Ben's off...

I've had a wonderful time here attempting to sample everything Bavaria can offer... but everything has to end sometime. For anyone who hadn't worked it out yet I'll be back to Edinburgh midway through the Oktoberfest. I've enjoyed my time in Garching, especially at the Biergarten, and thought it was time to share this little gem with the rest of the TT massive as a bit of a going away get together away from the usual spots on Saturday the 9th of September. It will be the first TT drinks that I've not had to travel after as well, which makes it rather unique! It takes a little bit of getting to, but then that is part of the fun - and it was voted by Suddeutscher Zeitung as one of the top five in the whole of Germany. The biergarten is kiddie friendly, it even has a playing area that you can see from where you drink your beer... kids welcome, in fact anyone welcome who wants an excursion from Munich. We'll be kicking off at 2pm, probably there until it gets dark or cold. Weather being as unpredictable as it is I will confirm that things are going ahead at the latest at 11am on Saturday.

Transport Options:

• MVV Take the U6 to Garching Hochbruk and then the 290 bus (it goes from the North end of the platform) until you get to the stop called Muhlgasse. Walk along the road, also called "Muhlgasse", in the direction out of town. It's a nice tree lined avenue. At the end the beer garden is on your right, and if you go over a river you've gone too far. It should take about 35 minutes from Marienplatz. An XXL tageskarte gets you to Garching.
• By bike take the Isar cycling route all the way North of the city on the West bank and continue until you have to cross a road rather than go under a huge bridge. The turning is signposted "Garching", and you will go along the road for a hundred meters or so and then through a little tunnel. Turn left at the far end and continue for about another half kilometer and then go right on a clear track through the fields. Follow the signs for the biergarten when you approach the town. I usually allow 45 minutes to go from Marienplatz, may take you longer or shorter!
• By car get to Garching, and then follow the signs for "Biergarten" and "Muhlenpark". You can park nearby in the school car park. Takes about 15 minutes from Schwabing if the traffic is light on the motorway. If it's heavy take the Landstrasse - much quicker.

More details of the biergarten can be found here

And a map...

It's been pointed out to me by PM that due to the Pope's visit you won't be able to get on the Ubahn between Marienplatz and Universitat. Should be fine from North Schwabing though. Details of disruption here

Really sorry to see you go Ben and even sorrier that I am away that weekend!

You're leaving a fantastic legacy in the Ultimate Frisbee group (I am a total addict now thanks to you!) and I am sure it will keep rolling (spinning?)... Hopefully see you back from time to time though?

I'll be there fo shizzle, going to miss your fatherly prescence, Ben!

Me will be there too.
I only hope I can remember where I last left my bicycle.

Nice Beergarden, I'll be along. Weather permitting of course, who wants to head here by bike. I'd rather get lost in numbers than on my own!!

Glad to hear you're able to get yourself back to Edinburgh! I wish I could join your leaving do. I love the Garching Biergarten!

will be there, almost deffo

Can't make it, unfortunately.

Got our Aussie Rules Grand Final on that day...

Thanks guys - It will be great to see those who can make it and I'm certain that I'll see those that can't before I head off. Slightly concerned about being a fatherly presence to someone who is older than me, but, er, thanks Jay!

Sorry to hear that you haven't changed your mind, Ben!
Although I wish I could make it I will be away that weekend - but if my plans fall through for whatever reason I definitely will.
Will you be going to UF on Wednesday though?
I would treat you to a beer in the beergarten afterwards...

Ben, I'd love to see you off too but I"m on holiday as well. Going to any TT events next week?

No worries Tara. Will be at the quiz on Monday, and probably a few other things too. I'm afraid I was starving when I got back from the airport and with nothing in the house attacked your branflakes... and most of the rest of them have gone the same way over the course of the last two weeks!!

bummer Ben that you are leaving, and I cannot make the event... its a hash saturday.
Wish you the best of luck back in Scotland.

Will do my best to make it along mate

I am deeply shocked and disapointed in you Ben. Stealing a girl's Branflakes! How low can one go?

I'll try to catch up with you during the week

goodness, certainly seems like the perfect timing for another visit!

Cor - all the way from Paris. Splendid!

no promises, mind, but we'll see what we can do. would be lovely to see you, and see you off.

I should be there, God willing and the seas don't rise.

I cant make it but hopefully see you tomorrow, if not, well we'll always have Schwabinger 7.

Only met you once or twice Mr Panter, but I shall be along to drink to your good health. Nice and local for me, although having said that, haven't been to this biergarten for a year or maybe even two.

I can't make it either, as I have a day full of torture planned, but hope you have fun, and see you in Edinburgh next time I'm there!

is there a rain plan? I hear the weather isn't supposed to be very good.

now that really *does* sound like fun

They have a little roofed area running round the edge of the beer garden for when it rains, plenty of covered seating - so if it is generally nice with risk of showers it'll still go ahead. If the weather is atrocious in the morning they won't open the garden, and I'll cancel - at the latest by 12am here on the thread. In that case I imagine it will be somewhere in town, but I haven't got a plan where so far - will decide nearer the time.

Incidentally, forcast at the moment is for sun and no rain, although of course it's too far in advance to say anything really.

will there be people with little kiddies showing up, or will it be all grown-ups?

Possibly, yes. You don't have to sit near them if you don't want to though! Majority will be 20's/30's I think

i don't mind people with kiddies, and i don't mind sitting next to them

So little kiddies then

The forecast is still fur sun and more sun, temps in the low 20's.
Perfect.

might not make this after all
I might feel better tomorrow, though

I just saw this and will def try to be there!

So anyone fancy going along by bike?

I plan on going. (But not by bike -- wouldn't want to do the ride home).

Ben - only met a couple of times mate, but all the best. Have a nice evening tomorrow - I would suggest the highlight will be laughing at 3 Lions when he attempts the ride home.

Anybody wanna group up so that we can use the partner tages card thing.. we can get five people on one ticket, so it'll be cheaper to get out there.

Planning on the following...
13:03 Uhr ab Münchner Freiheit U-Bahn U6
13:19 Uhr an Garching-Hochbrück Garching-Hochbrück
13:22 Uhr ab Garching-Hochbrück Regionalbus 290
13:31 Uhr an Garching, Mühlgasse Garching, Am Mühlbach
13:31 Uhr ab Garching, Mühlgasse Fußweg ca. 8 Minuten
13:39 Uhr an Ziel

3 Lion's route home:

23:00 Uhr ab Biergarten
01:00 Uhr Unfall
02:00 Uhr Krankenhaus
05:00 Uhr an Ziel

Plan is, go by bike, come home via U-Bahn.

I'll be there!

Cheers Jimbo. If I can manage to lift aim a camera by the end of the afternoon I'll see what I can capture of the 3 Lions / Drivinwest comedy duet.

Just a quick note for anyone who is MVVing it, you can also take the 291 as far as the 'Maibaum' stop and then walk round the back of the construction site to get to the beer garden. Just ask any local and they'll show you the way, they generally don't bite.

Editted to sound less dodgy.

Was gonna say - first you don't pay Tschibo and now you're nicking cameras out of beer gardens - you're a one man crime wave.

Yeup, someone has to maintain our former Empire's reputation. Anyone have a pith helmet?

i'm bringing more jaeger... as if enough wasn't consumed this week already.

I put this biergarten into the google earth file.

We plan to cycle weather-dependent, it's a nice route

I'm planning to bike up as well. Not sure what time exactly though...could end up being later on in the afternoon.

I intend to be there till late, so whatever time you make it is fine - be great to see you. Just as long as I can avoid looking like a billy-nae-mates at 2pm though!

I'm going to come along as well to say bye.

@IW - since you sound like you know where you're going I might join you on your partnertageskarte.