Unbelievable Danube

Arrived in Budapest and what a city it looks. As bad as the weather was when I started this trip, it has been stunning since arriving in Austria. Since leaving Bratislava I have followed the Danube on the extension of cycleway 6 which is the route from the source of this river to its mouth on the Black Sea. For those who like the idea of something different, cycling for social reasons, a bit of fundraising or whatever, the concept of cycling between Vienna and Budapest in a week may be very appealing, 3 countries in a few days, fabulous views, cheap beer, indeed it is a heady combination.

On leaving Bratislava I ran into a group of 17 Brits from London who were doing the above cycle trip. This is something they do annually for fun and do it in different locations. What a bunch, everyone to the man were so interesting, ready to chat. This group has history, one member whose name I have forgotten( My apologies gents, for those who know me, memorising names is not a strong point, so again my apologies.) initiated the whole concept of raising funds for charity, something he started in 1992. Since then he has raised individually just shy of a million , what an effort. Many of the group are activly involved in raising money for the Norwood Trust / Foundation which raises money for those with handicaps. Invariably cash is raised from cycle tours; this year the venue is Sri Lanka. Just a great day riding with these guys who then kindly invited me to join them for dinner. My thanks to you all for your kindness, to James, Dave, Daniel, Phillip the leader of this particular trip and Michael and all the rest of you. May I also express my profound thanks for your generosity in donating to my charity Children with Cancer UK and for those of you who additionally thrust notes into my pocket. Im really grateful to you all, just a real highlight bumping into you.

Up until recently meeting long distance cyclists has been rarer than hens teeth. Until yesterday when quietly cycling along the Danube bank I bumped into a dozen or so Croats who are cycling from Zagreb to London. Of course I stopped and said hi. They swarmed around me, cameras out, not sure how my reputation had spread quite this far so quickly, but I was soon brought down to reality. It was Cynthia who was drawing all the admiring glances! 'its a Thorn', 'wow, never seen one of these', 'steel is real' (a catch phrase used in the companies literature). She was certainly getting the treatment. They think this is the greatest bike on the planet, but Cynthia was the first they had seen in the flesh. Strike one up for British manufacturing.

Last night I laid up short of Budapest in a campsite, and made my way this morning into the city, which unfolds as the river winds. Architecture is amazing, very like the Thames in places. Prior to the city itself you cycle aside waterfront housing, loads of cafes, its a very pleasant environment. Found a hostel, the Wombat, just opened, and very nice. Here for 2 nights, want to explore the city and plan the ongoing route which at this stage I have no idea.

Have a couple photos to upload but cannot do it on this bit of kit. Oh rode into the city with 2 fine Aussies (Gayle and Tom from Canberra). I wondered when the antipodeans would make a showing, there's always some around somewhere. They have done the whole Danube. Ok will say cheers for now, going to explore, 30 degrees outside, so feel a beveridge coming on!!!!!

Bratislava or bust

Left Vienna today after 3 great days exploring. Beautiful city but if you were to offer me a ticket to Prague or Vienna, I would take Prague. Just felt very much at home in Prague, loved the labyrinth of pedestrian areas, also think the waterfront was more accessible and attractive. I have done well cycling through Austria, almost perfect conditions and today was no exception. Left the city via parkland and picked up the cycle route that will eventually take me to Budapest on the other side of the Danube. Initially, you follow the river and also observe the naturist sunworshipers for several kilometers. Always a pleasant event observing the female form and this was no different. I then lost the river and around 2 hours later came across Henri's cafe and bar. This is situated on a cycle route and is a wonderful concept. Looking at the waistlines, I would guess that many are very recreational cyclists and that might be stretching a point. I went looking for a coke, but for twice the quantity and 20p more I could get a beer; no contest. This slipped down well and I continued on an excellent path picking up the Danube close to Bratislava. Its pretty wide, moreso than the Tamar and it cetainly isn't blue, not by any stretch, more like the swirling muddy morass that is the River Parrett which lies or runs through Bridgwater and isnt the most scenic piece of river you will ever see.
Bratislava is only 67km from Vienna and I arrived just around lunch. Wow, beautiful city, similar in many respects to Prague, not surprising really, superb historical quarter, the architecture is stunning. Populationwise, its about the size of Bristol, so not that big. What does stand out are the stunning ladies that inhabit this place. Good grief, its a good job that most of the areas I went through were pedestrianised! Bratislava like Prague has a really good feel to it so have billeted in a hostel tonight and will then head for Budapest some 320kms away tomorrow again following the Danube. Should be a cracking run. Beer cheap so no worries here.
Will try and sort the photos out, otherwise cheers for now.

G'day Vienna

Arrived in town this morning, superb weather right across Austria. I have already spent a couple hours cycling around the city and once sorted will take a good look. It looks a beautiful city on the face of it.
Its taken 5 days from Prague, Prague itself was definately worth the call, that and the beer (very cheap) were the highlights of the Czech Rep for me. The cycle from Prague to the Austrian border was great for the first 50 kms. then almost 2 days of hill after hill, 1:8's usually, so it wasn't cycling in the strict sense, more like pushing the bike up a hill and freewheeling down it and so on and so on. Hard going and much as I liked the Czech people I wasn't that impressed with much else, take away Prague and their isn't anything worth going for.
What a contrast coming into Austria. Of course unshackled by a history of former Soviet influence, this is a lovely country; great cycling excellent roads and directional signage; the countryside is beautiful, a real patchwork, of course I was on the lowland belt so much easier. The villages a very pretty with an assortment of different coloured houses, attractive architecture and a feature being a very small church that sits in the village square. Oh and cafes again. No problem cycling into Vienna, dead easy. Plan on staying here for 3 days then cycle the Danube route through Bratislava and onto Budapest. If the weather holds should be a good run. Averaged over 100kms a day in Austria, my best 117kms, now around the 2000 for the trip.
Must say its been great travelling through here. Since Prague people are starting to comment on where I'm from and what I'm doing, quite a buzz really. Having sorted the Information out earlier I turned the corner and right opposite was a Starbucks! So there is a God! Straight in for a big on and a double choc muffin. Last night I laid up about 30km from the City and slept in a wild cherry orchard, just beautiful and the sunrise was amazing.
Well think that will do it, haven't forgotten the photos, will try and sort them out.