Watch my Relive video here!: https://www.relive.cc/view/v4OGR5wR35v
Today was sort of a ‘rolling recovery’ day. It was shorter, only 74 km and climb was less at 2,149 ft (but still almost 3 times the climb of the EC Way 160). The route had 5 climbs as opposed to yesterday’s 24, and most of the elevation was in the first third. This was because we were riding out of the foothills to the Danube river valley and river’s edge.
a new friend and sweet sunrise in Burg Plankenstein…
We coffee’d at a cute vegan cafe, I had a cappuccino and vegan chocolate cake.
At least half to two thirds of our route was on paved bike paths, meandering and winding through many small villages. Austria has its cycling act together; quiet paved roads, respectful motorists, hundreds of miles of paved bike paths and very little stupid gravel.
We rolled through countryside with acres and acres of mixed farming, identifying more than 15 kinds of vegetables, fruit and grains, eventually leading to nothing but vineyards.
check this clip: DEEEC826-18D8-4D14-A399-3AD1998E7E83
Check this clip: 4C615374-A333-437D-BF31-4633FE06A1F3
Check this clip: EC1D4584-EB61-43A0-B301-58408F4125F9
I crossed the Danube river to enter the charming town of Durnstein. This is the fifth major world river I have crossed on a bike!
Our destination was Durnstein and we had a picnic lunch before checking into our hotel for the next 2 nights. Check this clip: IMG_4599
and this one: IMG_4600
and this one: IMG_4603
Durnstein is on the banks of the Danube river and in the green hills of the Waldviertel (forest district) and the Dunkersteinerwald ( dark stone forest).
High above the Town is the remains of Durnstein castle, of import because Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned here after being captured on his return from the Crusades. He was released when a ransom of 100,000 dollars ( in the 1100’s!) was paid, money that came from taxing the English citizens to death.
Because we arrived early into Durnstein, 4 of us hiked up the steep mountain face to Durnstein Castle.
the boys!
A beverage was in order on our return to town…
Dinner was on our own so James, Bruce and I chose a restaurant in the Schloss Durnstein Hotel on the terrace overlooking the river.
the terrace atop the rock
A stroll around this picturesque town…
And tomorrow we rest in whatever form that takes, as long as it is off the bike( well not for the guides, they are checking over and fixing/ cleaning our bikes and prepping for the next week). I think I will enjoy the hotel pool, since the temperatures are in the mid to high 30’s
Life is good in Durnstein.
Tour Update: Team Canuck started with 4 riders, with their bikes but one missing luggage, they recruited 5 cycling mercenaries( 1 missing luggage, 1 missing bike) at a steep price and re-branded as the Cycletooth Army, 4 tested positive for Covid, one Team Canucker went home, then 1 positive rider came back but much fatigued, then one more tested positive, now a new Team Canuck rider arriving with no bike, and 3 positive riders returning to the team…if you are keeping score at home, Richard and Team Plantagenet are still leading but even with Cycletooth Army’s setbacks, they plan to take the overall lead in the Tour by weeks end. Stay tuned!