The End of the Road

We headed out for our last day of the cycling trip. . .102km (63miles).  The rest of the group will continue on to Budapest, biking another 346km.  I have really enjoyed the trip and thanks to June Wheeler for recommending ExperiencePlus Bike Tours!!!

We had fun today. . .stopping often and taking pictures!  Here are some of the highlights

An interesting side note, I have an incredible fear of crossing bridges!  I do not like to drive over them in a car let alone on a bike!  We have had to cross a number of bridges on this trip and I have been really trying to work through my fear. . . I start some deep breathing as we start over to avoid a panic attack then stare straight ahead to the other side hoping that my bike won't hop over the railing so I plummet to my death :-)!!!

Our first stop today for coffee was at a little resort-ish restaurant . . .we were the first to pull in and then some of our fellow bikers came by to join us!

Paula and I spotted a woman trying out this hammock type swing and decided we would have a try. . . let's just say I could see one of these in our new side yard in Chautauqua!!!

We rode another 30km and stopped for lunch in a town name Tulln.  It had a beautiful square with a water feature that small children danced around in while we ate lunch!  Lunch was very good when we were eating it. . . although it may have caused some problems later.

We continued on the path enjoying our last kilometers of riding on the Danube.  We did ride by some naked sunbathers. . .probably in their late 60's or 70's. . .kinda wasn't expecting that on the side of the trail!  

There have been many swans swimming on the river but we hadn't taken a picture so we passed a swan on the side of the bank and I asked Jeanna to go back and take a picture. 

 Paula and I continued down the path waiting for Jeanna to catch up. . . we pedaled slower and slower and she didn't appear.  One of the guides was riding with us and her phone rang. . .I heard the word Jeanna and not too much else. . .Jeanna had had a flat tire so another guide rode back to help her so we continued on.  About this time my stomach started to gurgle and I knew I had to get somewhere with facilities quickly. . .damn lunch!  We went on ahead and stopped at a road side cafe to wait.  I decided that it would be best for me to skip the last 20km and go to the hotel in the van. . .Paula was thinking about joining me. . .when Jeanna whizzes by the cafe without stopping!!  Paula jumps on her bike to catch up because Jeanna thinks Paula is way in front of her. . .Paula sprints for 10km to finally catch up with her ringing her bell to catch Jeanna's attention. ..  .Jeanna is in front thinking to herself why the hell is someone ringing their bell like a maniac!!!  Too funny!  

Here is Jeanna's last shot on the path with Vienna in the background:

We later discovered that after fixing her tire Jeanna was getting back on her back to see if there was enough air in the tire. . .she was on gravel, the bike slipped out from under her and she got a pretty good road rash on her leg.  Not the best afternoon for Jeanna :-(!

Tomorrow we have some massages in the afternoon and will start exploring Vienna!  In the past 6 days we have biked 513km (I actually biked 478km) which is 319miles (297 for me)!  Pretty awesome for a non biker!!!!  

Great trip, great guides, great people. .  .life is very, very good!