Map 55

We made it.  A total of 457.23 miles in 10 days.  Today, the ride into Passau was 60.56 miles. Reward is a 6th floor suite overlooking the Danube.

Have a hoppy day

Had a cool and short ride to the Weltenburg Abbey. The Abbey is on a bend of the Danube that is the entrance to a gorge with limestone cliffs on both sides.  On the other side of the river from our room is a forest. The Abbey has been brewing beer since 600.  They know what they're doing. Beautiful, two room simple apartment.
Ferry ride out in the morning.
Over 337 miles covered with ~107 left.

Dry and cold

A dry but cool day.  The sun keeps trying to find a way out.

Hello sunshine

Beautiful sunny day. Started the ride with friends, Horst and family.  Thanks for being wonderful hosts!  Along the way we spotted a tube vending machine.  Made Donauworth before sunset.  Was welcomed by a ol car rally.  Wish I could have seen it.  First hotel was full.  They suggested one a km up the hill.  They were also full.  Several phone calls were made, and we were sent to a hotel a km down the hill.  Oh nooooo, it was the same one.  This time Debbie went in.  More phone calls were made, and a hotel was found.  All is well.

Gore Tex

It was one of those days. Gore Tex was the name of the day.  You put your head down and ride.  There is no beautiful scenery, no trees, only the rain.  We had an hour of sun, just enough to take off the rain kit, then the dark skies closed in again.  Reached Ulm in time to climb the largest church steeple in the world.

Riedlingen

Beautiful town.  Seems to get a good chunk of its revenue from cyclists.  We are everywhere in town.  I am starting to recognize different groups of cyclists and see them in town.

The sun appears !

The morning started off very foggy and slowly turned into a wonderfully sunny day.  The first half stayed in a very tight  valley with limestone cliffs on both sides.  Hard to describe the beauty of this ride. The path finally opened up to wide, flat corn fields as we came into Riedlingen. On the approach into town, an elderly couple asked us where we were going and if we needed a place to stay.  She suggested two hotels that were nice but not expensive.  They also suggested the other side of the river as it was wider. The people we meet are very friendly.

Trail signs

We are now on a main route that follows the Donau.  There are many routes that come and go along the way.  The route is very easy to follow with several groups of touring cyclists along the way.
The builders of the trail system are very serious about what they do.  Pictured is a healthy bridge over a set of railroad tracks.

Under construction

The source of the storied Donau is a spring.  Not a very inspiring view.