Biking from Passau to Vienna

On September 1st we (Christie, Dad and I) set off from Passau, hoping to arrive 6 days later in Vienna. We had a bit of an interesting start, as the signage in Passau was not great and we had some trouble finding the start of the Donauradweg (Danube bike path). But we finally found it!

Finally ready to go!

Day 1: Passau to Kobling

Made it to Upper Austria!

Lunch at a lovely restaurant on the river

Made it to Kobling ... one building and a ferry stop

About 50 km Passau to Kobling

Day 2: Kobling to St. Florian

Ready for the second day!

Biking along the Danube, with the industry of Linz in the background

Once we made it to Linz, we did not even really stop. We then left the river, heading to St. Florian. Due to some large, busy roads we had some minor trouble getting there. After some confusion, but luckily only one loop, we did make it (exhausted) to our hotel. After a rest we went to see the church at the large monastery.

Beautiful interior and organ

And then of course some food!

72 km from Kobling to St. Florian

Day 3: St. Florian to Grein

We spent the morning in St. Florian and took a tour of the monastery. We only started our biking for the day at about lunch time. After a long day the day before, we had a shorter ride to make it to Grein for the night. 

Much wider than the Rhein or Main

Only 50 km!

Day 3: Grein to Melk

We started off the day with an amusing ferry ride across the Danube. The driver started the boat across, then left the wheel to come and collect fares. But because there were so many of us on there, it took longer and the boat needed to be redirected. Luckily a fellow passenger stuck his arm in the driver's area and steered a bit for us :) The driver (and many passengers) found this amusing. 

And it wasn't even high tourist season ...

I touched the Danube!

And another monastery. This one was also beautiful, but did not have the same empty atmosphere. Melk was a tourist trap with not nearly as good a tour. But still an impressive building!

The view from the courtyard in front of the church

47 km from Grein to Melk

Day 5: Melk to Krems

We had a bit of a taste of what was to come the following day - some sprinkles and one intense shower. Luckily we could try and get out of the rain and wait it out.

Trying to stay dry as we waited for it to pass

By the time we made it to Krems it was dry, and we had a late lunch near our hotel. When we entered the restaurant it was absolutely full of parents and kids. Finally I realized that it was their first day of school, and as they end about lunch time, all the families were out celebrating. Dad and I then wandered around Krems in the afternoon, before finding a grocery store to buy food for dinner. After dinner we all walked along the river.

Krems riverfront

Shortest ride of the whole trip - 36 km from Melk to Krems

Day 6: Krems to Vienna

Well, the weather saved the most impressive for last ... it poured on us almost the whole way to Vienna, stopping just as we entered the city. We, however, barely stopped. The paths were great and we pretty much kept going for 85 km to Vienna. A couple short stops, one to eat some sandwiches for lunch.

Dad was prepared ... poncho from the Maid of the Mist at Niagara Falls

Taking a break out of the rain

Finally entering Vienna

Over 80 km in one day!!!

And finally, feeling very accomplished but completely soaked, we arrived in Vienna and made it to our hotel. We were staying at the Schottenstift (monastery) near Schottentor. Our room soon looked like a laundry room with all our wet clothes hanging everywhere, and we quickly overheated the hairdryer. Thankfully our stay in Vienna went back to sunny and warm!