Day 20- Linz to Melk - 116.7 kms

16 Jun

We had a great dinner last night at a traditional Viennese restaurant,which was more of a family restaurant set in the grounds of a former home. It was very popular and although it was a decent walk away from our hotel it was well worth the effort. After dinner rather than walk we caught a cab.

After a great night of sleep we were awake at about 5.30 am and on the road by 5.50 am with an aim of having breakfast “on the road” after about 25 kms.... well the best laid plans were blown asunder with the fact that a ferry to cross the Danube at Mauthausen does not operate until 9.00 am and we were there at about 7.30 am.....

On this basis we decided to ride to a bridge which we could see and was only half a km away.... only problem there seemed to be no road to get there. Being the intrepid explorers we are, we decided to find a way.... well the way ahead was through densely over grown roads, several corn fields and several episodes of getting lost. Finally we found a young lady and daughter who were out on their bikes who directed us to the bridge .... this diversion was about 15 kms!!!!

As it was starting to get very hot and humid we stopped at Mauthausen for breakfast... this time it was in. McDonalds !!!! Yes a McDonald’s.... our first for us on all our rides.

Got to tell you all the scrambled eggs were shocking but the coffee was okay

After breakfast it was on further alongside the river to Grien for lunch at a cafe. It was opposite moorings for the big river boats and as a result the cafes were very busy. Lunch consisted of a toasted baguette ( not very good!) a soft drink and an ice cream.... it was hot!!!

After lunch we crossed the river by ferry.... yes they were going this time!!!

The road/ bike path was partly shaded and every now and then we got a cooler breeze as a relief thank god

Part way along the course we were overtaken by a pelaton of riders on the “ tour de herz” ( herz being heart in Austrian)

We decided to join the pelaton which made the last 30 kms go very quickly

We spoke to a few of the people and they were doing a charity type ride for heart facilities and the ride was from Passau to Vienna in a day... about 310 kms

It was delightful to end the day riding 30 kms at about 30km/ hr. To end on a high like this was terrific although we had to learn the pelaton rules as we rode along

We arrived at Melk at about 2.00pm which enabled us to clean our bikes and do a wash before deciding what to do

Apart from the humidity and the mucking around at Mauthausen the day was a great one for riding

We saw some great country ( including corn fields at close quarters!!!)

We have now completed 1755 kms on the trip so far from Paris and we are averaging over 100 kms per day

We reckon the half way point is at Vienna but will check this later

Now for the photos....

Oops no ferry... what a bugger!!!