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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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Regensburg to Budapest

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!

We arrived in Vienna Sunday morning. Everything was closed and the rain was wild. Unable to buy food we headed straight back out of town. Is my mental picture of Vienna as a deserted, wet, grey collection of motorway flyovers a unique one?!

Our hunger drove us through hideous rain across the border into Slovakia. We camped under a motorway bridge. Soldiers with AK-47s caught us but took pity in the pouring rain.

I dried out and enjoyed Slovakia and Bratislava. A cross-country shortcut saw me pop up on a dam guarded by armed police. They seemed rather surprised to have been 'left - flanked' by an English cyclist but eventually pointed me in the right direction.

And so into Hungary and Budapest. Massive plates of food, probably some spectacular sights too. Earnest calculations as to whether I can make the England cricket Test match in India on December 10th! But before that my journey is now seriously jeopardised by the terrorist situation. There are several options for me to consider; through Iran and Pakistan, north through Russia or turn right for Africa�. Something will turn up.

The Danube Canal from Passau to Vienna

The DanubeThere are 6 things you dream of on a cycling holiday: flat, smooth tarmac, beautiful scenery, easy navigation, delicious food, a welcoming bed and an enticing final destination. The Danube River has it all. Flowing thousands of miles through Europe down to the Black Sea, the Danube is one of the World's majestic rivers, dividing nations, uniting them by trade and creating a perfect cycle route ...