Cycling along the Danube – part I

 

 

The day of departure came close quite fast and we were on the train towards Germany. After switching trains in Ulm we arrived to the rainy Donaueschingen and the forecast wasn’t optimistic either. We slept in a small inn and couldn’t wait for the next morning and the adventure to star.

 

 

 

Full of energy we woke up in a cold morning and started on our way, which was very nicely mrked with signs Donauradweg. These were on each crossing, straights and forests, so you really couldn’t go wrong. The clouds were above us all the time and we were cycling in long pants and short shirts. The route was vivid and sometimes not covered with asphalt. We stopped around half way through in one of the many restaurants along the way, where we had sausages. The river was flowing calmly near us. Compared to our fast and energetic green Soča, the Danube seemed quite dead. It was full of curves and meanders. Finally we reached our first day destination. The bridge we were to cross was closed due to renovation. A young couple saw us looking at the fence and came to help. In a mixture of German and English they offered to accompany us by car to hostel Sigmaringen. After passing some 100km we had to keep a quite fast tempo to follow them and reached the foot of a hill. Quite tired we toggled the steep climb and reached our red and hard to miss hostel Sigmaringen. We were used to smaller hostels we find in large cities, but this one was enormous! It looked more like a high school dormitory. We placed the bicycles behind a fence, took our bags and took care of the formalities at the front desk. Hostel Sigmaringen is nice and functional. The room is small with a bunk bed and its own shower. After a warm shower and stretching we went to the lobby, which is there for socializing. First we had a beer, next we wrote in our diary and collected our impressions. Surprisingly the hostel was quite empty and according to the receptionist, they have most guests during the summer months. They are appropriate for larger groups and individuals alike. They have volleyball and basketball fields and are equipped to take care of the cyclists (laundry, bike shop…).

 

 

Looking out the window in the morning we realized today will also be cold. We hurried down to breakfast, where we ate delicious things, prepared by three chefs! We were happy breakfast was a self-service one. If it seemed we were alone in the hostel last night, it seemed today, there are quite a few people here. We grabbed some fruit with us for the way, packed and went downhill on our path. The route was quite straight with just a few patches without asphalt. Again we had lunch half way through in a little town where restaurants were closed at 2 pm. Finally we found a fast food with an unfriendly German Turkish woman and had a steak with pasta. Seeing the time we went on. Kilometres went by fast, but the hardness of the seat started to bother me. I guess it’s because of the too long hibernation period and inactiveness. The closer we were to Ulm the more we got to feel the beat of a large city. We arrived not knowing where our hostel Ulm is, so we asked a middle-aged man who showed us the way using his iPhone. In a few minutes we reached the reception. We got our linen and went to the small room – again with bunk beds. The bathroom was common, but right next to our door. After a hard day the girl at the reception made pizzas for us and offered us a local beer. Hostel Ulm was again huge. It’s appropriate for cyclists, for it has a cellar where you can leave the cycles and a laundry. The large yard is good for outdoor activities – if the weather permits. There are shops and restaurants nearby and it’s close to the road if you come by car. It’s not as new as the previous one was, but the girl at the reception was much friendlier. We were tired, so we didn’t go out, we just turned in for the night.

 

 

After more than 9 hours of sleep we woke up with stiff legs and knees. We used the super hot hot cream and hurried to breakfast. The breakfast was served nicely. The nice girl employed there saw we were taking pictures so she offered she would take one of us. How kind! The room was big and nicely equipped. In the dining room we also met another Slovenian family and a few cyclists. At the reception we asked for a print out of a map and the location of our next hostel, paid and paddled on. At the very start our Garmin broke down. So we were left at mercy of the counter and signs. At the end you realize that’s all you need. The route was calm and flat. Arriving to city began with the industrial zone and a surprisingly nice town centre. Not even the map helped us, so we asked for help. Again a local with a smart phone could help us find the hostel. Hostel Donauwörth was again a large hotel with a view of the city. At the reception we got a code for the front door and a feeling we were alone in a huge building. The girl at the desk went home. At hostel Donauwörth we had the use of the kitchenette, so we went to a shop and got some food. The room was small but nice, although we had to share the bathroom. The cellar had the gym and a laundry. The place for bicycles and sporting equipment was separated from the hostel. Again, there were many facilities for sport and free time. The room was clean and neat. The bathrooms were on the same floor. Again we were to tired, so we went to bed early and did not get to se the nice town.