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 ??????
Wednesday is a rest day as we are both pretty exhausted with this sight-seeing – well, Bev rests anyway and Mark does a days work for SafetyQuip.
Soon after checking into Hotel Mozart in Vienna, Mark has booked us into another challenge….. the scooter tour of Vienna!!
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.
Stage 7 ventures along the lush, picturesque Wachau Valley with its orchards and vineyards producing some of Austria’s finest wines.
Leaving early (well — 8am — early when you are on holidays!!) with a mist hovering and the Donau sparkling in the early sunshine.
We are in the breakaway!!!! ….. No cyclists ahead of us!!
Thanks for all your well wishes for Bev, she is feeling rested and is armed with cold and flu tablets and two inhalers as we confidently depart Enns!
Guten Morgen friends! We’re back again! After a smooth sailing (cycling) stage 3 even including a motorbike escort to our wonderful guest house, Stage 4 was a disaster and we recorded a DNF (did not finish) due to a DOCTOR DETOUR!?!?
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 |
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.
