Day 29 - Europe 2011

A view of Passau from the Schanzlbrucke (I think).

Day 29 - Wednesday, June 22, 2011 - Deggendorf to Obernzell - Trip 74.83 Time 4:18:47

I had a good nights sleep for a change. No church bells. No street noise, well, not until 4:30 AM! I got up at 7:00 and went down for b'fast at 7:30 after doing some first aid on my sore blistered toes. Made myself a ham and cheese brotchen for later plus a large orange. I took my panniers down to the lobby in the elevator then continued on down to the garage to fetch my bike. Several other cyclists were already busy putting their panniers on their bikes. I didn't recognize the language they were speaking. It could have been Scandinavian or Czech? I took my bike up to the lobby in the elevator which was far easier than loading panniers on in the basement garage and then having to push a heavy bike up the steep garage ramp. I paid 45E for room. Put panniers on my bike and set off for Deggenau, Niederalteich, Winzer, Mitterndorf, Hofkirchen, Windorf, Gaishofen, Maierhof, Passau, Lindau, Erlau and Obernzell.
The route, which was paved, followed the Danube up to just before Winzer where I was able to take a short cut. I stopped at 10:30 for a break at a park bench in the shade by a cross. They are all along the route. An elderly German couple joined me. We were able to have a nice chat in German about our cycling and children, etc. They warned me about a bad stretch up ahead. I should have got off the cycle path and gone on the road but I missed my chance. I soon found out that they weren't kidding. A big shovel was busy widening the path. What a mess it was making. Then the path was blocked and it was an "umleitung" over very loose gavel for 300-400 M. I barely made it. It then became nice pavement again with a couple of hard packed gravel stretches. The corn, wheat, etc. fields became more pasture like and there was a lot more barge/boat traffic on the river.
I stopped at a Snell Imbiss on the cycle path for a Cola Light and a bowl of fish soup with brotchen. I went inside to order and was told I could sit at a table on the patio as there was "service". I was told this by a 50 ish year old guy who I thought was a customer. Turns out I was the only customer. While I was having lunch the Aussie couple went by. I waved but they just kept on going. I passed them later on as they were taking a break in a shady spot. She was really feeling the heat!
I arrived in Passau at 1:30 but decided it was to early to stop for the day and much to hot to go sightseeing. That was the end of book 1 of the Danube cycling series. I had to get book 2 out in order to go on. Book 2 is Passau to Vienna so look out Martin here I come.
It recommended taking the left bank route as it was in better shape and flat. In order to get to the left bank I had to back over the busy bridge I had just crossed. Fortunately there is a seperate lane for cyclists. Once I got over the bridge I set off for Obernzell. I arrived at 2:30 and stopped at a gas station for a cold drink and kuchen. I asked about a zimmer frei just on the off chance that she might know of one nearby. She got the phone directory out and called Gasthaus Zum Freishutz and reserved a room for me at 26E including b'fast. No Internet though.
I continued cycling down the main street for about 1 km and found the Gasthaus. I checked in and put my panniers in m y room. I checked the blisters of my right foot toes. They didn't look to bad. It was a very hot day - much to hot to stay in my room. I went down to the garden patio for a beer. I took my watch off to check the temperature. It was 35.8 C in the shade. When I took my watch off it was registering 33 C! I filled out my journal. To hot to do anything else so had another beer.
Two other couples arrived including the Dutch couple at 4:30 and 5:05 PM! It started raining with thunder and lightning. I asked about dinner. I was told "18:00 uhr". I went up to my room, had a shower and did my laundry.
When I went down for dinner the Dutch couple were already in the restaurant. I joined them and we had a nice chat in English. I gave them my card. They didn't introduce themselves. I still don't know their names! I guess I should have asked. While having dinner we were treated to an Umpah Pah band that went marching by in the street. The Dutch couple went out for a walk. My foot was to sore.
Before going up to my room I asked Frau about b'fast. Since tomorrow was a holiday b'fast would be at 8:00. I tried for 7:00. Nein! I tried for 7:30. Nein! She said something about being on her own ... I read the section on cycling from Passau to Linz following the right bank. Early night. Off to bed 9:00!!!
Cheers, Roly

Does anybody know what these strange looking plants are? I saw several patches of the eerie looking things along the route.

Day 28 - Europe 2011

Day 28 - Tuesday, June 21, 2011 - Regensburg to Deggendorf - Trip 95.03 kms Time 5:35:10

Another terrible night. The church bell kept waking me up every couple of hours. I had to get rid of the duvet as I was to hot - then I was to cold... Went down for b'fast at 7:00. It was quite busy so no chance to make myself something for lunch. I checked out of the hotel at 9:00 but before setting off I had to go to the bank to get more "geld" and also I wanted to go back to the shop where I saw the track suit last night. I eventually found the shop which was just opening for the day. After having a closer look I decided the material was to heavy and the jacket didn't have a full zipper.
I set off for Reinhausen just North of Regensburg in order to get on bike route to Passau. It felt like I was going in the wrong direction for the first couple of Ks but eventually I found the Passau route. It was very well signed and I was able to make it all the way to Deggendorf without getting lost. I passed through Tegernheim and Donaustauf. Saw the WALHALLA modelled on the Parthenon. When I stopped to take a photo with telelens (I'll be damned if I was going to climb all the way up there) a father and his 10-11 year old son arrived on their bikes. They noticed my helmet mirror. The young lad was curious about my mirror so I let him try on my helmet. They were doing a 100K timed ride to practice for an upcoming competition. I continued on to Demling, Bach a. d. Donau, Frengkofen, Kiefenholz (took a shortcut), Oberachdorf, Tiefenthal, Leitenberg, Pondorf (looked for Snell Imbiss but in spite of "Geofnet" sign there was no one about so had a banana and the last of my granolla bars that I had brought with me from home. Then it was on to Pittrich, Kossnach and Straubing. As I was passing through Straubing I saw a McDs so went in for a McFish, etc. It barelly filled that empty hole in my stomach but it would have to do until dinner time.
After lunch I headed for Hornstorf, Reibersdorf, Bogen, Pfelling, Mariaposching (caught up to the Dutch couple, that I had met earlier, who said they cycled from Holland leaving June 7. Madame seemed to be struiggling. They had camping gear but were looking for a Zimmer Frei). I made the mistake of following a bike sign to Metten which turned out to be the wrong direction. I had only gone about 100M or so before turning around and getting on the proper route to Deggendorf. I arrived at 4 ish. I ran into an Aussie couple also looking for an hotel. The first hotel I tried was full. He sent me to the Hotel Stadthotel where I got a room for 45E with b'fast and Internet. The Aussies arrived a bit later I guess they had gone off to check out some other hotel first.
I took off my panniers and left them in the hotel lobby before walking around the back to garage and locking up my bike for the night. I was able to take the elevator up to the 3rd floor with my bags. Showered and did laundry. I discovered I had a nasty blister on my 2nd toe which had been causing me a great deal of discomfort all day long. I drained it and put some Bag Balm on it. I had trouble figuring out where to plug in the CAT5 cable for the Internet so went down to the reception. No one there. I found a young lady in the restaurant and explained my problem to her. She came up to my room with me to show me where to plug in beside the phone jack under the bedside table!!!
I was able to check my e-mail, etc. I sent an e-mail to Jim Rogers asking him if he knew the correct procedure for extending my health coverage beyond the 5 weeks with Johnson Inc. as I was not getting a response to the e-mail I had sent them several days ago.
I went down to the hotel restaurant for dinner. As I entered a waitress said my "Frau" was waiting for me in the "garten". I was stunned. Another waitress came over and said I was the wrong guy!!! I ordered "sweinbratten" (roast pork) which came with a huge dumpling and salad and a cold beer to wash it all down with. I saw the Aussie couple paying their bill but they didn't bother to come over and chat. Just paid their bill and went out.
My foot was to sore to go "walk-about" so I returned to my room and was able to get a couple of days of blogging done.
Cheers, Roly

Day 27 - Europe 2011

Day 27 - Monday, June 20, 2011 - Ingolstadt to Regensburg - Trip 84.55 Time 4:59:12

Had to get up several times during the night because of some leg cramps. Then I was to hot - then a bit to cold. One of these days I'm going to get it just right!!! I got up at 6:45 and went down for b'fast at 7:30. It was quite busy in the restaurant. The b'fast goodies were laid out in the main lobby of the hotel - a bit helter skelter - between two eating areas. I couldn't find the cold cuts or sliced cheese, etc. As I was leaving I noticed they were on the other side of a large island pillar about 10 feet in circumference. I paid 65E when I checked out and collected my bike in the garage passageway where I had left it yesterday. I loaded my panniers on my bike and before setting off asked a delivery man who was picking up some chairs for directions on how to get to the Danube cycle path. He pointed me in the right direction. I found the path, which was just a couple of blocks away, OK but wasn't sure which direction to take for Grossmehring. I asked another fellow for directions to G. First he told me to go West and just as I was about to set off he changed his mind and said it was in the opposite direction which turned out to be correct.
The path was a mixture of hard packed gravel and pavement, mostly flat with some short hills. I passed near or through Vohburg, Dunzing, Wackerstein, Pforring, Wohr, Neustadt, Badgogging, Sittling, Staubing and arrived in Weltenberg at 11:30. This is where the guide book recommended taking the boat to Kelheim otherwise it was a tough climb over the hills along a busy road. There was a boat leaving at 11:45. I paid the 7E fair to see the "spectacular scenery" through the gorge. It was a 20 minute, 7 km boat ride. I must say I was a bit disappointed at the so so scenery. But on the other hand I did give my legs and my butt a bit of a rest.
We arrived in Kelheim at noon so I looked for a place to get some lunch. I found an Asian Snell Imbiss which had quite an extensive menu. But mostly I think it was a pizza take out place. I ordered a "brotchen with kase and schinken". A young Asian girl taking orders asked me how big. Still thinking I was going to get a submarine like sandwich I held my hands apart showing 7-8 inches. I ended up getting a medium sized pizza with tomato sauce, cheese and ham on it. It actually was quite tasty but I could only eat 3 of the 6 slices so I asked for some aluminium foil to wrap up the left over pieces. Eventually she understood what I wanted "allo..." in German and I was able to save my leftover pizza for later. I had also wanted a Cola Light but they only had 1 L bottles of Coke. As I was leaving she offered me a bottle of nice cold sparkling mineral water on the house. I filled up my water bottle and drank as much as I could.
I was able to set off for Herrnsaal at 12:30. The route was hard packed gravel, very rough in some spots. I came upon a group of cyclists all in their 40s. One fellow had fallen off his bike and landed on the gravel path. He had several cuts and bruises. He wasn't wearing a helmet!!! I offered First Aid as I had a kit with me but he refused and thanked me just the same. Apparently his front wheel had collapsed? and jammed and he was catapulted right over the handlebars. His front wheel was so badly damaged he wasn't able to ride his bike. He had to push it along and ride it like a scooter with one foot on a pedal and the other pushing him along. He was able to make it to the boat at Weltenberg and hoped to find a bike shop in Kelheim.
At Kelheimwinzer I crossed over the Danube where the route was paved all the way to Bad Abbach then it was patches of gravel again. I chose to ride on the quiet road until I reached the outskirts of Regensburg at 3:00 PM.
The first hotel I checked wanted 110E for the night but for a single they would only charge me 99E. I said as politely as possible that this was much to expensive for my budget to allow. He suggested I try the Karmeliten across the square. It turned out to be 59E with b'fast and free Wi-Fi in the bar area. I unloaded my panniers and put my bike in the storage room after checking in. The place looks just like what I imagine an abbey or a convent would be like. Upstairs in the hallways all one sees are the doors to the rooms which stick out an inch or two. Not like most other hotels where the doors are either flush or recessed.
After putting my panniers in my room (211A) I went down to the bar to chek out the Wi-Fi. I had no problem logging in - not like the previous hotel in Ingolstadt where I thought I might be having a problem with my Notebook. After checking my e-mail, etc. I went back to my room and did my laundry for the day. I then lay down for a nap before going out for dinner but the damn church bells just wouldn't let up. I found a McDs (it's cheap and quick) and besides I wasn't terribly hungry as I had finished off the leftover pizza earlier. I returned to the hotel after doing some window shopping. I saw a nice track suit that I thought I might go back and check out in AM before setting off for the day. It started raining so not much incentive to enjoy the lovely city of Regensburg. Sorry Tony. Maybe some other time. I was able to sit in the bar and type up Day 26 of my blog while sipping on a beer. There was also another guest with his laptop in the bar otherwise the place was deserted.
Hope tomorrow's ride goes as well as today's did. I didn't get lost once.
Cheers, Roly

Day 26 - Europe 2011

Day 26 - Sunday, June 19, 2011 - Hochstadt to Ingolstadt - Trip 90.14 kms Time 5:03:29

I was up bright and early - the church bells started at 5:00 AM!!! Got up at 7:00 and went down to b'fast at 7:40. The manager was surprised to see me there so early. I said the hotel notes said b'fast on weekends started at 7:30 and I had a lot of kms to pedal. He laughed. I poured myself a bowl of cereal but there was no fresh milk. The manager went off to the kitchen and came back with a big tub of yogurt and one of quark. I chose yogurt to put on my cereal. There was a nice selection of fresh fruit plus all the other usual b'fast goodies. I was able to make myself a ham and cheese brotchen for lunch later and took a hard boiled egg and a portion of pre-wrapped cheese.
Went back to my room and finished packing. Checked out and paid 43 E for my room. I took my panniers down to the garage. The manager helped me. I met three other cyclists who were already getting ready to leave for the day. They were first of all washing the previous days muck off their bikes. I said I would bring mine around in a minute. It was raining so I didn't see the point in washing off my bike it would just get dirty again. I loaded my panniers on my bike and put on my rain covers and my rain jacket. We chatted in German. I was complimented on my German!!! There were 2 guys and one lady in their 60s. The lady had a battery operated bike. I'm not sure where they were headed for. When I asked one of the guys said they were going 50 kms. I said I was heading for Ingolstadt.
Around 9:10 the rain let up so I set off for Blindheim. The rain stopped. It was a nice smooth hwy - no traffic. I passed through Gremheim, Rettingen, Donauworth, Zirgesheim, Altisheim, Graisbach, Marxheim, Bertoldsheim, Rennertshofen, Stepperg, Riedensheim, Neuburg an der Donau, Weichering and Ingolstadt. Along the way I passed a sign which pointed to "Submissionplatz". I wondered if this is where the locals took their dates for an evening of smootching!!! The route was mostly flat and paved with just a few minor hills. I had to get off and push my bike up a very steep short climb for about 200 M. I was climbing at about 5-6 kph when my front wheel hit a 1" thick branch on the path, which was wet and muddy, and caused my front wheel to skid out from under me. I didn't fall - I just had to get off in a hurry!!!
I stopped at Neuberg for lunch. The wind was really picking up and the rain kept drizzling off and on. I was able to find a bit of a shelter with a bench outside of someone's home. There didn't appear to be anyone home as no one came out to chase me off. Thank goodness I had brought a lunch as there were absolutely no shops open it being Sunday a "rutag". I was also fortunate that it was a tailwind all the way which helped make the going a lot easier.
There was not much in the way to photograph. It was mostly rural farming land and as mentioned above the occasional village.
I arrived in Ingolstadt at 2:00 PM with 80 kms on the clock. I decided to start looking for an hotel for the night. The first hotel I checked out was the Hotel Konig, The room was very small at 35E with w/c down the hall. The shower was in the room. I asked about Wi-Fi but the guy was so pissed I couldn't get a straight answer out of him. I decided to go look elsewhere as I didn't feel very comfortable about this place. I tried a few more places i.e. The Adler was 65E with 3E/hour for Wi-Fi, The Kult 95E (4 star). I eventually found the Hotel Domizil at 75E but was able to get it down to 65E with b'fast and Wi-Fi. I checked in at 3:30 PM and stopped the clock at 90.14 kms.
I put my bike away in the garage entrance which was open at both ends. I locked my bike up as well as I could. Carried my panniers up to my room and went back to the bar for a beer and filled out my journal for the day. During the day I had met several cyclists on the Donau Radweg. Two families in particular, one family of four and another of five. The youngest, about 3 years old, was riding on the back of the father's bike. Both families had their bikes fully loaded including camping gear!!! I must have passed them 3 or 4 times as I would have to stop and check my guide book and set my GPS. They just kept rolling along.
The hotel restaurant was closed on Sundays so I had to go out for dinner. The manager recommended a Croatian? restaurant a couple blocks away. He also mentioned a nearby Italian restaurant but I wasn't able to find it. The Hotel was just on the outer edge of the map that he gave me and the route he sketched in was pretty sketchy. I ended up having a nice Hause Special Spaghetti" with a salad and 1/4 L of red wine. The waiter/owner brought me a shot of Croatian snapps? Wow was it ever fruity and strong. I said if I fell off my bike tomorrow it would be his fault. He laughed. There was also a local Bierfest going on at a local park but it was a walk of a couple kms and it was really threatening to rain which it did start to do as I was walking back to the hotel.
I couldn't get the hotel Wi-Fi to work even with the help of the hotel manager and Brian, an American hotel guest, who, I guess, was supposed to be the expert on Wi-Fi connections. The manager let me use the hotel PC to check my e-mail which I did thank him for but I was reluctant to impose myself insofar as doing my blog.
Tomorrow I hope to make it to Regensburg a distance of about 93 kms. The guide also recommends taking the boat from Weltenburg to Kelheim to avoid the difficult climb through the hills and the busy roads. I think I'll give the boat a try as it also promises to be much more scenic going through the gorges on the boat. I just hope the weather cooperates.
Cheers, Roly

Day 25 - Europe 2011

Day 25 - Saturday, June 18, 2011 - Langenau to Hochstadt - Trip 72.84 kms Time 4:21:02

Got up at 7:00 as per usual. Day didn't look very promising as the skies were very overcast. Went down for b'fast at 7:30. No one else around except for the waiter. I did see a family of 3 heading back to their room after having had their b'fast. I was able to make myself a ham and cheese sandwich for later along with a pre-wrapped portion of Brie an apple and a hard boiled egg. Returned to my room and finished packing my panniers. The baggage cart I had used earlier was still in the hallway so I loaded my bags onto it and took them down to the lobby. The waiter (now receptionist) was waiting to collect my 69 E for the room. I paid him and went off to collect my bike in the garage where I had left it yesterday. It was still there all by itself.
While checking out I had asked for directions to Leipheim in order to get back on the Danube trail. While checking my Danube Bike Trail Guide I noticed that Weissingen was much closer to Langenau and on the Danube trail. I set the GPS for W. and headed out at 8:50. I missed a turn and had to turn around and go back about 1/2 a km which was no big deal as the road was paved and flat. After W I headed for Leipheim, Gunzburg, Reisensburg, Offingen, Petersworth, Gundelfingen, Lauingen, Dillingen and Steinheim. It was all pretty well flat farm land mostly paved with some hard pack stretches. Lots of dark clouds and rain off and on. I stopped at a Backerei in Dillingen for lunch. In spite of the miserable weather I decided to sit outside at the sidewalk table and chairs to keep an eye on my bike. The wind started to pick up and I had to go inside as it was to cold to sit outside. The young girl asked if I was going to be much longer or something to that effect. I had bought a cheese brotchen and a chocolate milk and was struggling to finish the large bottle of chocolate milk. I noticed there was a sign on the door saying that the shop would close at 12:30 on Saturday. It was 12:15 and I guess she wanted to close up. I quickly finished off my drink and she didn't waste anytime locking up and leaving early.
It started raining just as I was leaving for Steinheim so I had to find some shelter outside a bank and put on my covers. I also put on my leg and arm warmers and my rain jacket.
On the way to Steinheim the trail split up. I checked my guide and it said there were two routes to follow. I chose to take the trail on the right but somehow I managed to end up at the Dilligen Golf Course which was quite deserted due to the rain. I found shelter in the Practice Range shelter. There was actually someone having a lesson. I reset my GPS for Steinheim and set off in the rain. Apparently I wasn't to far off track - about 8-10 kms - but unfortunately it really started tipping down. I found shelter under an overhanging tree where there was a bit of a dry spot and waited for 10-15 minutes before setting off again for Steinheim which was only another 2-3 kms away. I finally made it to Steinheim only to discover there was only one Bett and Breakfast but there was no one home. I found shelter at a BierStubbe, went in and asked about finding an hotel. The guy told me I had to go to Hochstadt which was another 3 kms further down the road. The rain had tappered off a bit so I set off for Hochstadt which sure enough was just 2 and a bit kms away. I saw a lot of signs for "Zimmer Frei" but the first place I came to was Hotel Berg. It looked very inviting so I went in to check it out. A single room with b'fast and Wi-Fi was 43 E for the night. I decided I'd had enough foul weather for the day and checked in.
I was told to take my bike around the back where I would find a garage. The lady who had checked me in was waiting there for me to guide me back through the hotel and up to my room. She also offered me an ISOKIRSCH SPORTIVE-DRINK which I gladly accepted. I would much more have appreciated a beer but she said the bar in the Italian restaurant next door wouldn't be opened until 5:00 PM.
I was able to connect to the Internet without much trouble and checked my e-mail. I also e-mailed Johnson Ins. and asked them to extend my coverage as I was approaching the 5 week minimum length of time I was allowed to be away on a trip at the normal rate.
I did my daily laundry and lay down for a nap but the church bells were making such a racket plus there was a lot of traffic noise.
I decided to go out for a walk since the rain had stopped. Saw a huge church and a couple of drunks sitting on a bench in the main square with a bag of beer bottles. They had already managed to smash one of the bottles. I now had a decision to make - would I go back to the hotel for dinner at the Italian restaurant or would I try the Asia/Chinese Restaurant. There didn't seem to be any customers at the Asia restaurant and I had noticed that the Italian restaurant was busy. I headed back to the hotel and ended up having a pretty good pizza and a glass of red wine for dinner plus ice cream for dessert all for 8.10 E.
Went up to my room and typed up my blog for the day. Hope the weather improves for the ride to Donauworth and hopefully on a bit further tomorrow. My room smells like a laundromat!!!Cheers, Roly

Day 24 - Europe 2011

Day 24 - Friday, June 17, 2011 - Allmendingen to Langenau - Trip 64.80 kms Time 4:29:23

In spite of it being a very quiet hotel (no traffic noise, no church bells, etc) I had a bit of a restless night due to some leg cramps from all the previous days hill climbing. The girls woke me up at 6:00. I later found out from Jurgen Dietz (the manager) that they were working on a local Telecoms? project. All quite young - in their 20s. by the time I got down to b'fast they were all gone. Checked out. Paid 48 E. When I went to collect my bike I asked Jurgen if he had a bicycle pump. He helped me check front and back wheel tire pressures. I left for Schelklingen (5.40 kms according to my GPS) at 8:20. The GPS took me up a very steep hill. The path was paved at first but after about 1 km it became loose gravel through very dense forest. At one point I came upon a couple of forest workers. They just stared at me as though I was some kind of an idiot!!! The hill became a mountain and I just kept climbing and climbing. I had to get off and push my bike up the hill for about 1 km twice. After about 9 kms I reached a village - no idea what it was called. I was able to ask an old gentleman, who was just about to set off for a ride on his bike, for directions to Blaubeuren. He pointed me in the right direction where I was able to find a sign for Schelklingen which said it was 7 km down the road. Fortunately it was paved and all downhill at 40 + kph most of the way. Because I was very sweaty I was quite cold going down the mountain. In S. as I was coming out of an underpass and going up a steep ramp I stood up to pedal and my chain broke. I had to go back 10 M to pick up my chain which had completely come off. I walked over to an ice cream place (it was closed) and found a bench in the shade and was able to repair my chain. It was 10:00 when I started and by 10:40 I was back on the road again heading for Blaubeuren. The repairs were good and my chain and shifting were working quite smoothly.
I reached Herrlingen at noon, saw an Asia Snell Imbiss and decided it was time for lunch. I hadn't stopped for a snack as I usually did around 10:30-11:00 so I was quite hungry and thirsty. I had a huge chicken noodle stir fry and tea. It was delicious but man was I ever stuffed. I decided to push on and give Ulm sightseeing a miss. I had just passed Thalfingen around 2:00 when one of my brakes stopped working. I thought it was the rear brake as my pannier was rubbing on the brake. I continued on to Oberelchingen where I asked for a bike shop. I was told I must go on to Langerau (7 km) which was not on the Danube trail. On the way I met Alex, a young student, who spoke very good English, and he took me to a bike shop in Langerau.
I was able to take my bike into the shop where a mechanic adjusted my rear rack support so that my pannier no longer rubbed on the rear brake and he also fixed the front brake. He said the brake pads were almost done!!! No charge. I left a 5E tip at the cash for the mechanic. Alex then helped me to find an hotel. The first one we tried was Gasthause Linde but it didn't open until 17:00. It was only 15:00 so we went around to several other hotels where there was either no answer, on vacation or only a bed (no hot water, etc). I finally went to the Hotel Lobinger and was able to get a room at 69 E including b'fast and Wi-Fi in the room. I thanked Alex for all his help and said goodbye. He had to go to the police station to report an accident where he had been forced off the road by another motorist who refused to pay for the repairs for all the damage that had been done to his car.
After putting my bike in a garage and locking it up I carried my panniers up to my room on the 1st floor. Very nice 3 star hotel. I washed out my cycling outfit and hung it up to dry in the armoire where I found a small fan. Thank goodness for the fan as there is no air circulation at all in this room and it is quite hot. I was able to connect to the Internet and check my e-mail. After a short nap I went out for dinner. There was a Queens Pub just across the street but they didn't serve food. They recommended the Gasthause Shinke? just 500 M around the corner where I was able to get a nice French Onion soup and a small Pils. As I walked back to the hotel it started drizzling. As I said earlier I walked into the hotel and there was absolutely no one around. I was able to complete Day 23 and 24 of my blog.
Cheers, Roly

Day 23 - Europe 2011

Day 23 - Thursday, June 16, 2011 - Mengen to Allmendingen - Trip 73.72 kms Time 4:39:39

Re Tony's comment: Thanks for the vote of confidence.....
Had a bit of a restless night. Some cramps in my left thigh. Got up at 7 and went down for b'fast at 7:30. Several others already in restaurant. They look like local tradesmen most likely working on a local building site. Tried to connect to Internet but no luck. Went into bar area after b'fast where I had a good connection yesterday but again no luck. Hotel manager rebooted router and I was able to log on and check my e-mail and RBC account. I paid my hotel bill (38 E) and laundry bill (12E). Manager said he would bring my laundry up to my room later. I waited until 8:30 - still no sign of my laundry. I went downstairs and after eventually finding the manager I asked him if I could please have my laundry. I followed him down into the bowls of the hotel basement and there was my laundry still hanging up on the clothes lines. The manager started folding my clothes but I said I would fold and pack everything up in my room. He gave me a laundry basket and I quickly threw everything in it and took it up to my room. That was a mistake as my room was very hot. The basement had been much cooler. Anyway I got my clothes folded and packed and checked out of the hotel. Or so I thought. I had to go looking for the manager again to get my bike out of the garage. It's amazing how they run these hotels. There is never anyone around. This evening I walked into my hotel in Langerau at 8:30 and met no one at the reception, in the restaurant, in the bar, in the hallways, etc.
I was able to leave for Hundersingen at 9:30. I found the bike route which was mostly paved and flat until I missed a right turn and started up a hill towards Beuren. I stopped after 200 M and checked my cycle guide. I went back down to the bridge over the Danube and followed the correct route along the river. The pavement became gravel but hard packed and smooth. This lasted for 30 kms or so then it was all hills and more hills after Binzwangen. I went through Riedlingen, Zell, Zwiefaltendorf, Obermarchtal, Untermarchtal, Algershofen, Munderkingen, Rottenacker, Dettingen and Ehingen. This is where I lost the trail. I didn't notice at the time but the next page in the guide was through the BLAU VALLEY (A VARIANT). Using my GPS I headed for Allmendingen. It was all uphill. By the time I got to A. it was after 3 PM and I had done 73 + kms of pretty tough climbing in 28-30 C temps. I found a nice hotel for 48E with b'fast included and Wi-Fi (in the hallway).
After checking in and before putting my bike away I mentioned to the manager (about 30ish) that I was having trouble with my rear derailleur. He just took off!!! In a few minutes he returned with a bike stand and proceeded to check/clean my rear jockey wheels, etc. There was a lot of "smutz" on the lower wheel which he removed with a popsicle stick and a toilet brush. He then gave everything a good spray with WD40. Shifting was a lot better. I think I might also have a kink in my chain and/or it also needs a good cleaning.
I carried my panniers up to my room and went out for a walk. First thing I came to was a Bakerei. Went in for a cold drink and a piece of Rhubarb/cherry tort. I walked on a bit further and found a Biergarten. Went in for a "ein grosse Pils" (3E) and filled in my journal. The temperature was now up to 31 C (29.1 C in the shade). I'm glad I had stopped cycling for the day. I had hopped to make it to Ulm but that would have to wait until tomorrow.
Walked back to the hotel and washed the days cycling outfit. Hotel laundry charges are a bit to high!!! I called the manager (Jurgen Dietz) and asked about Wi-Fi. He said he would call me back in 10 minutes with a username and password. He had to go to the computer to generate them. A few minutes later he called back but I wasn't able to connect in my room. He said sometimes it's better closer to the door. I ended up in the stairwell about 20 M from my room before getting a connection. Oh well, at least I was able to check my e-mail, etc.
I lay down for a nap before going out for dinner but there was a large group of girls in the hotel and most of them had gathered in the room next to mine. They were really whooping it up. Must have been about 20 of them. I went out for diinner. Light rain. I saw a farmer bringing in the cows on the main street. One of the cows just stopped and starred at me. She was probably wondering who this strange looking character was who was wandering about in her village?
I went back to the Biergarten that I had found earlier (there were no other choices) and had Schweinbraten, Spaetsle(?) and a salad with a glass of white wine (Trocken). There were not many, if any at all, people about.
When I got back to the hotel the girls were still going at it and making quite a racket. It was only 8 PM. I thought to myself that I was going to have another rough night trying to get some sleep. I decided to ignore them for the time being and set up my Notebook in the stairwell where there was a nice comfy chair and typed up Day 22 of my Blog. The manager stopped by on his way to deliver 2 bottles of beer. We had a nice chat. He was quite fascinated by my blog, etc. By 9 it was getting pretty dark in the stairwell (lights on a timer) so I packed it in and hit the sack at 9:30.
Amazingly the girls all settled down at 10:00!!!
Cheers, Roly