Monday, September 14--Burghausen, Germany

The sound of the wheels of a car on wet pavement is a distinctive sound. It is a sound that cyclists are particularly attuned to, and particularly in the morning. From the comfort of a warm bed one can hear that sound and immediately understand what lies ahead—cold, wet and probable misery.

Such was the sound that Brian and I awoke to this morning. And such was the majority of the day. Yesterday we had enjoyed near perfect weather, but today made up for it. While not a drenching downpour, most of the day there was a drizzle that clouded the glasses and dampened the spirit. And the path we were on, the Innradweg, did not ameliorate the discomfort. The path was well marked and well situated, following the Inn River fairly closely and with excellent views, but the surface was regularly a gritty sand. Such a surface probably would be good in dry weather, but in the damp of this day it simply clogged the brakes and covered the legs. And what is more, cycling in sand is somewhat akin to running in sand—it takes a constant effort that is greater than what another surface may need. And the route was upriver, not downriver as the Naab, Regen and Danube were. All of this meant that instead of being able to look around at the beauty, one’s focus has to be on the front wheel and what lies a few feet ahead. Rocks to dodge, muddy spots to evade, and ruts to avoid. But such is part of any cycle journey…

So, in the end we went 81 kilometers (50+ miles) and called it a day. Our next goal is Salzburg, was unreachable in just one day, so we divided the distance in two parts, and today’s part was what we accomplished. We traveled along the Inn and Salzach rivers, through miles of corn fields and past several small but charming towns, and have ended up in a nice hotel in a delightful small German town, Burghausen. Neither Brian nor I had heard of the place before, but evidently many people have, including many famous jazz performers whose names and presence are immortalized in the main street, a street called the street of fame. The town is just across the Salzach River from Ach en der Salzach, Austria, and its imposing castle and ancient main street is quite interesting.


So, with today’s trip we have covered nearly 750 miles in 12 days. We have cycled all or parts of the Elberadweg, Saaleradweg, Naabradweg, Regenradweg, Donauradweg, Innradweg and Salzachradweg. Rad means cycle weg means way. Each has had its own personality, its own plus and minus, its own character. And it has been good…Next comes the Alps—and the adventure of living goes on. Thanks be to God!