It was a pleasant change to have a day on some nice quiet country roads. For now we are leaving the big cities behind and exploring the countryside.
The ride out of Budapest went smoothly for the most part and the route gave us one last glimpse of the stunning parliament buildings.
Tonight a taste for what may be happening more frequently - lively campsites. This one is next to some karaoke bar and the patrons sound like they'll keep it going much past the time when I will go to sleep.
Tomorrow is the last day of riding for Alan. To celebrate the riders drank some local brews and talked and laughed late into the evening - well late for this early rising crew. And when all had quieted down, and camp stools stood empty, and the snores began, Alan yelled out from his tent RIDER MEETING 5 MINUTES!!! A few chuckles were heard before the night again became calm.
Tomorrow Budapest - the city where I joined last year and the city I am anxious to be able to explore further with our Hungarian photographer.
I just had a conversation with Shanny the Tour leader who has had some busy days since he last sent an update. In Vienna we had seven new riders joining and so there was a lot of logistics to deal with to make sure they new riders have a smooth start.
The next rest day which was yesterday in Bratislava, Slovakia was busy with maintenance and repairs of the trucks, getting a trailer, propane etc. Bratislava is the official half point of the tour.
Today ride went smoothly and the bikers arrived in Gyor, Hungary. Hungary is the 5th country of the tour and the tour now turns due south. Hopefully the change of direction will bring less rain as it seems that the cyclists have seen enough rain for the tour.
Austria has been stunning so far, and it seems to be getting better everyday. There's lots of forestry, and the Danube is widening into a more and more grand river each day. Today the trail took us through the wine region of Austria; the hillsides were covered with vineyards, with our trail at times cutting right thru them. And of course every little village offered wine tasting. Appropriately enough, tonight we are camping at a vineyard just outside town.
The owner is selling his personal wines right from where we are camped. Starting at two Euros a bottle, its well worth a glass...or two.
Its another great day in Austria. The weather has made a drastic change for the better, and it has added to the enjoyment of our day off here in Linz.
This is the biggest city we have been in since Paris, and its a nice change from the many small towns we travelled through in Germany.
The Danube Cycleway was all paved on yesterdays ride into Linz, and it was one of the more scenic days on the Tour so far. The Danube is now a wide river pushing its way east towards the Black Sea.
Our lunch spot yesterday was right at trailside, next to a small ferry dock that shuttles cyclists back and forth to the north and south bank of the Danube. The pictureesque spot was enhanced by the weather and a light breeze that came off the Danube.
Last night some of the riders made the short walk into the town of Straubing from our campsite to join in the festivities surrounding Volksfest. This is the second largest festival in Germany after Oktoberfest in Munich. Thousands of people filled the town wearing the very striking traditional Bavarian dress, and the beer was flowing. No small samplings either - beer was only served in 1 liters steins.
Tomorrow we leave Germany and enter country number three - Austria, where another of our sectional riders will join us.
I have a slightly renewed belief that automobiles do not entirely rule the roads anymore - as I rode into another beautiful Bavarian town today I passed what first appeared to be a gas station. Upon closer inspection I realized that the gas station had long since closed - no pumps, no squiggies left - but the gas station office has now been turned into a showroom for beautiful road bikes. The parking area off to the side of the pump stations is now a impressive man-made system or ramps and bridges for the very skilled mountain bikers that must frequent it regularly.
The garage where cars, belching out toxic fumes, used to come for repairs is now the place to go to get a flat repaired, or get your breaks adjusted on your bike as you ride into town on the well marked network of trails in this region.
Then around the corner is the downtown core of this small town, full of pedestrian and semi-pedestrian streets where cyclists, and pedestrians take priority. The phenomenon of pedestrian streets is still quite uncommon in Canada and North America in general.
Tonight another night of 'Comfort' for the aptly named Comfort Riders with another hotel situated in the centre of town, giving them a chance to partake in ´Volksfest` - a week long community festival that is currently on.
The sun put is all in a good mood this afternoon, and another brilliant meal from our chef and we're a very content bunch.
The day started with rain clouds looming overhead and so we braved for another character building day. Some did get rained on while others were found cafes along the way to wait out the rain. By noon the sky was clearing and the temperature was rising. Most of the afternoon was without rain and so we hope for more of the same tomorrow.
All the riders had a much better day navigating this portion of the trail, and only a few ended up putting in some extra km in the wrong direction.
It was a perfect day to have after a rest day. Not much climbing at all.
In the birthplace of the great Albert Einstein we are enjoying another rest day. The Comfort Riders are lodging in their fabulous hotel and the Adventure riders had the very timely treat of being put up in a hostel for the two nights - it's not your typical hostel either, it's spotlessly clean and has comfortable dry beds, unlike the tents and thermarests of all of us, who have been dealing with the spell of intermittent rain for the pastfew days. And the weather reports aren't making it sound like that will change anytime soon.
The ride into Ulm was a challenge for many, with the rain and the first real taste of the maze of bike paths in this region, that make navigation a real challenge. But safe and sound everyone arrived to camp in plenty of time to dry off and enjoy the much needed comforts of being indoors.
Our first sectional rider, Alan has ridden two days and is quickly becoming part of the group. There will be many more to follow, with several joining in Vienna and Bucharest.
Not a drop of rain today. It was a pleasant surprise. The distance was a little shorter today and so we had a late start allowing us to sleep in a little. Then it was a short ride to the border and then into Germany.
Even though were not on the Danube Cyclepath yet we have already ridden on some wonderful trails.
Freiburg is a busy modern town with trams heading back and forth across the city delivering passengers here and there.
The campsite is peaceful and close to some wonderful hiking trails up the hillside. One rider took advantage of the camps massage service.
