चलो पासाऊ में चलते हैं

After a short stay at Mario's mom near Nuremberg, we arrive at our starting point Passau around noon. There we stand and watch the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz flow together in a cheerful manner. Since 682,000 cyclists traipse from Passau to Vienna each season, we firmly rely on not having to worry about finding the route. For quite some time, we stand helplessly on the banks of the Danube as the only cyclists, waiting for the crowd. Well, then we read the signs ourselves and start cycling alone. Doubts arise whether we are heading in the right direction. In the end, we would be in Ulm instead of Vienna. We are not stupid and throw a piece of wood from the bridge, recognize the current and cycle after the twig. Briefly, we think about where the other statistically calculated 4,546 cyclists are probably going today, but quickly dismiss the thought and are happy to have the bike path all to ourselves for kilometers.

At two places on the north bank, the bike path ends and continues by ferry. We enjoy these short stages. A fresh wind, getting off the saddle and gliding on the water is a welcome change. To officially start our vacation, we have an ice cream sundae which we eat in the shade with a view of the Danube.

With every kilometer, our thoughts about everyday life fade away and we get closer to our vacation. In the late afternoon, we reach our first accommodation in Aschach/Donau. Oh, by the way, there is no sign marking the border crossing from Germany to Austria. Neither signs nor barriers indicate it. Only at the license plates of parked cars do we realize that we are in Austria.