July 2, 2018

We packed the tent and decided to have McDonalds for breakfast. It wasn’t very good my eggs were cooked in an oily buttery concoction, Ralf enjoyed his breakfast. We followed the route back into Town and spotted two posties on electric trikes delivering the mail.

We went back through the downtown and out of the walled gate

A tough day of riding for me, the first 40 kilometres were hills ranging from a steady 5% to an 18%. Ralf was like a man possessed, he loved the hills and passed several other cyclists who were not as loaded as he is, my mountain goat is back.

I, of course, struggled up the hills. Most of the hills were paved, but occasionally they were through forest paths and were dirt or gravel, which made it more difficult. I wasn’t the only one getting off the bike to push. We saw several other touring cyclists today.  A couple on road bikes wearing backpacks and a small bag attached to the back of their bikes were struggling.  The fella kept looking for alternative routes on his garmin.

After 40 kms the route was finally through farm fields and along wooded tracks.

We saw the Donau three times today! Once when we were leaving Donauworth, again somewhere in the middle of the day and finally arriving in Ingoldstadt.

We arrived in Ingoldstadt about 3:00, we asked a lady for directions. She told us not to cross the Donau, stay on this side. I am glad we didn\’t have to use this bridge!

\”Ride slowly as it is very pretty\”.

Once we were on the right road we found the campsite very easily, there were signs almost all the way from the Donau route. After setting up the tent Ralf headed straight out to the Aldi for groceries tonight. I showered and started to write the blog.

This campsite is nothing to write home about, a patch of grass, the bugs are free. The showers are push button but hot and clean. As is often the case the bikers get the worst site. However the camper vans are also crammed in like sardines.

The campsite is called the Azur and has “Wine barrels” to sleep in and camping tents on stilts. The “wine barrels” are E59.00 per night with electricity and heat. Our camp site was E28.00.

One of the things we have noticed about the biker sites in Germany is that everyone keeps to themselves. When we were camping in N.Z., Australia, U.K. and the U.S. everyone chatted to each other – where are you going, how many ks do you do a day etc. Even though we are all touring cyclists, cycling the Danube, no-one chats.

We were the first to arrive today, and as the biker site started to fill up I would say a cheery Guten Tag. I would get a response then every one went about their business.

Ralf returned from his shopping trip with a recumbent tandem in tow. The English couple had taken the long route to the Aldi, and asked Ralf if there was a short route back. He guided them back, a quick wave to me and then they hid themselves away in their camper van. They are doing day trips.

It is very strange to me that touring cyclists don’t share “notes” on the route ahead etc.

The weather was really good today apart from that bloody wind. Yesterday one of the guys told us if the weather is good the wind comes from the north or east, if the weather is bad it comes from the south or west. Do I wish for bad weather so we can have tail winds or good weather and fight the wind. I think I will fight the wind.

Windmills. Ralf spotted two windmills today, one doesn’t count as I was so far behind him climbing the hill, it was obvious he would see it before me. The second one was definitely one for him. Running Total is Ralf 14 Jacky 6