These pictures describe a 4 week trip we made by bicycle and train through the Netherlands, Germany, Austria and Slovakia. 684 miles of bicycling and three train rides took us from Amsterdam to Heidelberg, Salzburg, and Bratislava.
Date(s): July 21 - August 18, 2004. Album by ohbike.org. Photos by J Hudnall. 1 - 124 of 124 Total. 23956 Visits.
enlarge 50KB, 576x432 1 We arrived at Schiphol Airport with panniers, but no bicycles. KLM promised that our bikes would be delivered to us when they arrived, and they did the next day.Edit
enlarge 41KB, 576x432 2 Our plans included a few days with our daughter Julie in Amsterdam.Edit
enlarge 69KB, 576x432 3 We did Amsterdam tourist things - a canal boat tour, outdoor cafes, and the Anne Frank House Museum.Edit
enlarge 60KB, 576x432 4 And of course, we tipped a few Heinekens, and visited the Heineken Museum.Edit
enlarge 78KB, 576x432 5 Amsterdam is a beautiful place to walk or bike.Edit
enlarge 73KB, 576x432 6 Amsterdam has 727,00 residents, and over 400,000 bicycles, ...Edit
enlarge 62KB, 576x432 7 ... miles of bike lanes,Edit
enlarge 66KB, 576x432 8 ...and interesting cyles, such as this trike.Edit
enlarge 83KB, 576x432 10 On Monday, July 26, we cycled out of Amsterdam, stopping to admire the stainless steel bike racks that are found throughout the city.Edit
enlarge 81KB, 576x432 11 Roads and paths are well marked for bicycles in the Netherlands. We followed bike signs to Ede, where we planned to stay.Edit
enlarge 81KB, 576x432 12 We couldn't find a place, but the VVV (tourist office) gave us directions to a B&B in Wageningen.Edit
enlarge 91KB, 576x432 13 After 64 miles of cycling, we arrived at the Villaria B&B in Wageningen.Edit
enlarge 88KB, 576x432 14 The next morning, we biked up a hill from the hotel where Germans surrendered to Canadian forces at the end of WW II. Pictures from 1944 were in the hotel lobby.Edit
enlarge 76KB, 576x432 15 Leaving town, we visited the botanical gardens and had a panoramic view of the Rhine River.Edit
enlarge 83KB, 576x432 16 From here we could see the ferry we would take across the Rhine.Edit
enlarge 60KB, 576x432 17 We crossed the Rhine by ferry,...Edit
enlarge 49KB, 576x432 18 ...like many other cyclists.Edit
enlarge 45KB, 576x432 19 We followed the Rhine on roads with little traffic,...Edit
enlarge 57KB, 576x432 20 ...and a path to the Waal River.Edit
enlarge 76KB, 576x432 21 After lunch at a cafe on the Rhine, we were ready to cross the Rhine again and follow the dike to Emmerich, Germany.Edit
enlarge 53KB, 576x432 22 After 39 miles, we arrived in Emmerich, checked e-mail at the library, strolled the Rhine promenade, and almost got locked inside a church. After dinner and a night at the Montenegro Hotel, we took the train to Koblenz.Edit
enlarge 51KB, 576x432 23 From Koblenz we cycled on a bike path along the Rhine to Overwesel 28 miles.Edit
enlarge 57KB, 576x432 24 We returned to the Gasthaus Schmelzeisen where we had stayed two years ago. Rudolph and Hildegard welcomed us back. Jane looks down at the Rhine from a gazebo high above Overwesel.Edit
enlarge 99KB, 576x432 25 A bike path follows the Rhine south of Overwesel toward Mainz.Edit
enlarge 86KB, 576x432 26 Blackberries growing along the path were irresistable.Edit
enlarge 67KB, 576x432 27 Jim takes a break at a park on the Rhine.Edit
enlarge 51KB, 576x432 28 We stopped here for lunch.Edit
enlarge 48KB, 576x432 29 We arrived in Nierstein after 46 miles. The Weingut Friedrichshof has a Gästezimmer where we spent the night.Edit
enlarge 66KB, 576x432 30 The cyclists in the picture also stayed there and invited us to join them on our way south. They had cycled to Mainz and were on their way home to Mannheim.Edit
enlarge 69KB, 576x432 31 With other cyclists we took a ferry across Rhein to follow the route on the east bank.Edit
enlarge 59KB, 576x432 32 Other cyclists on the ferry were fascinated with Jane's rear view mirror.Edit
enlarge 38KB, 576x432 33 A cyclist follows a path on dike along the Rhine.Edit
enlarge 61KB, 576x432 34 We try a new bike path that is under construction but rideable.Edit
enlarge 65KB, 576x432 35 The cathedral of Worms with a statue that welcomes visitors.Edit
enlarge 54KB, 576x432 36 Jim with statue of bishop in Worms.Edit
enlarge 85KB, 576x432 37 Statue of Martin Luther in Worms commemorates the Reformation.Edit
enlarge 43KB, 576x432 38 An interesting cable-stayed bridge connects Ludwighafen to Mannheim.Edit
enlarge 45KB, 576x432 39 Bike path leads across bridge. We did 61 miles today.Edit
enlarge 54KB, 576x432 40 In European cities, hotels are found near train stations. That's how we found the City Hotel in Mannheim.Edit
enlarge 68KB, 576x432 41 Mannheim was a pretty city with beautiful parksEdit
enlarge 101KB, 576x432 43 From Mannheim we followed a bike path along the Neckar River to Heidelberg.Edit
enlarge 50KB, 576x432 44 We cycled 21 miles from Mannheim to Heidelberg.Edit
enlarge 62KB, 576x432 45 The Neckar River has bike paths on both sides.Edit
enlarge 90KB, 576x432 46 We found a room at the Hotel Neckar and set out to explore the city, have dinner, and attend an organ concert.Edit
enlarge 37KB, 576x432 47 Jim in window at the Hotel Neckar. A triathalon was being held just across the river. From here we took the train to Salzburg.Edit
enlarge 61KB, 576x432 48 We arrived in Salzberg about 4 p.m. and found Bridgett Lenglochner's bed and breakfast just before the rain started. Rick Steves recommended her.Edit
enlarge 80KB, 576x432 49 The next morning we hiked up the Monchburg hill that over looks Salzburg. We have great views of the town and a pedestrian bridge.Edit
enlarge 79KB, 576x432 50 More views from the Monchburg.Edit
enlarge 82KB, 576x432 51 A birds eye view of Salzburg from the fortress above the town.Edit
enlarge 48KB, 576x432 52 Jim admired the view of Salzburg.Edit
enlarge 34KB, 576x432 53 The fortress on MonchburgEdit
enlarge 85KB, 576x432 56 Lunch at Weisses Kreuz Restaurtant in Salzburg.Edit
enlarge 63KB, 576x432 57 After two days in Salzburg, we headed east through the Salzkammergut.Edit
enlarge 67KB, 576x432 58 We followed the Mozart Radweg to Eugendorf, Thalgau, and St. Gilgen.Edit
enlarge 43KB, 576x432 59 The Salzkammergut is where "The Sound of Music" was filmed.Edit
enlarge 56KB, 576x432 60 Austria is a beautiful country.Edit
enlarge 82KB, 576x432 61 This hill was steeper than it looks here.Edit
enlarge 60KB, 576x432 62 We take a break from cycling by taking a ferry across St. Wolfgang lake.Edit
enlarge 62KB, 576x432 63 The town of St. Wolfgang is filled with quaint shops and flowers.Edit
enlarge 54KB, 576x432 64 We spent the night in Bad Ischl at Gasthaus Sandwirt after 42 miles.Edit
enlarge 89KB, 576x432 65 Leaving Bad Ischl, we cycled toward the Ebensee.Edit
enlarge 77KB, 576x432 66 We stayed in the valley and avoided the higher mountains.Edit
enlarge 69KB, 576x432 67 Even roads in the valley can be steep.Edit
enlarge 28KB, 576x432 68 We had lunch on the Traunsee.Edit
enlarge 60KB, 576x432 69 Leaving Gumuden we climbed a steep hill.Edit
enlarge 69KB, 576x432 70 Jane cycles up from Gumuden.Edit
enlarge 48KB, 576x432 71 The cue sheet from our friend Bruce said "take a left at the mirror."Edit
enlarge 69KB, 576x432 72 Stopped in Kremsmunster after 52 miles at the Schlair Hotel with dinner at Huthmayr Gasthaus.Edit
enlarge 70KB, 576x432 73 On this day we got lost a few times as we cycled through small towns and farmland.Edit
enlarge 54KB, 576x432 74 The path led past fields of wheat.Edit
enlarge 67KB, 576x432 75 The bridge bike path led to Steyr.Edit
enlarge 60KB, 576x432 76 The bike/pedestrian path was below the automobile travel lanes, protecting the cyclist from noise and fumes.Edit
enlarge 53KB, 576x432 77 Bicycle path on bridge.Edit
enlarge 39KB, 576x432 78 The Tourist Information office in Steyr gave us excellent maps and we decided to follow the R7 bike route along the Enns River to the Danube.Edit
enlarge 64KB, 576x432 79 A ferry took us to across the Danube to Mauthausen.Edit
enlarge 65KB, 576x432 80 We stopped in Mauthausen after 44 miles and stayed at Weindlhof - a gasthaus high on a hill overlooking the Danube.Edit
enlarge 65KB, 576x432 81 We had a delicious meal here.Edit
enlarge 55KB, 576x432 82 Getting ready to leave Weindlhof.Edit
enlarge 54KB, 576x432 83 Cycling along the Danube path toward Vienna.Edit
enlarge 55KB, 576x432 84 The path was rough in places.Edit
enlarge 68KB, 576x432 85 The Danube trail was once a tow path used to pull boats up the river.Edit
enlarge 75KB, 576x432 86 Corn growing along the DanubeEdit
enlarge 80KB, 576x432 87 The Danube cycle path.Edit
enlarge 49KB, 576x432 88 Biked on north shore and then crossed bridge to south bank at Griem for a shadier path.Edit
enlarge 73KB, 576x432 89 Linden was a lunch stop.Edit
enlarge 65KB, 576x432 90 Crossed again to Personsberg on this pedestrian/bicycle bridge.Edit
enlarge 30KB, 576x432 91 On bridge high above the DanubeEdit
enlarge 46KB, 576x432 92 Cycling across bridge.Edit
enlarge 41KB, 576x432 93 Tour boats cruise the Danube.Edit
enlarge 54KB, 576x432 94 The Melk Abbey is worth a visit. We stayed in Melk at Willibald Lecher's B&B after 54 miles of cycling.Edit
enlarge 68KB, 576x432 95 The Melk Abbey was founded in 1089 and rebuilt in 1704 so the site goes back many centuries.Edit
enlarge 61KB, 576x432 96 The abbey is on a hill overlooking the town.Edit
enlarge 88KB, 576x432 97 After touring the baroque rooms, library, and church we visited the gardens.Edit
enlarge 74KB, 576x432 98 The Wachau is one of the most beautiful regions along the Danube.Edit
enlarge 63KB, 576x432 99 We contiune to follow the Danube from wine town to wine town.Edit
enlarge 67KB, 576x432 100 Vinyards grow on the steep slopes.Edit
enlarge 50KB, 576x432 102 The villages are full of interesting houses and flowers.Edit
enlarge 54KB, 576x432 103 Towns have narrow streets and cobblestones.Edit
enlarge 68KB, 576x432 104 We stopped in Krems at Pension Hietzgern after 25 miles. We had dinner at this Weinstub.Edit
enlarge 67KB, 576x432 105 We continue toward Klosterneuburg, stopping for lunch in Talln to listen to a five piece string orchestra playing waltzes in an amphitheater. We stayed at Pension Strohamer. 45 milesEdit
enlarge 39KB, 576x432 106 This is one of the many bridges in Vienna. Cyclist and pedestrians use lanes below the automobile traffic.Edit
enlarge 73KB, 576x432 107 We continued through Vienna and on toward Slovakia. This dyke path was paved with gravel.Edit
enlarge 64KB, 576x432 108 The path led to Hainburg where we spent the night in a B&B over a pizzeria. 50 milesEdit
enlarge 60KB, 576x432 109 It was an easy ride to Bratislava where we caught a train to Jaboloncia. Then we biked 9 miles to the town of Brazova pod Bradlum.Edit
enlarge 37KB, 576x432 110 Viera welcomed us to Brazova pod Bradlum. Viera had been an intern at our church in Fort Washington several yesra ago.Edit
enlarge 47KB, 576x432 111 Viera is now the pastor of the Lutheran church where her father had been pastor.Edit
enlarge 88KB, 576x432 112 We leave Brazova for Bratislava. It was a 64 mile day through the Slovakian countryside. We stayed at the Hotel Kyhev.Edit
enlarge 71KB, 576x432 113 A tour guides shows us around Bratislava. Our Hotel was a high rise in the old town but with cranky elevators. We ended up walking down six flights of stairs to have breakfast.Edit
enlarge 41KB, 576x432 114 Leaving Bratislava, another bridge has bike lanes hung below the automobile traffic.Edit
enlarge 46KB, 576x432 115 The Danube Bike Trail from Bratislava runs next to the D2 motorway.Edit
enlarge 33KB, 576x432 116 A soldier guards the bike path at the border between Austria and Slovakia. This will be an open border when Slovakia joins the EU.Edit
enlarge 88KB, 576x432 117 The path to Vienna passes a field of sunflowers.Edit
enlarge 62KB, 576x432 118 This is Frau Puty's B&B in Hainburg.Edit
enlarge 74KB, 576x432 119 We took the train from Hainburg into Vienna. Jim is admiring the rental bikes that are available along the ring road in Vienna.Edit
enlarge 76KB, 576x432 120 Our children met us in Vienna and we spent the next four days seeing the sights.Edit
enlarge 68KB, 576x432 121 Our daughter, Julie, lives in Amsterdam.Edit
Thank you for sharing your trip with us. We really enjoyed the commentary and pictures. Have you done other trips in Europe? - Chris, Sat, 31 Dec 2005 9:53AM
I am glad to hear you had such as good trip and I was wondering if there are any safe places to camp along the Rhine and Danube Rivers.Are there any places to obtain bicycle path maps. Thanks William D Sydney Australia - William Daskalopoulos, Sun, 1 May 2005 3:20AM
I am planning a similar bicycle trip this year from holland to austria. - William Daskalopoulos, Sat, 30 Apr 2005 4:21PM
