Training Log Archive: LOST_Richard

Day 5 Tulln to Weibenkirchen

Total 220.16km 622.4m

Checked out the old chapel next to ST Michael's Church which reputedly had a stack of bones from the middle ages but the way to the crypt was locked off so missed that tourist icon.

Back onto the path by the river with a few clouds that were getting darker we took shelter under a large tree while the thunderstorm passed over. Seemed to be many more bikes today with large groups many with quite young children either riding or strapped onto the parents bikes.

Got up to some good cruising speeds along nice bitumen sections but slowed a bit when the surface was rougher or negotiating villages, amazing how much difference a good black top can make.

Went through the edge of Krems which seemed quite industrial. Onto Durnstein which was a cute cobble street, looked for a suitable rest point but decided to push on to the destination and come back tomorrow for a look as we have two nights.

Showered and then explored the village, lots of Heurigen opportunities and had nice wine and great plate of cold meat and cheese washed down with local riesling.

C • Heuiagein??? 8

Day 4 Vienna to Tulln

Totals 162.40km 483m

Easy enough to find the way out of Vienna, followed a railway and ring road to the Danube Canal and then the canal to the river proper.

Strong SE wind most of the day which was at our backs or close to, so made it easy to cruise along, seeing the majority of Danube cycle tourists pushing into the wind. Downstream is definitely more popular than upstream.

Watched a few barges transporting goods making their way up and down the river, I guess for bulk cargo they are a competitive option to trucks and trains. We saw lots on the Moselle last year as well. Thought it might be quite a nice paced life living on one and cruising the rivers.

A day off the bikes but heaps of walking around Vienna with my niece and Nicole. Visited the Rathaus gardens for lunch from one of the many food stalls set up with the film festival. Did a few shops and visted the Summer Palace and gardens, a nice pad back in the day for the Hapsburg family

Distance a guess but time to is honest

C • Vienna 1

Day 3 Carnuntum to Vienna

Totals 122.70km 380.8m

After a big feed at the hotel bbq grill last night and a full on German hotel breakfast we were fully loaded for the ride.

The rain started about 8:00am and stopped briefly at around 10:30 but came down again hard as we got into Vienna so thoroughly wet by to the time we got Rob and Aysha's (my niece) place in Vienna.

We took the option of a small ferry across the Danube rather than ride back to Bad Deutsch-Altenburg which was interesting. A few odd hand painted signs nailed to the trees were the route markers, whereas all the other bike route signs are very standard official signs on poles, and as we reached the river the path turned into a muddy track. At the river I spotted a small barge (6m long) and waved to the ferryman and he headed to the shore dropped a ramp onto the shingle and we pushed the bikes on board. The river flows strongly so a big arching route to glide into the wharf on the other side.

Found a nice coffee spot 5 km on upstream for a break and then headed to Vienna. Arrival is via the industrial areas, with a large oil depot, water treatment plants, power stations etc, none of the iconic Vienna landmarks.

Navigated through the city past the Rathaus, lots of well marked cycle paths and lights that change without having to press a button, so sensible!

Showered and dried out now.

Passed this arch left behind by the Romans and now a few kms from the settlement in a paddock

Day 2 on the Danube from Bratislava to Cartuntum

Totals so far: 71.67km 166.9m

Had a few dramas getting out of Bratislava on the right cycle path, parallel error on the bridges! Once we got going it was pretty ay going rolling along the levee bank until we crossed the border into Austria. The border was marked with a few rusting tank traps and pill box gun emplacement left over from the days when East was East and the West was West.

Up over a rise that added a few meters to the climb for the day. Stopped for coffee by the river then on to Carnuntum, which was a major Roman Settlement in roman times but was eventually abandoned in the 5th century.

Interesting archeological site where they have done the usual thing and exposed the foundations of villas, houses etc. but they have also rebuilt a typical villa and bath house - they all look too modern and need a century or three to look the part.

There are two amphitheaters but we only got to look at one which was rather underwhelming

Ride out to Danubiana which despite the doubtful name, which sounds like some low grade funfair, is in fact a wonderful art gallery and sculpture park set on an Island in the Danube about 20km downstream from Bratislava www.danubiana.sk

Great modern art and a fabulous building reminded us of MONA in Hobart but the art was not quite as confronting took lots of photos check out Facebook if you care.

Even at 9:00 am it was pretty warm for riding , walking around the gallery was good, aircon was working well, but the gardens and roof top were something else.

Back from Danubiana, had to stop for a Pivo on the way - high 30 deg day again. Looking for a break before the loaded rides start.