14 to Krems

Route: 87 kilometers, cumulative: 1,198 kilometers | Elevation gain: 260 m, cumulative elevation gain: 4,569 m, distance from home: 579 kilometers (as the crow flies)

Today I didn’t have to choose between rain or wind; I had more than enough of both.

I set off shortly after eight and was able to take it easy. I had planned a 'short' tour for today. Krems was the destination, about 85 kilometers away and perfectly flat. Nevertheless, the mostly flat terrain resulted in a total ascent of 260 metres. Compared to two weeks ago, I am now cycling up the Danube, which means there is an incline every day.

The route through Vienna was short and almost entirely on cycle paths. Then I rode for a few kilometres along the Vienna Canal until I reached the Danube after about 9 kilometres.

Shortly after that is the pier for cruise ships. Many were moored there, sometimes several side by side. On the one hand, I felt sorry for the tourists who had to visit Vienna in this cold and wet weather. On the other hand, I envied them for the warm, dry, and windless rooms on their ship. In the end, though, it would be too boring for me. Where is the adventure and the will to persevere?

I dressed warmly and stayed dry. My rain trousers, which I wore over my cycling shorts, kept me dry and therefore warm all day. There was nothing to complain about! On top, I wore two thin windbreakers. I pulled the hood of one over my head under the helmet and felt very comfortable.

Since I had both batteries fully charged, the capacity was easily enough to reach the day's goal despite the headwind.

I didn't take my '30-km break' until after more than 42 kilometres. It was the first opportunity to eat and drink something in a dry and sheltered spot.

My lunch break also had to wait a bit; I was really looking forward to my warm noodles. I found a free table in the middle of the forest when, miraculously, it stopped raining for a short time. You can find a photo of this cosy lunch in this report.

During this break, a few cyclists passed by, but all were heading downstream. Throughout the entire day, not a single cyclist was riding upstream like me. At least, I didn't see any.

Eventually, I had to cross the Danube, as Krems is on the other side of the river. I was so disappointed when the path over a power station and a lock was blocked by a 'no entry' sign and a barrier. However, just as I was reluctantly about to take the other way, I noticed that a passage was open for cyclists. After crossing the Danube, I followed the beautiful path on the dam for kilometres without meeting anyone else.

So, I found my way to the hotel without further incident. The room is clean but must be reached by climbing over 50 steps. The comfort is nowhere near that of the last few nights. But after a good meal and two glasses of wine, I’m sure I’ll sleep well. And tomorrow, the journey continues.

***

English

Route: 87 kilometres, cumulative: 1,198 kilometres | Elevation gain: 260 m, cumulative elevation gain: 4,569 m, distance from home: 579 kilometres (as the crow flies)

Today I didn’t have to choose between rain or wind; I had more than enough of both.

I set off shortly after eight and was able to take it easy. I had planned a 'short' tour for today. Krems was the destination, about 85 kilometres away and perfectly flat. Nevertheless, the mostly flat terrain resulted in a total ascent of 260 metres. Compared to two weeks ago, I am now cycling up the Danube, which means there is an incline every day.

The route through Vienna was short and almost entirely on cycle paths. Then I rode for a few kilometres along the Vienna Canal until I reached the Danube after about 9 kilometres.

Shortly after that is the pier for cruise ships. Many were moored there, sometimes several side by side. On the one hand, I felt sorry for the tourists who had to visit Vienna in this cold and wet weather. On the other hand, I envied them for the warm, dry, and windless rooms on their ship. In the end, though, it would be too boring for me. Where is the adventure and the will to persevere?

I dressed warmly and stayed dry. My rain trousers, which I wore over my cycling shorts, kept me dry and therefore warm all day. There was nothing to complain about! On top, I wore two thin windbreakers. I pulled the hood of one over my head under the helmet and felt very comfortable.

Since I had both batteries fully charged, the capacity was easily enough to reach the day's goal despite the headwind.

I didn't take my '30-km break' until after more than 42 kilometres. It was the first opportunity to eat and drink something in a dry and sheltered spot.

My lunch break also had to wait a bit; I was really looking forward to my warm noodles. I found a free table in the middle of the forest when, miraculously, it stopped raining for a short time. You can find a photo of this cosy lunch in this report.

During this break, a few cyclists passed by, but all were heading downstream. Throughout the entire day, not a single cyclist was riding upstream like me. At least, I didn't see any.

Eventually, I had to cross the Danube, as Krems is on the other side of the river. I was so disappointed when the path over a power station and a lock was blocked by a 'no entry' sign and a barrier. However, just as I was reluctantly about to take the other way, I noticed that a passage was open for cyclists. After crossing the Danube, I followed the beautiful path on the dam for kilometres without meeting anyone else.

So, I found my way to the hotel without further incident. The room is clean but must be reached by climbing over 50 steps. The comfort is nowhere near that of the last few nights. But after a good meal and two glasses of wine, I’m sure I’ll sleep well. And tomorrow, the journey continues.

***

Español

Ruta: 87 kilómetros, acumulados: 1.198 kilómetros | Desnivel: 260 m, desnivel acumulado: 4.569 m, distancia desde casa: 579 kilómetros (en línea recta)

Hoy no tuve que elegir entre lluvia o viento; tuve más que suficiente de ambos.

Salí poco después de las ocho y pude tomármelo con calma. Había planeado una etapa 'corta' para hoy. El destino era Krems, a unos 85 kilómetros de distancia y totalmente llano. Sin embargo, lo que parecía casi llano resultó en un ascenso total de 260 metros. A diferencia de hace dos semanas, ahora subo por el Danubio, por lo que cada día hay una subida.

El trayecto por Viena fue corto y casi todo por carriles bici. Luego pedaleé unos kilómetros por el canal de Viena hasta que llegué al Danubio después de unos 9 kilómetros.

Poco después se encuentra el muelle de los cruceros. Había muchos amarrados, a veces incluso varios uno al lado del otro. Por un lado, sentía lástima por los turistas que tenían que visitar Viena con este tiempo frío y húmedo. Por otro lado, los envidiaba por las habitaciones cálidas, secas y sin viento de su barco. Pero al final, me resultaría demasiado aburrido. ¿Dónde quedarían la aventura y el espíritu de superación?

Me vestí de forma cálida y seca. Mis pantalones de lluvia, que me puse sobre el culote, me mantuvieron seco y, por tanto, caliente durante todo el día. ¡No hubo de qué quejarse! Arriba me puse dos cortavientos finos uno sobre otro. Me puse la capucha de uno de ellos bajo el casco y me sentí muy cómodo en todo el cuerpo.

Como tenía las dos baterías totalmente cargadas, la capacidad fue suficiente para alcanzar el objetivo del día a pesar del viento en contra.

No hice mi descanso de los 30 km hasta después de más de 42 kilómetros. Fue la primera oportunidad para comer y beber algo en un lugar seco y resguardado del viento.

Mi pausa para almorzar también tuvo que esperar un poco; tenía muchas ganas de comer mis fideos calientes. Encontré una mesa libre en medio del bosque cuando, por arte de magia, dejó de llover por un corto tiempo. En este informe encontrarás una foto de este agradable almuerzo.

Durante el descanso pasaron algunos ciclistas, pero todos iban río abajo. En todo el día, no vi a ningún otro ciclista subiendo el Danubio como yo. Al menos, no me crucé con ninguno.

En algún momento tuve que cruzar el Danubio, ya que Krems está al otro lado del río. Qué decepción me llevé cuando el camino sobre una central eléctrica y una esclusa estaba bloqueado por una señal de prohibido el paso y una barrera. Sin embargo, cuando ya me disponía a tomar el otro camino de mala gana, me di cuenta de que había un paso abierto para ciclistas. Tras cruzar el Danubio, seguí el hermoso camino sobre el dique durante kilómetros sin encontrarme con nadie.

Así llegué a mi hotel sin más incidentes. La habitación está limpia, pero hay que subir más de 50 escalones para llegar a ella. El confort no se compara, ni de lejos, con el de las últimas noches. Pero después de una buena cena y dos copas de vino, seguro que dormiré bien. Y mañana, la aventura continúa.