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Down the Danube to Budapest was PERFECT cycling. I honestly cannot imagine a more perfect stretch on my entire journey. The only downside was scores of fellow cyclists - middle-aged Germans in purple shellsuits and indecent lycra. Hardly conducive to me thinking of myself as a tough adventurer!

Reports from the European and Middle East leg - Budapest (27 September 2001)

Roundtheworldbybike
2005-11-17 20:22:10

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at the same time. It is a heady mix of history, landscape, wildlife and delicious beer and wine.

The Danube is not just for long-distance loonies. It is for everyone. Today alone I rode past families, young couples, septaguanarians and even a lady with a pair of crutches on the back of her bike, all enjoying the traffic free cycle paths. Every junction is perfectly signposted, whether the path is winding through head - high cornfields, beside the river, through whitewashed, red - roofed villages, vineyards, orchards or deep in spectacular forested gorges past imposing castles.

The journey is a cruise - 20, 40, 60 miles a day - any distance s realistic. It is entirely up to you. Flat tarmac solely for bicycles and warm autumnal days means the miles flow easily. It is impossible to imagine a set - up more perfect for cycling. Beer gardens lie beside the trail, tempting you with morning tea, lunchtime beers and meals and afternoon cakes and coffee. All this and the glorious Danube sliding by may well seriously limit the number of miles cycled each day! For those whose appetite outstretches their wallet (like me), village stores and supermarkets guarantee regular breaks for enormous cheese and ham baguettes on the river banks.

Every 2 or 3 miles is a small village, each with several guesthouses welcomng weary cyclists with Austrian hospitalty and fine food. Frequent campsites cater for those on a tighter budget.

From Passau (near the German - Austrian border) to Vienna is 200 miles, an ideal distance for a relaxing week away, or why not spend a few days in Vienna as a memorable climax to your journey? As I continue my round the world journey, this stage will really take some beating.

Passau is easily accesible from Munich. It would be easy to return by train at the end of your journey. Cheap flights from go-fly.com etc. To keep costs down bring your own bike - anything from a 1 speed granny shopper to a fancy mountain bike would be perfect. Panniers, etc., are available by mail order from Edinburgh - bicycle.co.uk. There's no need to book accommodation at this time of year - you can be very flexible.

Or get all your accommodation sorted, bicycles provided and luggage transported from hotel to hotel - try eurobike.at or touristik.at. Several British-based companies also arrange the trip.