Sunday July 28, Aggsbach Markt

This years crop looks good.

We have had a great day, and a really good bike ride. With rain forecast for this afternoon, we set off soon after nine, the sky looking a bit ominous but the temperature was really pleasant….a good day for cycling.

This is part of the Danube cycle route from Passau in Germany to Vienna in Austria and many cycle it over a period of a week or more (or less!). We see families with young children on bikes and parents towing little bike trailers loaded up with their families gear. As well as older people with large panniers obviously doing the trek. There are a number of campgrounds along the route as well as huge numbers of guesthouses and restaurants.  The track is sealed all the way, and often follows small roads that have very little traffic. It really makes for easy riding especially as it is so well signposted.

Today’s ride to Durnstein took us through many small villages, and through huge areas of vines, which in some of the steeper parts were clinging to the steep hillsides.  This region is famous for its Gruner Veltliner wine which is extremely popular, and is very good.

Had heard a lot about Durnstein and we were looking forward to having a good look around. But sadly when we arrived the streets were wall to wall with tourists off the river boats. Signs showed that cyclists had to push their bikes through the streets and what a mission that was. The streets were lined with shops selling tourist tat and as far as we could see there was no break in the people. This is not our scene and it didn’t take much for us to decide to turn around and head back. What a disappointment. Soon we were back out in the country and enjoying our return journey. Found a really nice eating place beside the cycle path and stopped for lunch, yummy schnitzel and potato salad….and of course a glass of the local wine. Chatted with an Austrian couple who were hiking in the area, then another couple of guys on cycles. Turns out that one is a wine merchant from Vienna and he travels to Wanaka and buys NZ Pinot Noirs to distribute in Austria. Small world. Everyone loves NZ!

It was getting quite warm by the time we got back to camp with over 40 km’s travelled and it wasn’t long before the rain started. Well timed. Perfect to put our feet up with our books. We have so enjoyed our stay here at Aggsbach, very relaxing and great to be able to get out for some good rides. 

One of our most interesting rides.

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