The sun shone brightly and every German person with an e bike was on the EV 6 route, as we were!!
There were more bikes on the route than there were cars on the road running parallel.
Another day of head winds, but the batteries helped overcome them.
The church in the riverside village we stayed in but as big as a cathedral.
We observed this group ( congregation) following a cross bearer, with a priest pulling a big blue box across a field?? Maybe a May Day tradition?
Oh so German. Even the 11 goslings were precise in their formation swimming!Beer is an important part of cycling!!Lovely located aérodrome at Vilshofen an der Donau Ragged Robin in abundance
A huge lock emptying under us. Approaching Passau and many river cruise boats. Approaching the confluence of the Danube and the River Inn on the right. The grey blue Alpine water merging with the darker Danube from the left. This marks the end of Germany with Austria in the background. The red dot on this information board is where the previous photo was taken.
Just a comment on the big church in Niederaltaich. This was part of a large and very old Benedictine monastery that had its ups and downs over the centuries. It was very important in creating settlements through out the Bavarian Woods, a not so hospitable part of Bavaria – cold climate, lots of snow, and poor soils, but plenty of wood to build housing. This monastery was at times in history just subject to the Emperor and was independent otherwise of any worldly power. They founded approximately 120 settlements throughout Eastern Bavaria from this little village. The procession you witnessed may have been a small part of a larger procession for Ascension Day with people from outlying areas coming together at the main church for the occasion. The actual Ascension Day is this coming Thursday which is a holiday in Bavaria and most likely in Austria as well. The Niederaltaich Abbey has since 1924 at the orders of the Pope been charged with teaching both the Roman rites and the Byzantine rites (Greek or Russian Orthodox or other Orthodox) in order to one day reunify the churches. As a consequence they are celebrating the holidays of both rites. Not as great as it sounds as church holidays are working days for priests. No holiday for them!
Enjoy Austria, a wonderful country, a place with great food and great beverages. In the Danube Valley you will find lots of small farms that cater to bicyclists and offer hard cider and great food for impromptu stops. When you get to the Wachau, the wine growing region upstream from Vienna and upstream of Krems, make sure you cycle in the right side of the Danube and go across the Rossatzer Scheibe, a bend in the river with lots of fertile land where they grow apricots and other tree fruit. Make sure you get some apricots dumplings for lunch or dinner, even as a main course. They are fantastic! The apricot schnaps is also great, as are all the other spirits. There are small ferry boats all over the place that will take you and your bikes across the river. Before you hit the Wachau you will come past Melk, a lovely monastery, great views and great food.
As you approach Vienna may I suggest that you stop overnight in Tulln before you get to Vienna. It is such a lovely place.
Euro Vélo Route 6 
Just a comment on the big church in Niederaltaich. This was part of a large and very old Benedictine monastery that had its ups and downs over the centuries. It was very important in creating settlements through out the Bavarian Woods, a not so hospitable part of Bavaria – cold climate, lots of snow, and poor soils, but plenty of wood to build housing. This monastery was at times in history just subject to the Emperor and was independent otherwise of any worldly power. They founded approximately 120 settlements throughout Eastern Bavaria from this little village. The procession you witnessed may have been a small part of a larger procession for Ascension Day with people from outlying areas coming together at the main church for the occasion. The actual Ascension Day is this coming Thursday which is a holiday in Bavaria and most likely in Austria as well. The Niederaltaich Abbey has since 1924 at the orders of the Pope been charged with teaching both the Roman rites and the Byzantine rites (Greek or Russian Orthodox or other Orthodox) in order to one day reunify the churches. As a consequence they are celebrating the holidays of both rites. Not as great as it sounds as church holidays are working days for priests. No holiday for them!
Enjoy Austria, a wonderful country, a place with great food and great beverages. In the Danube Valley you will find lots of small farms that cater to bicyclists and offer hard cider and great food for impromptu stops. When you get to the Wachau, the wine growing region upstream from Vienna and upstream of Krems, make sure you cycle in the right side of the Danube and go across the Rossatzer Scheibe, a bend in the river with lots of fertile land where they grow apricots and other tree fruit. Make sure you get some apricots dumplings for lunch or dinner, even as a main course. They are fantastic! The apricot schnaps is also great, as are all the other spirits. There are small ferry boats all over the place that will take you and your bikes across the river. Before you hit the Wachau you will come past Melk, a lovely monastery, great views and great food.
As you approach Vienna may I suggest that you stop overnight in Tulln before you get to Vienna. It is such a lovely place.
Have a fun trip!
Manfred
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