Mauthausen to Ybbs

Day 9 saw us heading to Ybbs an der Donau. We had planned for this to be a relatively short ride but thanks to some unexpected navigational hitches (James' mapping didn't show one of the tracks was through private land) we took the "route touristique" along some lovely back roads through farm land. Gillian and Kieran didn't mind too much as we rode along sealed roads rather than on the more gravelly paths on top of dykes. Our legs aren't as fresh as they were at the start! We added an extra 5 kms to the day's ride which James didn't love so much as his navigation and timing was all slightly off. E-bikes are starting to annoy us a bit as they zoom past us whilst we struggle up the hills under our own power.

It is hard to capture all that we are experiencing along our ride as the photos can't really do justice to the scenery. Needless to say there are moments when we ride around a corner or arrive at the top of a hill and are meet with the most glorious vistas.

We stopped in the story book village of Grien, 36 kms into our ride, for a much needed morning tea - iced coffees all round. It seems like there is always a little square with a bakery we can find refreshments at. We are getting better with ordering in German, or at least bluffing our way through.

The weather has been mostly kind to us but today was rather hot and we were all glad to reach our accommodation and enjoy a leisurely (late) lunch in the beer garden. Gillian who never goes into the sun willingly is developing some rather unique tan lines.

The town of Ybbs was established in 1317 and features lots of historical buildings. We enjoyed walking around the cobbled streets tonight looking at all the buildings before settling in for a dinner featuring some home-cooked Austrian fare. Gillian was particularly taken with the gnomes at the entrance to the Gasthof. We followed dinner with a drink at a little hole in the wall bar, located down a back alley. It would have been nice to settle in for a few more white wine spritzers but we are ever aware we have to get on our bikes again in the morning.

Tomorrow we are off to Melk to tour around the Abbey and then on to Krems.

Relive 'Danube day 9'