Friday, August 27, 2010 - Emmersdorf to Tulln

I started packing for the day's ride with a light rain on the ground. By the time I loaded my bike and took it from the "Farhrad" garage, the rain had stopped. I left the hotel (on the left) with an overcast sky. The sky quickly cleared to partially cloudy for most of the day. I had thought about taking the train part of the way but the desk clerk told me that this was the prettiest part of the Donautal. I took her advise and rode. she was correct it was beautiful. however there were parts of the donautal in Germany that had thier own unique beauty. I liked both parts.

This is the higway and bike path out of Emmersdorf. I did not like it. There were a lot of cars and a lot of bikers. The Austrian drivers just like the German drivers were very respectful of bicycles and thier riders. Many times big truck would slow to a crawl to protect us bicyclest on curves or hills. I was very impressed. The bike culture in Europe is very impressive.

                                                       This is a part of the valley. Of course, I am on one side, the north side at this time. The hills on each side are getting higher and the number of ruins is increasing. People have inhabited this valley for many thousands of years.

The number of church related buildings is also very impressive. This valley has been worth the price of admission.

I did ride through my firsty vineyard for this trip. I could not tell if they were red grapes or white grapes. I think they were too imature (like me). The vineyards can cover most of the hill side they are very pretty.

There are many photo opportunities, sometimes they pass you by and you do not know it. this is a coveed pass we came through. on the right is a chapel. The family going in and I played leap frog fpr about 35 km. They were very friendly.

The valley held many surprises, like the town of Durnstein. It was very crowded and you almost had tomwalk your bicycle through it. It had many distracting ice cream shops. The blonde family and I enjoyed our ice cream. The valley later became low and the river wide.

I saw a lady walking a cat on a lease. I do not think I have ever seen that before. I could not get a picture. I did get a picture of the item on the left. It was the first one I saw on the buke path. Later I had a glass of Most, a fermented apple cider unique to the region. There were Most stands along the bike path. In all today's ride was 85 km. I am 40 km from Vienna. I will stop there after 1100 km on the trail. Counting excursions, detours, and being lost I would estimate by tomorrow it will be 1200 km traveled.

I arrived at my hotel in a medium rain. It was agood day. There is no food or drink report as I do not know what it will be. The hotel restaurant is closed.

Pax,

Bob