Donaueschingen – Regensburg – Passau
Actually, I wanted to continue towards west along the Silk Route in 2020 in order to continue my journey in Tashkent. But Corona has changed the way we are able to travel. At the moment, it is impossible to enter Uzbekistan, so I have changed my direction of travel, that means I am ridding eastwards.
I want to pedal the next stages all the way to Istanbul. Of course, there are many routes to get from Switzerland to Turkey. I have chosen the Danube route. On the one hand, I find it fascinating to be able to follow a river for almost 3000 km, and on top of that, like the Silk Road, this route is a trade route, too. Since time immemorial, the Danube has served as a transport route for goods and people and is still one of the most important European trade routes.
Its source is in Donaueschingen and here is as well the start of the Danube cycling route. The water flows through 10 countries until it ends into the Black Sea at the Danube delta in Tulcea. I will then head all the way south along the Black Sea coast via Bulgaria to Istanbul.
I’m starting the stage directly in Donaueschingen because I cycled the distance from my home in Biel/Bienne to the source years ago.
Another reason is because of time constraints with the uncertainty of whether there will be border closures due to the pandemic. On 26.8.2021
I will be chauffeured by my son and his girlfriend to the source. Usually there is a glass of champagne at the finish, but because there is a birthday to celebrate today, I will break with this tradition and have a glass together with them for the birthday and for the kick-off starting signal.
I’m really looking forward to the next few weeks pedaling. I could hardly wait for that moment but know it is here…. 3, 2, 1 and off you go. As I turn my head around again to wave and my family members waves at me, it’s an emotionally beautiful feeling to set off on an adventurous journey. Apart from that, I don‘ t know how and when the next reunion will be. An old wise lady once told me: „You always know how you leave home, but never know how you will return and enter it again“.
This time for my trip I choose my light racing bike. The difference in weight to the touring bike is a whopping 10 kilos. In addition, I’m travelling with „slim“ equipment without a tent, sleeping bag, etc. and thus save more kilos.
The little stream that starts out small soon gets bigger. But suddenly there is a natural spectacle to marvel at. The river seeps away and only reappears on the surface after another 12 km.
I spend the night in the youth hostel in Sigmaringen. The next few days impresses me. Pure nature on the queen of rivers with great cycle paths. Sometimes dirt roads, sometimes gravel tracks. Here I realize that a gravel bike would probably be the best option. It’s also possible to ride a racing bike, but what you make up on the road, you lose in the terrain, and although my Continental tires can take a lot of punishment, there are more punctures than one would like.
The trail is well marked and signposted at all times.
Along the route you can eat or sleep almost anywhere. Actually, you don’t have to plan much ahead at all. Just ride and enjoy. The only worry is depending the season if the potential sleeping place is already occupied.
Unfortunately, I was unable to marvel at the 6-kilometre-long journey by boat to see the spectacle of the Danube breakthrough at Weltenburg Monastery, as the water level was too low. But in Regensburg at this beautiful middle age town situated at the Danube river with its famous stony bridge and the magnificent baroque architecture I was well compensated. Soon I am in Passau surrounded by rivers.
