Praha-Wien – 2011
Lindsay and Tom spent eight days cycling in central Europe, following the waymarked Greenways route from Praha to Wien. Flew from Bristol to Praha, with hybrids in bike bags.
Highlights included swimming in two lakes, visiting an island chateau, cheap lager, and a bus tour of Vienna
Day 1 – Monday 1st August
Flight from Bristol to Praha; 4 km ride to Nebusice for Bed and Breakfast; evening tour of Praha centre.
Day 2 – Tuesday 2nd August
160 km ride (world record for hybrids with loaded panniers) from Praha to Tabor. Mostly small roads and battles of navigation to get out of Praha. Arrived in the dark at Tabor so Pizza supper on bench in park. Late bar next to penzion made a welcome end to a challenging day.
Day 3 – Wednesday 3rd August
Morning tour of Tabor, followed by 61 km ride to Jindrichuv Hradec. Chteau en route. Fabulous town, marvelous hotel, great restaurant.
Day 4 – Thursday 4th August
2 hours to find the elusive launderette (well, service wash) followed by 61 km ride to Slavonice. Lake swim on the way, great evening meal with Czech sister teachers.
Day 5 – Friday 5th August
Morning tour of Slavonice church tower and underground (flooded) tunnels. 67 km ride to Znojmo along fabulous forest lanes. South Moravia at its finest. Great hotel at Znojmo, evening tour of bars and outside concerts.
Day 6 – Saturday 6th August
Morning rainy tour of Znojmo followed by 72 km ride to Mikulov. Surreal moment of the week – musical accompaniment to picnic lunch at Jaroslavice. Evening tour of Mikulov, a tad too touristy, but very nice. Outdoor evening opera audible at splendid penzion.
Day 7 – Sunday 7th August
Mikulov to Wien. A day of two halves. Fabulous morning ride into a deserted Austria (bank holiday weekend), partly with Canadian tourist cyclist couple. Then a rainy journey into central Wien, a real battle of navigation. But we made it, and were rewarded with a room at a splendid boutique hotel, and noodles/kebabs on a bench for supper.
Day 8 – Monday 8th August
Bus tours
Cycle Dorset and Wiltshire 