people in their eighties, and the high standing of Austria in the Happy Planet Index, and the generally good health of the nation as a whole?   

The Chugga Luggers landed in the wrong place?