Bike-Ride To Australia 12th-November 2011

Bike-Ride To Australia  12th-November 2011 Vienna to Mosonmagyarovar, Hungary 62 miles. The hotel last night was a bit of a joke! It was very modern and looked expensive. And I was a bit worried about the price! But as it turned out, it was very cheap. (I know why now!) After being told that the restaurant was open till nine. And the bar till 10.45. I was a bit shocked when at 8.35, they both closed!

The girl working behind the bar just said she was closing, as she’d been there since eight this morning! Was that my fault? I nearly said that I’d been riding for 10 hours and cycled 130 km! In the end, I decided to keep my mouth shut! And just ordered a few beers before she left! Breakfast was the same this morning! It was supposed to be from 6.30, but there was no staff again. There was also a group of German women. They weren’t happy either!

The Arsenal Vienna
The Arsenal Vienna

I only realised late last night that the city I was staying in was Vienna. I thought the incompetent girl on reception, who was also the girl who closed the bar, had given me a map of the wrong city! She gave me a map of Vienna! I was staying in Wien!

Road and bridge
At the Hungarian border

It was very windy this morning, but it had died down by this afternoon, making for a pleasant ride into Hungary. My sixth country. It is also my first country where they don’t take the Euro, which I hadn’t realised until I went to buy something! So I stopped early today so that I could get some local currency. I shouldn’t need much, as I think I’ll only be here for a couple of days. The other shock after entering Hungary was Tesco’s are here! I should have brought my club card!

Cars on roundabout
Tesco’s opposite my hotel!

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Bike-Ride To Australia 11th-November 2011

World Bicycle-Tour Friday 11th-November 2011 Amstetten to Vienna 76 miles. Another pleasant evening spent in a hotel. And as always, I ate in the hotel’s restaurant. It saves me from having to go and look for somewhere to eat! Plus, I’m usually too knackered to move far! After supper, I sat with a beer to write the day’s blog. I’d just about finished and was about to head up to bed when the hotel owner came over with a bottle of schnapps and two glasses. She wanted to raise a toast to me and wish me a safe and pleasant onward journey! What a lovely gesture the schnapps went down well!

It was bitterly cold this morning. In fact, it was so cold the shorts have been retired, and I’ve put my trousers on. I think that might be the end of my shorts for a while now! Although it’s been nice and warm in the sun, but that wind was bitter! And it’s been blowing directly against me all day.

Melk Abbey
Melk Abbey, Austria

I saw a sign for Eurovelo route 6 today.

Which is the route I was following last year along the Loire Valley. I did debate following it for part of the way today, but after thinking about it, I decided against it. I’ll save that ride for another day and follow the route all the way to the Black sea.

It’s been a tough ride today after cycling into that headwind. And then, right at the end of the day, came a big hill. I would have stopped if I had the option, especially as it was already dark. But with no hotels around, there wasn’t any other option but to push on. But as soon as I arrived in Vienna, I stopped at the first hotel I came across, which might not be in the city’s best area.

Interesting Views From The Hotel

Across the road from my hotel window is a large car park, which is very busy with cars driving in. Taking a slow drive around and then heading back out, which I thought was a little strange. That was until I looked a little closer. The car park seems to be the main point for picking up prostitutes. I didn’t see them at first because they were on the side of the lamp posts. But as I look now, there are loads of them. The cars seem to come in, drive around to find the prostitute they want, and then drive off with them!

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Austria, Cycling To Australia 10th November 2011

Garry McGivern is in Austria, cycling to Australia on the 10th of November 2011. Vovklabruck to Amstetten. 80 miles. There were plenty of Japanese tourists in last night’s hotel, all snapping away at anything that didn’t move! Last night, there was a set of scales in my room, so I decided to weigh myself! Now, I’m not too sure of their accuracy, but if they’re correct, I’ve lost a stone since leaving home!

I know I’ve been cycling every day, but I don’t usually burn that much fat! Perhaps I’ve been burning all that excess weight I’d gained before leaving home! I think I’ll have to stop off in Turkey to build up again before Iran!

I had to make a rather hasty stop at a McDonald’s this morning! I don’t know what I’d eaten, but whatever it was, it didn’t want to stay in! But, looking on the bright side, at least I could make use of their free wifi! That was after using their facilities!

Austrian church
Austrian church along the road

I think they may be expecting snow soon! The poles have gone out along the edges of the road, so when the snow is lying three feet on the ground, you still know where the road is! Best I get a move on before it does snow! Despite the prospect of snow, I’m still in my shorts! Not sure for how much longer, though. It is pretty cold!

I passed the 1000 mile mark today, just! At the end of today, my mileage stood at 1002. Not much further to go then!

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Bike-Ride To Australia 9th-November 2011

Bike-Ride To Australia 9th-November 2011. Obing, Germany to Vocklabruck, Austria 80 miles. Frosty start to the day. As  I looked out of the curtains this morning, I saw that the hotel looked out over a lake! It was very picturesque with the sun coming through the mist. No time to enjoy it though, I’ve got to get moving! That’s something I always miss out on, taking advantage of what the hotel has to offer!

When I went to settle my hotel bill, I had a pleasant surprise! They hadn’t put last night’s meal or bar tab on! I wondered if I should say something, but then it’s not my fault it’s not on the bill! And I’m sure they have more money than me! In the end, I decided not to say anything and quickly paid the bill! I couldn’t get away from the hotel quick enough! Although I did feel somewhat guilty! After leaving the hotel, I made good progress and had reached Austria by lunch. I think I was peddling like mad to get as far away from that hotel as possible!

First sighting of Austria
First sighting of Austria

The sun soon burned the frost off today, and it was lovely and warm. I was even down to a t-shirt. It didn’t last long, though! As I made my way up some mountain, the clouds descended, and the temperature plummeted! I went past one of those chemists with the temperature displayed outside. It read 4 degrees c! It must have dropped a good 14 degrees in the course of a few miles! I never did see the sun again!

Not a particularly pleasant end to the day, riding in the dark and fog! And I don’t think much of Austrian drivers. They pass by so close! And don’t even toot! I’ve not felt so intimidated since riding in Morocco. Still, it’s all okay now. I’ve found a bar and am enjoying a couple of beers! Although it feels strange sitting in a bar where people are still smoking! Very odd!

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