Biking in Germany 2013

Passau.....we have arrived after 665 Kms...

The 60 Kms today didn't seem very long so we must be fitter.

But it really rained and was cold and so we were glad that we didn't need to think about cycling in the same tomorrow.

Some observations:

Cigarette smoking is not allowed inside bars, restaurants etc but it is not as frowned upon as at home......one can buy cigarettes on the roadside in vending machines.

Pedestrians and cyclists share the same pathway in a lot of urban areas without a problem.

Ragweg-Reisen should be commended for their organization of accommodation in clean, friendly guest houses/hotels in different locales and with different decors.

Our luggage arrived before us every day.

Most of the young people speak excellent English.

The cakes seem less sweet than at home.

Towels warmers are a great idea.

White asparagus is in season now and is delicious.

A lot of towns (including Passau) have pedestrian-only streets in the center.

Young, old, men, women enjoy beer.

Once again we are reminded of how little we need to carry around with us in order to survive/be comfortable.

The weather could have been kinder.....more sun, warmer, no wet days......but we were prepared and everything is available here if needed (Derek felt a lot warmer with his new underwear top!)

Most of the places we have stayed in or eaten in have some sort of stuffed animal/skull/antlers or the like somewhere in the decor.

Artificial flowers are used in the decor.

Orchids popular....on window sills

2 days to go

Here we are in Straubing and about 545kms down the Danube.  10 days of cycling and we have developed definition of our thigh muscles.

The past 2 days have been very cool and overcast but we have been dry despite the dark clouds hovering over us.

Last night we were in Regensburg which was a bigger city with a lovely old town of cobbled streets and alleyways.

We peddled (okay one of us walked) up a steep hill today to have a look at Walhalla.....an Acropolis look-alike with busts of influential Germans.

In a 4star hotel right in the center of town tonight.....and it has a rare bath which we are going to soak our weary muscles.

Hard to believe that we are just 2 days cycling away from the end of this adventure.

Day 8

Day 8 completed in the rain....we are here in Kelheim in a pension right on the Danube. 

Yesterday was a long day in the saddle ....about 70 Kms...luckily for a kind guy on his bike we found 

our hotel.. a very different one from the others we have stayed in...an Art Hotel....and  we lucked into a 

fabulous Tues. night buffet....in bed by 8pm and up at 6:30am.....we needed the sleep. While it has 

threatened with rain for a few days we have been lucky....but today we did most of our cycling in the 

rain.....derek saw a pheasant crossing the path and we saw deer on 2 occasions....surprisingly because 

we have seen deer skulls in most places including the art hotel. Had smoked trout (served whole with 

head,skin attached) in Weltenberg -an abbey....very touristy.....took a ferry down the Danube to 

Kelheim...overcast & cool but not raining.  Kelheim a lovely little spot but very touristy. Already over 

400 Kms done.....and no problems except for tender areas on the backside.

More photos on our way to Donauworth

5th Day

Fifth day cycling

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day for cycling....after overnighting in Obermarchtal & meeting Tony & Brenda Whithers from England again.....we headed out over the fields to Ulm....about 60 Kms....but mostly flat.

Ulm lovely.....promenade next to the Danube.  Hotel close to the tower and with a glimpse of the river. Climbed up Munster but only 250 steps of the 768!

Legs wobbly after cycling 60 +Kms.

Beautiful cathedral.  lots of people enjoying the sunshine.

Day 5 to Dillingen looks to be flat along the Danube.....but it does look like we are in for some rain again.

Was flat got lost recovered no rain till after arrival ...good wine at dinner ...Riesling dry and fruity..Weingartner Flein- Talheim....local venison for dinner.

Pics from day 3

Day 3 to Obermarchtal

Third day cycling completed.

Okay so maybe we were a bit previous in saying this trip wouldn't be a workout.

On day 2 from Fridingen to Sigmaringen was a lot more challenging.

Gayle walked up five of the hills....in a beautiful area described as the most scenic part of the trip......read hilly....the Danube winds through limestone cliffs at this stage.

We started off in light rain and it was cool.....but we sure warmed up on the hills.....and the rain didn't last.

Arrived at our accommodation which was uphill from town center....luckily the owner offered to drive us into the center or we would have gone to bed on arrival...as it was we toured the castle, had dinner and walked back uphill.....and slept from 8pm till 6am without stirring.

Day 3 not so hilly ..... Overcast and looked like rain all day but didn't materialize.

Had our best meal yet.....lunch of trout,salad, & potatoes.....and even had a glass of Riesling with it and got back on the bikes.....had to walk up a couple of the hills after that though.

The route is very well marked....winding first through forests and then through lush fields some of which have been freshly fertilized with pig manure (we think).

Every breakfast has been great.....cereal, yogurt,assortment of breads, fruit, cheeses, meats, and hard boiled eggs....plus juice & tea or coffee.

Most places we have stayed in have wood panelling and outside pull down shutters.

The area around the Danube is beautiful with some towns dating back to 600 AD

We are going to be fit after two weeks of this!

more pics

pics from first day

Our first day biking

First day cycling Donaueschening to Fridingen about 60 kms and downhill most of the way......what a pleasure.....dedicated cycling paths mostly paved and following the Danube for most of the way.  Bikes look brand new and are really easy to use.  There was lots of birdlife, quaint old towns and lush green fields.  Left at 8am and arrived at 2pm.  Nice hotel on main drag....sitting outside enjoying a beer/wine.

What we noticed today.

The route is easy going....so far anyone could have handled it.

The houses have steep roofs with clay tiles.

Cars are mostly Mercedes, BMWs and VWs.

Swans,  coots with babies, ibis, mallards, geese, herons, magpies, hawks, crows......the river attracts a lot of birds.

This seems like it is going to be a great holiday and not a workout.

So far so good.

Pics of Donaueschingen

Pics of train trip to Donaueschingen from Stuttgart

STUTTGART TRAIN STATION

4 nights & 3 days on Via Rail from Vancouver to Toronto ....what a great experience......

Good food (like crab & avo eggs Benedict for breakfast,  prawn & scallop skewers for lunch, & pickerel for supper).

Cozy accommodation, very cozy but with everything one needs and no wait for the shower down the hall.

Good wine....during a wine tasting session we discovered a delicious Ontario Riesling.

Good beer.....discovered Steamwhistle Pilsner from a Toronto microbrewery.

Friendly efficient staff with a good sense of humour.

Interesting fellow passengers from various places in the world ... Get to talk with different people over meals and in the dome car

Great weather & scenery.....sunny clear skies until the last morning heading into Toronto ....not a cloud in the Rockies....Full view of Mount Robson, melted snow sitting in the fields on the prairies, snow in the ditches & shady areas under the bush of the Canadian Shield, and lush lovely landscape of cottage country in southern Ontario.