Introduction
Well, we have less than a week before we start so it is time for introductions : There is me – Andrew – approaching 50, and an enthusiastic if occasional cyclist. I love watching the Tour on TV and reading magazines, but find it significantly harder to drag myself onto a bicycle and ride.
Then there is Belinda – of a similar age and disposition to me, but Australian and therefore self-assured of her sporting superiority – we shall see !
And last, but by no means least, is Lucia, our daughter. She accompanied me on a previous tour 6 years ago, and has been encouraged to venture back out onto two wheels. Fond of rest stops and less fond of hills, the trip along the Danube should be perfect – again, we shall see !
Seasoned travellers all of us (by way of airport lounges and air conditioned comforts) and very part-time cyclists, we decided on this trip mainly because
a) we fancied something different b) we had already done a canoeing holiday c) we wanted to say that we had covered three countries and three capital cities by bike.
We booked the trip via www.skedaddle.co.uk and are hiring bikes when we get to Vienna – so let the journey commence….
The Itinerary and Route Wednesday July 2, 2014 This is our itinerary : Perhaps rather regimented and safe for the more adventurous, but suits us down to the ground – with the added bonus that someone moves the majority of our luggage from place to place each day, leaving us to carry the minimum required and enjoy it all the more.
Day 1 – 07/07/2014 – Arrive Vienna
Day 2 – 08/07/2014 – Free Day and Overnight in Vienna
Day 3 – 09/07/2014 – Free Day and Overnight in Vienna
Day 4 – 10/07/2014 – Vienna – Bratislava 42 Miles / 68 Kms Approx.
Day 5 – 11/07/2014 – Free Day and Overnight in Bratislava
Day 6 – 12/07/2014 – Bratislava – Mosonmagyaróvár 27 Miles / 44 Kms Approx.
Day 7 – 13/07/2014 – Mosonmagyaróvár to Gyõr 25 Miles / 41 Kms Approx.
Day 8 – 14/07/2014 – Gyõr – Komárom 34 Miles / 55 Kms Approx.
Day 9 – 15/07/2014 – Komárom – Esztergom 35 Miles / 57 Kms Approx.
Day 10 – 16/07/2014 – Esztergom – Szentendre – Budapest 36 Miles / 58 Kms Approx. (plus boat trip)
Day 11 – 17/07/2014 – Free Day and Overnight in Budapest
Day 12 – 18/07/2014 – Departure
This is an approximation of the route:
The first day – but no cycling yet – that comes later