In Czechia. despite rough roads, steep climbs and lots of them I could still pull off 130+ kms. In above 30 degree weather not so much. I had planned on doing 140 or more kms today but only made 125.
Todays ride was flat, hot and into a very mild but oddly challenging headwind. I was sure I’d look at the weather app and it would have been a 25 kph wind. But it was 10. I’m not even sure that counts as a breeze. I think it felt stronger because the heat just zaps all your power.
But I’m not complaining!
The ride was pretty if somewhat monotonous. There are plenty of cyclists on the path, but not nearly as many as I expected. The Danube, specifically between Passau and Vienna, is apparently the most popular cycling route in Europe. Which makes sense because it is so easy. I don’t think I’ve ever ridden as long as I did today with virtually no elevation change at all. And the river and trees are nice.
Some excitement came when a teenager waved me and a few other cyclists to help him. He had a flat which I know something about. The kid is Ukrainian and has been in Austria for 5 months with his mother. Dad is in Ukraine. This conjures up all sorts of sad thoughts. Try as we might, his tube was beyond repair.
I, for one, did not have a flat today. But I did buy a new tire. It’s not installed, just strapped to the back of my bike for now. Tomorrow is a religious holiday in Austria so nothing will be open. And if my tire was going to completely fail, surely the Ascension of Mary holiday would be the day.
I’ve got 120 km to a campground in Vienna tomorrow and it will be another 32 degree day. Tonight’s campground is an American style RV park where tent folks like me just find any space between the trucks to sleep. No super exciting, but also not much of an issue. I’m going to sleep like someone who’s ridden 2500 km in 3 weeks.
Love that your maps are back! Sounds like a good day other than the heat. AZ is actually going to be under 100 F (that would be 37 c for you) in a few days……we’ll be needing sweaters! So many beautiful buildings in Europe, churches, castles abbeys, you’ll have your fill along the Danube. Sorry you couldn’t get the tire fixed for the teenager but at least you got to put your new talent to the test. Hope you have cool breezes tomorrow.
💯
You deserve the break in the heat
Sounds like just a good bike touring day. Hoping you have a nice night of sleep and a great ride tomorrow.
Great pics and stories the last several days, Chad. I suppose heat is preferable to rain?
Hi Chad,
I’ve caught up on your blogs. Thanks for signing me up again. Love reading them.
We also met Uranian teens in Amsterdam, and had similar sad feelings.
I especially liked the post that had multiple food pictures.
Karen, Lori, Paul and I had a weekend of Blueberry Buckle. Karen, having a British Isle connection, knew why it was called “buckle.”
Hope you have a few cooler and rain-free days. I know you’ve got it either way.
Good journey
I may have been wrong about it being British, but it looks like it was British colonizers in your neck of the woods (Maine) who created it. So, half right?
Sign me up for a buckle weekend please
Can’t wait to see your pics of Vienna after your walkabout there tomorrow. Nice to have a calm day of flat riding before and after some heavy mud and steep hills. Happy sleeping in Vienna tonight.
Walkabout!?!
Oh shoot, blasphemy on this blog (gulp).
🤣