When will this rain ever end? Another night of downpours and it is mentally draining. The route following the Danube is breathtaking and the roads are like velvet, I would just prefer that the weather would behave itself and we get to see some ray of sunshine and enjoy it at its best.
I had planned to leave earlier than I did, but the rain just wouldn't let up. I didn't so much pack as just shove my sopping wet tent into a pannier and get on with it. Michael felt much the same way, although he had been out on the lash big time last night and was taking forever to get it together this morning. I was in no rush though as I sat in the grey and overcast marina having a cup of tea.
In the end we decided to cycle together again and finally set off mid morning. We were only planning to get to Linz which was 40KM so it shouldn't take too long. Although it did take us longer than expected as we took an additional 10KM detour after missing a sign telling us that the road ahead was impassable and chose to ignore a lovely lady who shouted out after us trying to explain the same thing.
It isn't the first time on this trip that I have come across signage explaining that the route is inaccessible when in fact you usually can make it through, but not on this occasion. There had been a rockfall or some such event and as we were attempting to carry our bikes through a tiny gap, a couple of security guards came out and told us to go back in no uncertain terms.
Rather sheepishly, and about 45 minutes later, we cycled back past the lady who had helpfully been telling us not to go any further and then take a small ferry that had been set up to cross over the river so that we could continue on the other side.
Whilst waiting for the outrageously expensive boat to arrive (the operators clearly had a captive market here), I bought the world's most expensive reheated frozen pizza as we chatted to the enterprising Austrian lady who spoke perfect English with an American twang, having spent several years in New York. It must have been strange to come back to living here, I thought. Nothing on earth farther from New York, but she had obviously spotted an opportunity and she was so pleasant, it didn't matter a bit.
Michael was great company, I have to say. He had been on a couple of cycle trips and had a much more pragmatic outlook on everything than I did. It was great to have the company and we stopped off along the way, myself rather more keen than he to sample some of the over-the-top pastries in the pretty village of Ottensheim.
As we approached the outskirts of Linz, the view turned to uninspiring to say the least. We followed a cycle path along the main road which was unending works. Michael's bike was in need of attention and as we stopped off at a cycle shop, I realised that I had a couple of broken spokes myself, not surprising when you think I am 98K and have two heavy panniers to bring along as well.
Whilst waiting for the guy to fix us, we found some student accommodation which doubled as a hotel which was bliss. I took my sopping wet tent down to the basement drying room, bought some actual washing powder and washed all my dirty stuff in an actual washing machine and then we set out to find something to eat.
It was pretty late and things were closing, but Linz did seem like a nice enough town and we found a decent enough restaurant.
Great nights sleep and it looks like the rain may be abating tomorrow, so good times.
Comments