Yearly Archives: 2018

Stage 10 – Tough decisions required !!

We’re in a bit of a dilemma! Stage 10 to Bratislava is over 60km and this presents a few issues / problems!!

Firstly the bikes have decided to give up – next to no electrics and few gears working now ?!?  No Sparta bike service shops anywhere near us (or in Austria!?!), secondly, the heatwave continues with temperatures extremely hot by late morning, thirdly, whilst Bev’s health has improved she’s not fighting fit yet!

What shall we do ??????

Continue reading Stage 10 – Tough decisions required !!

The tour continues to HEAT UP !!

From Krems to Tulln (Stage 8)

and from Tulln to Vienna (Stage 9)

The heatwave continues as we push off towards Tulln passing the large Hofer (Aldi) sign, marinas, through wild native flowers and ancient roman buildings. We down cold refreshments at the Big Bear cafe in front of the non-functioning Nuclear Power Plant, built in 1979 – but never used.

Continue reading The tour continues to HEAT UP !!

Stage 2 and Bev’s in YELLOW JERSEY !

Day:     Sunday 22 July 2018

Start:  Engelhartszell, Austria

Destination:   Aschach an der Donau, Austria

Distance Travelled:   45km

Accommodation:   La Mamma Pension

Weather:      Scattered showers, overcast & low cloud, 20 deg

Interesting things:

  • the Three Billy Goats Gruff
  • Interesting Barrels in the campground
Stage 2 begins!

Continue reading Stage 2 and Bev’s in YELLOW JERSEY !

Tour de Donau Stage 1

 

Day

Saturday, 21 July 2018

Start

Passau, Germany

Destination

Engelhartszell, Austria

Distance Travelled

30km

Accommodation

Gasthaus Goldenes Schiff

Weather

Cloudy, drops of rain, warm – 25

Interesting Discoveries:

  • The Donau river temperature is not that cold – Mark checked this out!!
  • The Fahre (ferry) has a large bell that you ring for service if he is on the other side of the river.
  • Bike tubes are available in dispensers along the RADWEG (bike path)
  • There are many lizards and snakes found in the woods including the viper snake, the largest snake in Germany – luckily it did not cross our path.

Highlights:

Rain and thunderstorms were forecast  for the afternoon so we planned a short day 1 following the NORTH bank route passing the Bavarian forest and into Austria. The Donau (Danube) has cut  a path 300m deep through the mountain ridge. Most of the valley slopes are covered with mixed woods.

We were cruising for an easy first stage win today when our lead was almost sabotaged…..  by a peloton full of Australians!! Our route included a bike/pedestrian Fahre (ferry) crossing at the end of our journey to Engelhartszell. We were ready to board but the ferry captain said he had to wait for a large group of 40 riders that were 5 minutes behind us – The Australians!!…. We all piled on board, with our bikes going on last. This was OK as we were first off and hence will wear the yellow jersey tomorrow!! We enjoyed a chat on the crowded ferry and discovered some were from our home town of Melbourne/Templestowe — it is a small world!!

Our accommodation over looks the Donau River and the village is famous having Austria’s only Trappist monastery and of course a beautiful church.