Today is the start of Bike Trip No. 2 from Passau to Vienna. On this day we moved to our new hotel across the bridge. Chris rode the tandem over and I took a taxi with two suitcases and the great big bike case. We are now at Dormero Hotel.

Before I talk about our day it’s time for a little geography lesson. Below is a map of Passau. See the point of land? We stayed just off the map to the right yesterday and today we are just off the map to the left.

In Passau you can see the confluence of three rivers. The black Ilz from the north is referred to as the “Black Pearl of the Bavarian Forest” due to its dark color and the appearance of the rare freshwater pearl mussel. The green Inn from the south carries almost the same amount of water as the Danube. The glacial melt water of the Alps gives the Inn its distinct green color. And the blue Danube from the West. The Danube is the second largest river in Europe (after the Wolga). It originates in the Black Forest of Germany and flows through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and the Ukraine before joining the Black Sea.

A view of the Cathedral from the other side of the river.

Two days ago we followed the Danube upstream to Passau and tomorrow we will start our second journey by following the Danube downstream all the way to Vienna.

Today is just a get to the hotel and get settled day. Our guide book recommended a short 15km flat round trip ride on the cycle path up the Inn and back on the other side of the river. Sounds easy enough – just follow the river.

Here we are doing some single track biking as we decide we’re not on the right cycle path. We just have to climb up this hill and over that guard rail and we’ll be right back on track.

Back on the cycle path we follow the train tracks – have you ever seen steel railroad ties?

We got to the turnaround point after 10km of riding and had lunch. Then crossed this cool single-tower suspension bridge just for bikes.

Here’s a view of the cycle path back along the River Inn.

We discovered a grocery store right next to our hotel so we bought some ham and cheese and apple and bread and vino and had a wonderful picnic dinner on our little balcony. Our delicious Gruner Veltliner (thank you Justin) was the perfect pairing. (We’re keeping it in the mini-fridge to keep it chilled.)

Here is a sculpture that greeted us as we crossed the cycle bridge. So romantic.