Day 26 Mindelheim

While we were eating breakfast, the hotel owner called the local newspaperand by the time we had finished eating, we were being interviewed by Eva who was fascinated by out tour and wrote us up and took some photos of us with our bikes. The rain had cleared and we set off at a good pace. Mid morning, we had good hopes of reaching Munich early when I heard some allarming yelping from Daniel. I ulled over quickly to find Daniel writhing in pain.

A bee had become trapped under Daniels glasses and stung his eye. We applied what first aid we had and after a rest, decided to find the first train we could and head for Munich. After 10km we went to find a Pharmacy  - after trying 4, the rest were closed from 12-2PM for lunch - strange country - for some gel and advice, then took the train to Munich and our hotel. Daniel was shoingno serious reaction to the bee sting but went straight to sleep and I took our bikes for their 2000km service

Stats 42 Km - the rest - dont really care

Day 27 Munich - Munchen (with no Munchkins)

Rest, Explore, met my Mums friends, Dagmar and Fred, eating some cakes in the process... many cakes

Stats - N/A

Day 28 Munich - Friday

We rode through Munich admiring statues and magestic buildingsand again stopped on a bridge to marvel at the power of the raging brown river. A local named Karl rode with us for about 15k, attracted by our London to Istanbul jerseys.  He was intrigued and we chatted about many things.

The path was smooth and weather mild, low 20's and we rode well. At Wasserburg we had a kebap at a place called Istanbul - about the tenth we had seen by that name so far. A sharp climb out of Wasserburg and we stopped to take in the panoramic viewof the town and its brown river from above.  

We rode a quick 50km to Traunsteen on the river Traun for a well deserved ice-cream and then a 30km ride into Salzburg and Austria!!

Stats 154 Km, average 20km/hr, max 52, climb 640m 

Day 29 Salzburg- Saturday

The morning was spent climbing or fighting headwinds. A shortcut from Seekirchen to Hendorf through some lovley countryside with views of the waters of Wallesea. There were so many places to visit but so many Km´s to ride. We stopped at Frankenmarkt, Vöcklabruck and Wells, where there was a medieval festival. Rest assured massive Icecream sundaes were abound and had to be dealt with.  A man suggested we ride along the river to Linz, which sounded good, so we went to the banks of the river Traun and rode on a good surface.

People were walking, fishing, cycling and rollerblading along the path. After and hour it became too dark and we rode the last 15k on roads. 

Stats 136Km, Top speed 55Km/hr, Average 18Km/hr Climb 655m

Day 30 Linz - Sunday

What a great day! After fulfilling some sleeping commitments and testing the cake baking abilities of the Linz bakers (Pass with honours) we set off on the Danube. A massive river and a great bike path. The first sign we saw said that Douauradweg 1 (Danube Bike Route 1) was 220km to Vienna.

So we followed the path with good signage till it would dissappear as we reached towns. fortunately there were enough other riders to follow and we got through the towns without losing too much time.The conditions were good, setting and scenery exciting but the head wind stopped us getting up any decent speed and we stopped at our first "family Zimmer" for probably the best room of the tour.

Stats 83m, Top speed 56Km/hr, Average  22Km/hr Climb 120m

Day 31 Persenbeug - Gottsdorf 

We say jus (see ya) to family Leeb and head off into he mist. Mrs Leeb said it would be a good day and she was right. The sun came out and we saw the Donau in her full glory. There were lots of radfahrers of all types taking advantage of the path but not too many to slow us down as we had been warned. Cakes at Krems (fitting name) were just rich enough to keep us going.

We left the donau path after it led us in circles with some contradictory signage and took the road to Tulln for ice cream and drinks. The last 7km into Vienna (Wein) was along an island in the middle of the river that was throbbing with people. roller bladng, jogging, walking, cycling and getting in our way. We slowed  to a crawl but didnt ind. It was great to see Austrians taking advantage of the late afternoon sun and just doing it.

Annother 15km through the city to Shoenbrun Pallace and our lodgings. (not the pallace, it was open for viewing and we would have been in the way)

Stats Dist 152 Km, Average 21, Max 43, Climb 265m  

Day 32 Vienna - Wein - ate some schnizles last night

Today was deffinitely a day of four halves.

First attend to trivia like mailing our backpacks and sleeping bags home with bits ofclothing - decided to be ruthless with our loads. then back to the hotel to wake Daniel and get on the road. 

Second half, brisk ride on seemingly flat straight roads for quick 60km. slight headwind and the polar altimeter said we had been steadily climbing abbout 400mt but it felt easy enough.

Third half, at Gloggnitz confusion on map and road signage the sign definitely said the next turn was to the freeway and also our "road 17" yet we found ourselves on the freeway. We immedeatly pulled into a roadside stop to ask a truck driver or traveller how to get to raod 17. While we were discussing tis with some Lithuanians who spoke perfect English, a police car pulled in. The police wanted to know what we were doing on the freeway! They spoke no English and were reasonably good humoured.

They wanted to know how much money we were carrying and made us show our wallets. saying 40 eros wasnt enough. They told us the Highway patrol was coming and after half an hour The highway patrol came and started to get heavy with show of passports, again how much money do we have? The Fire Brigade would have to be called!! Another long wait and the Fire Brigade turned up to drive us off the freeway. The cute young girl from the FireBrigade stapped our bikes to the rear tray of her truck and drove us up to Semmering.

Fourth half - It was late and cold but the truck had saved us about 300m of climbing and we set out to complete the climb to our Hotel in Murzzuschlag. the mountain air was crisp and we rugged up and climbed briskly. we turned down hill as the real darkness set in and with lights on glided along in a slightly scary and tense mood through three empty towns (everyone goes to sleep at 8 in the mountains). Finally arriving at our hotel, releived.

Stats Dist 99 Km, Average 20, Max 45, Climb 775mt

  Email John at John@CycleOdyssey.com.au
 

< Previous Post