Lolomiina: 17.08.2020
Thursday, 6.8.2020
Route: Regental Cycle Path (Travel to Regensburg)
Kilometers: 92
Elevation: low (under 200)
Weather: sunny without a single cloud, warm but not too hot, pleasant wind
Today I started my next tour, the Regen Cycle Path, where I would be traveling alone. My alarm went off at 6:45, I had already packed everything. Then I had breakfast with my parents, changed my saddle, loaded my bike (this time for the first time with a sleeping mat and sleeping bag) and set off towards Beilngries.
I spontaneously decided to take the longer, but very flat route. Always along the canal until Dietfurt, relatively boring. After Dietfurt, I briefly rode in the shade of a small forest, then along the old canal. Hills stretched out in front of me, water to the left of me. The corn was high, the grain had already been harvested. The banks were beautifully overgrown. Large rocks stood between the otherwise wooded hills, there were also castles on them. That would remain the case for almost the entire route today.
Before Riedenburg, I crossed to the other side of the canal, because somewhere there should be the Agatha Lake, I had read. Because it was not signposted, I followed several cars, but it turned out to be wrong. So I went back. I finally found it and it was really nice: the lake shimmered in the sunlight, green meadows all around, some people had spread out, others were swimming. I took off my shoes and waded a bit through the water.
Soon I continued. Through Riedenburg, I only rode along the promenade, as I already knew the city center. I continued on this side, until I finally reached the large wooden bridge to Essing. I pushed across and enjoyed the view. On the other side, I didn't know where to go anymore. You could see the cycle path, but a no-entry sign and a barrier prevented cyclists from getting there. I resisted and rode, pushed, and carried across.
Then I continued to Kelheim. I already knew that too, but because it was half past 11 and I was hungry, I pushed through the old town in search of something to eat. Amidst cobblestones, old large houses, and with a view of the Liberation Hall, I finally found a butcher shop and bought myself a Leberkässemmel, which I enjoyed by the canal promenade.
Then I crossed the bridge and continued to Kelheim-Winzer. Here I went through small villages, but mostly in the sun along a dam path. At some point my buttocks hurt and I took a break in front of a village at a bus stop with lots of greenery and a tree trunk.
Then I continued always very close to the Danube. I passed through a small village that seemed familiar to me. It occurred to me: a year ago on the 5 Rivers Tour, I got lost here. But now I knew the way even better.
Past a lion carved into the rock, I continued to Bad Abbach. Last time I had ridden along a dam path here, today I was drawn into the town: everything was geared towards spa operations, the paths were barrier-free, many cafes, pubs, and shops. Just everything a bit old.
Somewhere near Pentling, I found a small hidden spot with a pebble beach on the Danube, where I enjoyed the view and dozed off a bit until three women with a dog drove me away.
Now it got very tough. After a few kilometers, I needed sugar, so I took a grape break on a park bench. Now the surroundings became urban: I arrived in Regensburg. Young people were sunbathing on the meadow and when I saw an ice cream van, I couldn't resist and treated myself to a very delicious chocolate ice cream, which I devoured in the shade by the Danube.
Now the last kilometers for today. Because they led through the city center of Regensburg, I pushed my bike and enjoyed the atmosphere. I wanted to stay overnight in the shared flat of friends, and when I arrived there, Anna was already home. We chatted for a long time and cooked spaghetti with tomatoes and salad together. The boyfriend of one of the roommates even lubricated my chain! Very nice! We sat outside for quite a while, had fun, and ended the evening with a Radler.