Following the Danube

Before I embarked on this cycling adventure, my knowledge and association with the Danube was limited to the famous tune the' Blue Danube Waltz ' by the Austrian composer Johann Strauss and those who grew up in the fifties, sixties and before and enjoy ballroom dancing would have enjoyed dancing to the tune time and time again. In Budapest I was truly enchanted by the Danube and leaving Budapest was something that I had to do reluctantly.

We left on a Sunday morning and as we were staying on the Pest side we had to cross over to the Buda side, in order to continue our journey to the border of Austria and Slovakia. It took us quite some time to get out of Budapest as we couldn't help but make many stops taking more photographs of the river and the surroundings although we had done that already. Many people thronged the riverside doing what they like best on a Sunday morning. Many people were out with their families cycling, young couples pushing prams, tourists clicking cameras and serious marathon runners doing their long runs. It was only around noon when we finally got on to the road leading out. Cyclists are not allowed on the highways so by cycling on the other roads we actually have to do longer distances. I have no complaints as the country roads are quieter and offer more insights into the country. A few kilometers out of Budapest we had to cycle uphill for nearly an hour before we were back on level ground.

We spent the night at a well appointed (studio?) apartment in a small town, Dorog and the next morning continued our journey. Cycling along the countryside roads are actually quite pleasant with little traffic and the little towns and villages are indeed picturesque. And guess what?, we were again by the Danube but this time without the buildings and the crowd. In fact the the road from Budapest to the border of Slovakia and Austria goes along the Danube most of the way although it is not within sight all the time. For a change I did some research and what I found about the Danube is quite amazing. The Danube is the second longest river in Europe after the Volga and it passes through nine countries. Four capital cities are sited on the Danube namely Bratislava in Slovakia, Budapest in Hungary, Vienna in Austria and Belgrade in Serbia. Other than the Blue Danube Waltz, there are many other things with the Danube name : The Blue Danube Coffee House, The Blue Danube Wine, The Blue Danube Holidays, The Blue Danube Piano,The Blue Danube Violins in Vienna, Austria where they are hand - made and many more with the Danube name. And like the Mississippi it is also famous for its steamboats. For the cyclists you can check out the Danube Bike Trail also called Danube Cycle Path or Donemradweg - bicycle trail along the river. The trail is divided into four sections :
1. Donemeschingen -Passau (559 kilometers)
2. Passau - Vienna (340 kilometers)
3. Vienna - Budapest (306)kilometers
4. Budapest -Black Sea (1,670 kilometers)

I am now writing from Komarom,  a town near the Danube, and from here ride towards the border of Slovakia or Austria. If we cross into Austria we will miss Slovakia, so your guess is right. We will first go to Slovakia and from there (Bratislava) ride to Vienna. Well, I am looking forward to seeing the Danube again in Bratislava and Vienna.







The dandelions as described by Terry






Cycling out of Budapest on a Sunday morning












Leaving Budapest






Thanks for the memories

















The Danube without the concrete






The loneliness of a long distance cyclist







She is not going anywhere














Countryside scene






Walking/cycling lane