Danube Bike Path -Germany June 3-17/09

It is hot on the train to Milan and it is so full that some people are standing. In our compartment on the next train we are fortunate that Peter has a row of seats to himself so we can take turns lying down.

We arrive in Karlsruhg, Germany at 4AM. Eventually the McDonalds and a bakery open so we have something to eat. Peter is able to determine that there is a discount train at 9AM to Donaueschingen (where the Danube bike route starts). We are able to confirm with an agent that we can take our bikes.

This is an easy train to get on as we can just wheel our bikes on.


After getting groceries and having lunch in the park we check the mapboard as there are several bike routes from this point including the Danube. The Donau starts as a little trickle, to a stream and eventually as a wide expanse of water.


Along the way there are little villages (and bakeries) every few kilometers each with a church tower and red tiled roofs. I am still suprised by the lack of people that speak English.



Highlights: easy cycling, cheaper camping, picturesque villages and architecture, Donauworth

Challenges/lowlights: rainy days, rude woman at campground at Ingolstadt.



Our first day is a short cycle to a lovely campground at Pfohren under sunny blue skies. The people at the campground are very friendly. 16EU for camping.




Around 5PM it turns really cold and windy. It is not until I have on my fleece, rain jacket and fleece cap that I feel toasty.

During supper a couple pulls up in a mini car, while the woman sets up the tent, fills the air mattress with a foot pump, the fellow sits in the car and drinks beer. I feel like telling her that he should get his lazy ar.... out of the car and give her a hand.



I know why Europeans use fenders on rainy days.
The rain must bring out the snails as I have rarely seen snails and now they are all on the road slinking along.






In Ehingen there is an impish fountain. The lepricon shoots water from his flute at a boy and then the boy shoots water back at the boy hitting the lepricon/elf in the face.














DONAUWORTH



I was here in '93 when it was just a quiet little village although I recognize the main street of buildings it has now become a trendy tourist place, with plenty of cafes, shops and attractive walkways.










WELTENBURG

The trail winds along the Danube past limestone cliffs. There is an old monestary beside the river which also houses a very big and busy biergarten.







CYCLING

Day 241 Donaueschingen to Pfohren 6 KM
Day 242 Pfohren to HausenimTal 59 KM
Day 243 H.. to Reidlingen 66 KM
Day 244 R.. to Allmendingen 53 KM
Day 245 All.. to Leipheim 59 KM
Day 246 rain day
Day 247 L.. to Dillingen 48 KM
Day 248 D... to Marxheim 54 KM (Donauworth)
Day 249 M.. to Inglostadt 62 KM
Day 250 In... to Kelheim 56 KM
Day 251 K... to Regensburg 48 KM
Day 252 R... to Straubing 60 KM
Day 253 S... to Deggendorf 39 KM
Day 254 D... to Passau 66 KM

Germany 676 KM