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Published: April 7th 2008
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Thursday 27 March - Regensburg to Passau, 160km
A very good day weather-wise, fine and a little warmer. Very long, and I got left behind a lot. Lunch at a café where I got myself 2 fried eggs to supplement the lamentable picnic. Today the Reds had a total of five punctures - most days there are two - our tyres are not very good. Still following the Danube, almost all day on the cycle path with just a few bits on roads.
Some problems finding the Youth Hostel in Passau; had to walk up a very steep cobbled road to a sort of fortress on top of a cliff. Not good at the end of a hard day. Supper was - as usual - pasta with meat sauce, but at least there was some cheese to sprinkle on it and a salad. I am sharinga 6-berth room. Had a cold shower, and so to bed.
Friday 28 March - Passau to Linz, 113 km
Had help carrying my bag up to the van - the path was very steep, wet and cobblestoned. It got very cold again today, rain overnight but not in the day. Not a very interesting day;
all along the Danube between high rock walls, not much in the way of villages and most cafes closed in this season. Lunched with Emilio and Jean-Yves at a café (they are members of the Blacks), I had some noodle soup and a hot chocolate to go with my sandwich.
When we came out we found Marcel sitting on the river bank waiting for me - he was the sweeper for the Reds and said it was his duty to wait for me! Funny fellow. Marcel is Belgian and looks like a mouse (reminds me of Ratatouille in the movie). He has a GPS which has been very useful, and he likes to drink beer.
When we reached Linz it took us 1 hour and 40 minutes to find the Youth Hostel - the team leaders had all been given directions to the wrong Youth Hostel.
After a beer with the Reds had an excellent shower; I am sharing a 4-bed room.
I spoke to Reception about a vegetarian meal and they said no problem. I got a vegetable lasagne, and there was a nice pudding and a salad and water melon. I bought a litre of wine for 6 euros and shared it round.
Saturday 29 March - Linz to Melk, 118 km.
A beautiful day except for one shower. We had a police escort out of Linz. We actually arrived quite early at Melk, there was a football match going on close to the Youth Hostel, much local enthusiasm, shouting and banging and letting off fireworks.
Ate out in the evening, in a nice traditional restaurant - not cheap, but they had a vegetarian menu! Enormous Apfelstrudels for dessert.
Sunday 30 March - Melk to Vienna, 122 km
Had a really nice morning because the Red group left without me and I cycled along on my own. The route ran through orchards in blossom anf vineyards, interspersed with little villages - very attractive. Stopped in Krems for a hot chocolate on a sunny terrace.
After Krems the route continued along the bank of the Danube, less interesting.
Accommodation at Vienna was rather disappointing for a rest day - I shared a 2-bunk room with Liliane. She has a bad ankle and has had to ride in the van for a couple of days. Michel (who has a bad knee) is also not cycling at present.
After dinner (they did find me a vegetarian option) went out to the launderette - a long walk, and the machines very complicated to use, but had a cognac in a very nice little local bar while it washed, and got back about midnight!
Monday 31 March - Day Off in Vienna
Got a day travel ticket and got a tram downtown; went up the tower of St Stephen’s Cathedral, had a coffee, found a Post Office and posted my library book back to Faversham Library! Walked to the Hofburg Palace, had lunch in the Rathauskeller (the cellar of the Town Hall, very interesting) and then got a metro to the Schonbrunn Palace. Did the audio guided tour, very good.
Metro back to the YH for an obligatory meeting. Showed us the official videos of the trip (www.parispekinavelo.com) which I found very unimpressive. Announced that one group each day would be designated “Tourists” and would go a little slower - I shall join them.
Out by metro again for dinner at a rewstaurant suggested by Paul’s guidebook - a beer place. Excellent food, including vegetarian. Wrote some postcards and posted them.
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Mark
non-member comment
Keep it up!
Congrats on the first 500km or so, hope it's not too wearing. But yourself a noce veggie-beer to celebrate with at 1000km! BTW, if events over here are anything to go by, I'd avoid Olympic Torch routes if I were you! Best of luck, Mark