Eurovelo 6 – in one post
We did it!
We’ve cycled all the way from the Atlantic coast in France to Budapest!
Check below the map for links to posts about the trip.
The map below shows our whole journey. On this trip we have:
…We did it!
We’ve cycled all the way from the Atlantic coast in France to Budapest!
Check below the map for links to posts about the trip.
The map below shows our whole journey. On this trip we have:
…2652km … Saint-Brevin-les-Pins to Budapest … Done!
Today the streets will be paved with gold and lined with cheering people. There will be marching bands, parades and a carnival atmosphere. We are going to make it! Our 41st day of riding will bring us to the end of a fantastic ride that has taken us from the Atlantic coast across France, skirted the northern and flattest part of Switzerland, then looped us up and around into Germany, across the flattest part of Austria, into the southern reaches of Slovakia and finally in to Budapest in Hungary.
…Nothing never means nothing
It’s a funny day when there are no real stories. We leave Bratislava by crossing a bridge back to the south (or right bank) of the river and then almost immediately crossing back. Today we are on our own as there are few signs to guide us.
…Buildings and Statues and Castle and Ice Cream and … Bones
We have one day – one hot day – in Bratislava and we head out without any real plan other than to make our way to the dominant Bratislava Castle and to wander the old streets. Mission accomplished.
…Auf Wiedersehen Österreich … Ahoj Slovensko
Until this morning we both believed that the people of Wien were not really connected to the Donau river. As we leave the beautiful city of Wien that theory is debunked. People are everywhere, enjoying their river and this sunny and warm Sunday morning. We pass by the “Vienna beach club” where people on ski boards are being towed upstream, across stream and downstream on a moving cable. It looks like great fun!
…The feeling is gone, only you and I, it means nothing to me. This means nothing to me. Oh, Vienna.
From the Ultravox earworm that has been plaguing me for weeks
There are so many churches here in Vienna, and they make good use of them – not just for church services or for prayer or letting hordes of tourists clomp around oooh-aaahing about the absolute religious decadence. Many of the churches are used for concerts. Yep, take music and set it in a grand ornate church and it seems you have a sellout event.
…Kraftwerk
What is this Kraftwerk? Since we’ve been riding along the Donau there’s been signs everywhere. Do the ladies of the GCWA (German country women’s association) get together at frequent intervals along the river to crochet and quilt? (Go on, shoot me for my outrageous generalisations. I like a good craft hobby as much as many others and I know a number of women in the CWA who get together and happily craft. I don’t know so many men who do the same.)
Anyway, that theory seems unlikely.
…When somebody Melks your Mojo
“Where are you going today,” the hotel owner asks as we check out.
We fumble around, searching our brains. There’s been so many places it is sometimes hard to keep up with them all.
“Krems,” Neil says, getting it first.
She purses her lips and nods. “A long way,” she says. “But it is nice. You must take the ferry across the river here.”
What? All our routes, maps and the EV6 app show the route on our side of the river (north, or the left bank).
…When the going gets hot the hot get going
With apologies to Billy Ocean
It’s getting hot here in Austria! Today’s ride is a long one, on largely unshaded roads and paths. While the river is as beautiful as always, the way is a little monotonous and exposed this morning. Because we have a 90km ride today we just crank it.
…Not salted nuts – assaulted nuts!
If there happened to be a perfect cycling day, today would be it. Not too hot, the sun is out, the route is flat, trending down, and the way is paved and smooth.
…