When returning from Iceland to Denmark (Hirtshals), I was worried if water got inside my Rohloff hub. On Iceland I had to ford several rivers and I wasn't sure about it. Up there, the Speedhub was about 10 times diving. This is, regarding to the Rohloff Speedhub handbook, not permitted. 

There were 3 weeks of the summer holiday left, when I decided to cycle to Rohloff AG in Germany. Hoping, that they check if water soaked inside my hub. Six days later, I was at the factory and shared my fear. I was positively surprised that the chief himself - designer and developer of the reliable Speedub, Bernhard Rohloff, took things in his hands. When sucking the old oil, we determined the liquid. Despite many "diving sessions" on Iceland, no water got inside the hub! 

The gearbox got filled with all season oil. Now, the Speedhub was ready for the next 5.000km. During the oil change, Bernhard Rohloff inspected my bicycle. He only complained that I didn't have an eye on my chain. He suggested that the chain gets shortened to the proper length. But this must be done on the next day. I answered him, that I can wait if I have a place to sleep. Bernhard pointed out the black sofa and asked whether I would like to sleep on it? I accepted the offer. 

We made a sightseeing tour through Kassel in the evening. After that we had dinner in a restaurant on a high hill in western part of the town. It was the same place where the famous Hercules monument is placed. I learned also that the writers of the Grimm's "Children's and Household Tales" (Brothers Grimm) are from Kassel. 

Next morning the bicycle chain was shortened. I was also guided though the Rohloff factory and got a view inside the manufacturing process. I must admit, that I thought that the facility would be much bigger than it really is. 

After thanking them and saying goodbye, I decided to cycle to Italy for a pizza and a coffee. 

A comprehensive story and the picture album of the summer tour 2014 will follow ...