Cycling from Linz to Vienna

This trip, made with my father (Luciano, known as "Mario"), was fantastic.

For those like us who love travelling and riding a bike, it really is the best.

Having reached Vienna on a direct flight from Rome (bought for 99 euros return on the internet), we then reached Linz by train, in just under 2 hours, the starting point of our tour with the final destination being the Austrian capital, Vienna. During the train journey the weather promised nothing good, but luckily the rain never ruined our plans.

From the station we reached our hotel and then headed to the warehouse to pick up our rented bikes, and so straight onto the bikes, a reconnaissance ride of about 20 km, ready for the next day with destination Ardagger.

Seeing enchanting little villages where cyclists are respected, unlike in our country, is truly thrilling. Pedalling without having to worry about some idiot who might knock you down is the best thing.

The landscapes we pass through are extraordinary; there are many important places along the river Danube, such as Mauthausen (concentration camp), Melk (huge cathedral), Krems, Tulln (a town of Roman origin) and finally Vienna (capital of Austria).

Our day started at 9:00 and ended with our arrival at the hotel at around 17:30, many hours and many km, 90 / 100 a day, but time flies in these enchanting places. There were also many stops during the day, also because the views that opened up in front of us were the subject of many of our photos.

The last km towards Vienna were fantastic; we had realised we had done something great. Even before reaching the centre of Vienna we were already thinking back on the whole journey and all the places we had seen, we wanted to turn back time, but that isn't possible, and so we were already thinking about a new adventure, perhaps a longer one, perhaps in Ireland... who knows?...

One thing is certain: Austria is truly beautiful, made to measure for cyclists.

I recommend everyone to go there; we will now travel around Europe, but whenever possible we will return to these lands, perhaps to continue the route along the Danube towards Budapest.

Greetings from the sporty travellers Claudio and Luciano

AUSTRIA (12 SEPTEMBER - 16 SEPTEMBER 2007)