To - Regensburg
Distance - 85km
Time - 6.5 hours
Total - 2346km
The owner of this pension seemed keen on me having breakfast between 6 and 7am. I went down at 6.50am. I know I am a keen rider and usually early at getting up but it is still a bit early. It takes me no time at all to pack my panniers and get on the road but I don't want to go before half past eight today. It's quite a distance but I didn't feel so much like flogging myself today.
My objectives for the day were a) get to Regensburg, b) check with bike shops along the way to see if they have the Avid BB5 disc brake pads I need and c) book accommodation at Mestre, just outside Venice for mid June.
Mission accomplished with a and b. I. Am at Regensburg and I phoned a cycle shop that was at Kelheim and he had the disc brake pads and I stopped there and he reluctantly fitted them. Wen I say reluctant he just had a demeanour of not wanting to be at work. He was the only person there and he wasn't actually a bike technician. As far as c goes I have a reply email from the apartment owner wanting a bank transfer but it seems rather difficult doing it whilst here. I will give it some thought and check to see what I can do by Internet banking.
Anyway, it's been an action packed day and its been a whole lot better than yesterday even though it was still showery and grey and cool.
I made my phone call to the cycle shop at Kelheim which is just over halfway along the route. I knew they closed at 2pm and whilst I knew I should get there comfortably before then I put my head down and cycled without calling in at the small towns along the way. The back brake was again worthless. I cycled on a long muddy path and was probably trying to go a bit too fast when I got stuck in a deep groove and fell off. It was my first proper fall off, my other incidents were more collisions with things after I had lost control! I know you on,y have my word for it but it was an elegant fall with a 'parachute' roll at the end to get clear of the bike. I was unhurt and the bike was unscathed too.
I cycled past a place called Bad Goggling. I thought it was a failed Internet search website!
The cycling was broken up by a visit to Weltenbrg Benedictine Abbey which is billed as the 'must see' abbey in the whole of Bavaria. It had a lovely setting, by the Danube and near the gorge. It was founded in 610AD, that's 610 anno domini and not ten past six 'after dinnertime'. The second photo shows the inside of the Abbey, it was stunning.
Next, my guide book told me to hope on a boat for 5km down the Danube through the gorge and to the town of Kelheim. It wasn't the promise of beautiful views that persuaded me to board the ship it was the alternative of about 8km of climbing hills. It certainly made a pleasant alternative and the views were nice and I also saw the circular Hall of Liberation on the top of a hill which was built by King Ludwig I to commemorate the liberation from Napoleon's rule.
Then I got my brakes fixed by the grumpy chap. Thank goodness the shop was quiet otherwise I think he would have refused. I had to tell him how to do it and I probably could have managed myself but it helps to have the proper tools. I was much relieved to have working brakes again.
I had a bit of lunch, in other words what I had plundered from the breakfast buffet. I carried on to Regensburg. I always had a feeling that the city would be an unknown gem. That's unknown to us Brits. It is a wonderful old city centre that felt vibrant. The first square I went into there was a woman protesting against something. She was lying down inside a bread bun with blood (or tomato ketchup) all over her and a man next to her with a cleaver! I think it was something against eating meat? Then I was accosted by a group of men dressed in Bavarian gear pulling a cart full of bier and singing songs. One was playing the accordion and they explained that one of the men was getting married and this was part of his celebration. They gave me a bier and asked for a donation. They told me about a festival that was taking place tonight, they called it the 'Dult'. It involves Bavarian music and drinking bier, they said it was the best event f the year. The man with the accordion then played 'God Save the Queen' and I toasted her health. Then I met a couple of Dutch people who were also cycling and they were really friendly to say we on,y bumped into each other in the street.
After that I had a walk around some of the man places including at least three churches and the old bridge across the Danube. It was all very scenic.
I headed for the Hostel and got booked into a room for 4. It looks fully occupied but I haven't seen the others yet. I am on a top bunk, that could be interesting especially if I have a few biers tonight!
Photo 1, Weltenburg Abbey.
Photo 2, Inside the church at Weltenburg Abbey.
Photo 3, Half a boat that took me on the river.
Photo 4, View from the top deck.
Photo 5, Hall of Liberation, near Kelheim.
Photo 6, Woman in a burger?
Photo 7, Bavarian man on a stag do.
Photo 8, Rathaus aat Regensburg.
Photo 9, What the best dressed Bavarian girls are wearing this season.
Photo 10, Get ahead, get a hat. Bavarian style.
Photo 11, Looking back from the old bridge to the bridge tower.
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