Post #8

A Beautiful Start: 09/09/25

We woke to clear skies on a crisp, refreshing morning at Gasthof Kaiserhof. Our campground stay was far too brief, but the open road beckoned, and it was time to pedal onward.

The first five miles of our ride were pure magic! The Danube sparkled, dotted with white swans the size of small dinghies, preening, frolicking, and basking in the morning sun. There were so many that the river looked like it had been sprinkled with feathers. Trees hugged the shoreline, and vibrant, multicolored flowers added pops of color all around. The sounds of nature—chirping birds, rustling leaves, and the gentle flow of the river—filled our senses, making every pedal stroke a joy.

Our first stop was, you guessed it, for a steaming cup of coffee—because what’s an adventure without caffeine? At the café, we struck up a lively conversation with four interesting gentlemen from the Isle of Guernsey. They regaled us with tales of island life, and we could’ve chatted all morning if our bikes weren’t calling.

With a few more stops for snacks (gotta keep the energy up!), we crossed the border into Germany and rolled into the stunning city of Passau. The first glimpse of the city was breathtaking—the colorful buildings stood out against the greenish hue of the Danube, creating a picture-perfect contrast.

Navigating Passau’s bustling streets was a bit like threading a needle while riding a unicycle, but we made it to our campsite safe and sound. We’d hoped to explore more of the city, but with rain in the forecast, we decided not to tempt fate. Luckily, an Italian restaurant right next to the campground saved the day. We enjoyed a delicious meal with Craig and Susie, savoring every bite as the clouds rolled in. 

By the time we polished off our plates, the rain had settled in for the evening. So, we lingered at the table, playing cards and laughing until it was time to crawl into our (slightly damp) sleeping bags. Speaking of damp, our tent has decided it’s ready for retirement, springing leaks in all the wrong places. Oh well, a little water never hurt anyone, right? It’s just the price you pay for epic adventures.

Rode 38 miles

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah

Twists and Turns: 09/10/25

After a soggy night of rain, we savored some warm coffee and hearty German bread for breakfast—because nothing says "good morning" like carbs and caffeine. The forecast promised more showers starting at 2:00 PM, so we set off from Passau, pedaling under gloomy clouds, hoping for a break in the weather.

Barely 15 miles in, a glorious sign for a bakery popped was posted next to the route. Visions of pastries danced in our heads, and we veered off course faster than you can say "croissant." Inside, a dazzling display of cakes, breads, and pastries practically begged us to overindulge. We ordered enough treats to feed a small village and paired them with frothy lattes—because moderation is overrated when your burning thousands of calories.

Post-bakery binge, we hopped back on the route, which turned out to be a rollercoaster of twists, turns, ups, and downs. Staying on track was like trying to herd cats—tricky and full of surprises. Eventually, we stumbled upon a grocery store and grabbed supplies for dinner stocking up for the night.

Of course, the weather forecast was about as reliable as a paper umbrella. As we left the store, rain started pelting down a full hour early. With four soggy miles to our campsite, we pedaled on, setting up our tent under the drizzle. Luckily, a big ol’ tree offered some cover making it easier to unpack.

After quick showers, we parked ourselves on a veranda, waiting out the rain. When the clouds finally parted, we seized the moment to whip up some burritos and clink a few Raddlers (lemon beers) together, toasting to drier times. Here’s hoping for a rain-free night, but as always, the weather has a wicked sense of humor!

Rode 38 miles

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah

A Somber Day: 09/11/25

Rarely in life do you experience evil that causes your brain to misfire because you cannot fully grasp it. Last night was one of those moments. We had snuggled into our sleeping bags on a very wet night and we got a text from one of our children that Charlie Kirk had been assassinated. Oh my gosh...what have they done? 

We both woke up on this day with the feeling of wanting to go home. It is hard to get motivated while such horrific news is swirling about but we pulled ourselves together the best we could. Today we had to cover 50+ miles to get to our next campsite in Regensberg, Germany. We basically put our heads down and pedaled. It was cold and wet most of the day but we did manage to find a great bakery along the way.

Our first site of Regensberg greeted us with a massive cathedral but we rolled on to our campground to check-in and dry out. We decided not to set up our tent but rather rent one of the A-frame tents so we could dry out all our gear and do laundry. 

Staying across from us were a couple of guys from Australia who were also cycling the Danube. We shared a great meal together at a nearby restaurant and got to hear their life stories. Getting into a nice warm bed after a long cold day was a splendid way to end it.

Rode 53 miles

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah

Timing is Everything: 09/12/25

I’ve always believed things will work out, usually for the better, and today was no exception—despite a few hiccups that tried to derail our adventure. We left our cozy A-frame nest, bellies full of oatmeal that, let’s be honest, resembled warm glue, and ventured into a world of overcast skies and drizzle. No matter—adventure was calling, and we were ready to answer!

The rain was on-again, off-again. The trail directions, NO BUENO! Poorly marked detours and closures popped up like uninvited guests, making navigation a bit of a circus. Still, with some stubborn determination, we always found our way back to the path.

Things took a turn while climbing a hill. I shifted to a lower gear, only to hear the dreaded snap of my derailleur cable. A mechanical failure is never on anyone’s wish list, but we were lucky enough to be stuck with our bottom eight gears—plenty to limp to the top of the hill. And there, like a gift stood a perfectly placed bus stop.

This little shelter was our salvation, a dry haven to assess the damage. In just 30 minutes, we’d stripped the bike of its panniers and accessories, and I replaced the shifter cable. But then, the cable shifter itself was acting up. Diagnosing the issue in a cramped, dark bus stop while soaked and shivering wasn’t ideal. Thank goodness for cell phones! A quick search revealed a bike shop just three miles away—open for another hour, no less.

We reloaded the bike and pedaled off, moving at a pace that could generously be called “leisurely.” When we reached the shop, we tried rolling through the front door, bike and all, only for a guy to wave us around to the back. His first question? “Where are you from?” Slightly puzzled, we answered, “America.” Cue the guy bursting into laughter, high-fiving his coworkers. Turns out, they’d placed bets on our origins, and he’d won the jackpot.

Sarah, ever the detective, asked, “Was it our hats that gave us away?” He grinned and pointed to our helmets. “Nope, it’s those rearview mirrors you’ve got.” Apparently, our commitment to safety screamed “tourist” to him. No matter—our derailleur issue was just a quick adjustment, and the shop sent us on our way, free of charge. 

With spirits lifted, we rolled into our campsite, a charming country farm near the village of Diefort. We checked in with Wim and Lydia, and it looks like we’ll hook up tomorrow for more adventures. All in all, what could’ve been a soggy disaster turned into a day of triumphs—proof that a little rain and a snapped cable can’t stop the fun.

Rode 43 miles today

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah

Meeting Our Friends: 09/13/25

We packed up a very wet tent after a heavy night of dew but managed to hit the road. Though it was cold, we both wore our rain jackets, which provided ample warmth. The sun peeked out, casting fantastic light on the incredible scenery around us as we rode our bike through the countryside.

Naturally, we rode to the first bakery we could find and warmed up with good coffee and pastries. With all the bread we’ve been eating, you’d think we’d make the Pillsbury Doughboy look thin!

The rest of the ride went smoothly. When we arrived at our campground, Wim and Lydia greeted us with big smiles and hugs—a moment we’d eagerly anticipated. In his usual playful way, Wim presented me with a bag of Doritos because he’d seen one of my previous posts. I loved it.

Craig and Susie arrived a bit later and finally met Wim and Lydia. Over the next few hours, we caught up and planned the next day. We had pizza delivered, which satisfied our hunger, but as darkness fell and the cold set in, we all headed to bed. Rain is forecast for the entire night into the morning—ugh!

Rode 40 miles

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah

A Wimdy Day: 09/14/25

Yes, you read that right—today was our first ride with our friends from the North, and boy, was it a blustery adventure! We met Wim and Lydia two years ago at a nice French campground in Ambois. 

We connected over an evening of stories and maybe a few laughs. They kindly invited us to come stay with them if we ever pedaled through their town in the Netherlands. A month later they probably never expected it but we took them up on their offer. That began a new friendship and we have stayed in touch.

Today, we hopped on our bikes for our first group ride with Wim and Lydia, but the day decided to throw in some extra challenges: strong headwinds and a sprinkle of rain for good measure. So, we weren’t just riding with Wim—we were battling the wind all day, which stretched our ride a little bit longer.

Last night, it poured like the sky was auditioning for a biblical flood. The rain was still dancing on our tent when we woke up. Like brave (or slightly unhinged) soldiers, we dragged ourselves out of bed. Honestly, I was daydreaming about a cozy hotel with fluffy pillows and a warm bed. We lingered in the covered shelter, munching breakfast and chatting, hoping the rain would subside. When it finally eased up, we packed as fast as possible and hit the road around 10:30—okay, maybe closer to 11:00.

Bavaria is drop-dead gorgeous, with scenery so stunning it is hard to take it all in. It was Sunday and Germany shuts down tighter than a drum, which is both delightful and a tad inconvenient when your grocery stash is running low. Luckily, our stomachs have a sixth sense for sniffing out open bakeries. Within the first hour, we screeched to a halt for coffee and pastries.

The day rolled on at a leisurely pace, with Wim leading the charge, dishing out laughs and lively conversation as we soaked in the sights. Our next pit stop was a firehouse, where we dodged another rain shower under the porch, warmed up some coffee, and shared a snack. The headwinds were relentless, like cycling into a cold hairdryer, but we powered through and reached our campsite late in the day, reuniting with Craig and Susie.

With a few hours of precious sunlight left, we managed to dry out our soggy tent before setting it up. We finished the night at the campground restaurant, indulging in dinner, tiramisu, and a lively game of Farkle. All in all, it was a fantastic day, and with the chilly air settling in, we’re ready for a good nights sleep.

Rode 37 miles

Keep on rolling,

Scott and Sarah