Yes! I finished The Conqueror Tokyo Virtual Challenge 🥳

#VirtualChallenge

Today, Australia Day 2024 (January 26), I completed @the_conqueror_challenges Golden Triangle virtual #challenge . Since 9th January 2024, I received postcards for the Bengal Tiger, North Indian Cuisine, Qutb Minar, and Delhi.

#virtualchallenge #exercise #footbike #kickbike #cycling #goldentriangle #india

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2jDeYrxi42/?igsh=MW9pMjltMmc3MG85ag==

Since 29th December 2023, I've received postcards for Dausa and Jaipur on the_conqueror_challenges Golden Triangle virtual #challenge . I've now also completed more than 60% of the challenge.

#goldentriangle #goldentriangleindia #india #virtualchallenge #cycling #kickbike #kickbiking #footbike #footbiking #exercise

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1xi7yBBJjW/?igsh=MWx2MGljNTJ5aDFrcQ==

Since 18th December 2023, I've received a few more postcards as part of the the_conqueror_challenges Golden Triangle virtual #challenge : Fatehpur Sikri, Keoladeo National Park & Holi Festival. I've also completed more than 40% of the challenge.

#goldentriangle #india #virtualchallenge #exercise #kickbike #footbike #cycling

https://www.instagram.com/p/C1XygXkBDLM/?igsh=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

On 1st December 2023, I started a new The Conqueror Challenges virtual challenge: the Golden Triangle.

The challenge is 766km long. So far I have received the 3 postcards in this post, and completed 44.2km.

The Golden Triangle is a three-pointed journey through three of the most visited cities in India’s northwest. Beginning in Delhi, the challenge will take me southeast to Agra and the famous Taj Mahal, then head west to Jaipur, the pink city and finish back in Delhi. Along the journey there are ten UNESCO sites to explore, local flavours to taste, and natural and mechanical things to enjoy.

The plan is to complete the challenge by 1st March 2024 as a series of #kickbike rides.

#goldentriangleindia #goldentriangle #india #virtualchallenge #exercise #cycling #kickbiking #footbike #footbiking

https://www.instagram.com/p/C0YsYzZRGSl/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

#TheConqueror #VirtualChallenge #Paris
I did this one before my vacation and therefore had to wait with ordering the medal. Although this is a shorter distance it took me a while. I couldn't squeeze in the time for my daily walks anymore. I've been to Paris once. A long time ago. Don't have many memories. Just a few like Sacre Coeur. So it was nice to do a virtual tour there.

Time to start a new one. Currently learning Spanish, so how could I not join the Dia de Los Muertos trail? Route beginning and ending in Oaxaca, Mexico. #virtualchallenge #virtualmarathon
#TheConquerorChallenges

#VirtualChallenge #Yosemite.
That was the last of the USA national park challenges for me. And also the only park I've actually been to once. Just a daytrip from San Francisco. So I haven't seen much of it. I love the medal (of course, since it's made like a camera ;-) ). Not only the front, but also the back. Next: the city trips. :-) #TheConqueror

The #GandCanyon Challenge.
I struggled with this one. Not only because of the 451 km. It is a Colorado River rafting tour. So the scenery doesn't change much. It didn't feel like making any progress. Exploring the nearby area and reading the interesting stories was fun, though. It is a place I would like to visit someday. #TheConqueror #VirtualChallenge

On today's 6.1km #kickbike #ride I reached Füssen and completed the whole challenge on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

#romanticroad #germany #europe #cycling #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #exercise #virtualchallenge #exercisechallenge

On today's 11.7km #kickbike #ride I reached Halblech & Schwangau on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

On the banks of Halblech River is the small village of Halblech and its 3500 residents. Described as Bavaria’s largest nature reserve, Halblech is a holiday destination year round offering activities such as hiking, cycling, skiing and cross country skiing.

Surrounded by lakes and a mountainous backdrop, Schwangau is the second last town on the Romantic Road. Due to its proximity to the famous Neuschwanstein Castle and its neighbouring Hohenschwangau Castle, Schwangau is referred to as the “village of royal castles”.

#romanticroad #germany #europe #cycling #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #exercise #virtualchallenge

On today's 31km #kickbike #ride I reached Rottenbuch, Wildsteig, Peiting & Steingaden on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Rottenbuch is a small village with a mere 1800 residents but its history is deeply tied to the former 11th century Augustinian monastery. When the clergy was donated property, income and land by the Duke of Bavaria in 1073, they went about building a monastery followed by a church and providing rental properties to craftsmen and employees in their service.

In the foothills of the Alps sits the village of Wildsteig. This quiet community of 1370 residents is surrounded by the Ammergau and Allgäu mountains making it a great location for hiking, Nordic walking or cross-country skiing.

A mere 1.5mi (3km) southeast of Schongau, across the River Lech is the town of Peiting. First mention of the town was in 1055AD when a castle was built on the Schlossberg (castle hill). It is one of the oldest settlements in the area. After WWII around 1,500 refugees found their home in Peiting. To remember those who perished a memorial chapel was built and inaugurated in 1987. It is the town’s hope that the memorial will remind future generations of their history and “help to build bridges of understanding from person to person, from community to community, from people to people”.

The former monastery village of Steingaden has a long history tied to Steingaden Abbey. A 12th century monastery, it was originally built in a Romanesque style. Sadly the monastery suffered throughout the centuries when it was looted and burnt during the Peasants’ War in 1525 then nearly fully destroyed during the Thirty Years’ Wars. Rebuilt in a Baroque style in the 17th century the monastery came to an end during the secularisation in 1803. With the exception of the cloisters and the abbey church the rest of the buildings were auctioned off and demolished.

#romanticroad #germany #europe #virtualchallenge #exercise #cycling #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking

After approximately 10kms of #walking today, I reached Mueller Ranges in Western Australia on the Rundownunder virtual #walk / #run around #Australia . I've now walked / ran more than 5300kms since starting the challenge, and have about 8800kms to go to complete it.

#exercise #virtualchallenge #rundownunder #westernaustralia

On today's 14km #kickbike #ride I reached Schongau and Hohenfurch on The Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Located along the River Lech is the new town of Schongau. Although it is over 700 years old, the original Schongau used to be a few miles to the northeast of the current town. Sometime in the 13th century a large number of residents moved from the old Schongau and established a new settlement. When they left they took the town’s name with them.

On the banks of Schönach River sits the rural village of Hohenfurch and its 1500 residents. The village is surrounded by expansive meadows and forests and it is a holiday destination for those who enjoy a variety of activities such as hiking, cycling, horse riding and cross-country skiing to name a few. South of the village on a hill is the charming Gothic Chapel of St Ursula. Built around 1520 the chapel was dedicated to St Ursula, the patron saint of raftsmen.

#romanticroad #germany #europe #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #cycling #exercise #virtualchallenge

#Yellowstone #VirtualChallenge - #TheConqueror
I finished this one before my vacation but added the last steps later to postpone the shipping of the medal. My first challenge for a real place. They're different. You can follow the actual trip via Google Street View and check out the area. Besides the virtual postcards with a continuing storyline, you also get locations to explore further. With pictures, a video, and lots of interesting information.

5 Challenges, 4,5 months, 1062 km. And finally, the ring is destroyed! 😊 I don't want to sound dramatic, so I'm not saying these challenges have changed my life. But they provided the impulse to be on the move. Right now I walk 8 to 10 km on a daily basis. Since time is an issue I won't be able to continue like that "forever". But hopefully still regularly. Already doing the next challenge. On to many more. 😃 #TheConqueror #VirtualChallenge

On today's 10.4km #kickbike #ride I reached Weikersheim on @the_conqueror_challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Weikersheim is a small town of 7,358 residents but it is the Renaissance Palace and its Versailles style gardens that it is known for.

Weikersheim Palace was once the medieval seat of the princely House of Hohenlohe. Originally built in the 12th century, by the late 16th century it was rebuilt into a Renaissance Palace with the exception of the tall tower which was left as a symbol of its history. One of the most remarkable rooms is the ornate Mirror Cabinet. The walls in the room are covered with deep red wallpaper and decorated with gold trimmings, small mirrors and brackets to display the collection of porcelain, silver and precious stones figurines, and tin-glazed pottery from Ansbach, Germany.

The even more significant room is the 17th century Knight’s Hall. At 131ft (40m) in length, the entire wooden ceiling was attached to the roof structure without needing to use supports. Within each wooden frame is a painting of a hunting scene. The walls are decorated with stucco sculptures, large animal figures and grand master paintings. Entry is via a portal and directly opposite the room is the striking 30ft (9m) fireplace embellished with reliefs and figurines and the 15ft (4.5m) chandelier.

The outside gardens are a feast of symmetry and regularity. Designed as a continuation of the castle, the garden path is bordered by colourful flowers, sandstone sculptures of ancient gods and a large pool at the end. Box hedges surround floral beds, a central fountain has a statue of Hercules holding a dragon with its head tilted up spitting jets of water from its mouth and the orangery with its two wings, large arched windows and large stone figures on the roof is a greenhouse for palm trees, citrus plants and other exotic plants.

#romanticroadgermany #virtualchallenge #exercise #footbike #kickbiking #footbiking #cycling #germany

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtQYO-URevN/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

Today's 8.9km #kickbike #ride brought me to Tauberbischofsheim on the Conqueror Challenges Romantic Road virtual #challenge .

Tauberbischofsheim is located within the state of Baden-Württemberg on the Tauber River and it is the capital city of the Main-Tauber district. Based on prehistoric finds, the area was settled around 3,000BC, however, the first mention of the town was in 836AD and known as Bischofsheim (Bishop’s Place). Since other towns carried the same name in 1850 Tauber (the name of the river) was added to give its current name.

Landmark buildings such as Chapel of S. Peter, Kurmainz Castle and Türmersturm Tower were built in the 12th and 13th centuries and at one time the entire town was surrounded by a defensive wall. Half-timbered houses and the gothic revival town hall encircle the central plaza (marktplatz).

#romanticroad #germany #virtualchallenge #fitnesschallenge #exercise #kickbiking #footbike #footbiking #cycling

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtIpqbkrfgB/?igshid=MTc4MmM1YmI2Ng==

I feel observed. 😉 But I love how different all the medals are. #VirtualChallenge #TheConqueror

The 5th and last Lord of the Rings #VirtualChallenge is a tough one. 453 km... But with such nice weather as today it's a piece of cake (narrator: it is not 😜). But it's fun. And I still find unknown places to explore nearby.