Location: Vienna
Km on the clock: 1,515
 
I went through Nova Bystrice, Czech Republic and had to climb one last hill before entering Austria and crossed the border in Grametten. Leaving Czech I was wondering about all the concerns regarding the language that I had before I came here. There were just little difficulties but nothing that couldn't get solved with some hand and feet communication.

Cycling in Austria started off with a long downhill stretch. So I just kept rolling for a while. This is definitely my favorite part of traveling on a bike. It's the reward for the hard work of climbing up the hill and always lets me forget about the suffering of making it up.

It was already turning dark but I kept pedaling because I didn't cover as many kilometers as I wanted over last couple of days. My plan was to be in Vienna the next day and to stay with friends for a few days. However, at some point I was just too tired and pitched my tent somewhere outside of Waidhofen an der Thaya. Knowing, that I'd have to cover 125 kilometers the next day and that it's going to be tough, I fell asleep.

Natalia and Torben welcomed me with open arms and I stayed with them for a few nights. The first day in Vienna I used to recover from the 125k ride. I didn't even know that I was capable to cycle that many kilometers in one day. But I also realized that my gear is too heavy. So I left a few things behind at the end of my stay.

Since I was already a few times in Vienna and visited many sights I decided to visit Schoenbrunn Castle. I always missed out that one. I knew that it's a big areal but I had no idea that it's that huge. It's really impressive! I guess the Austrian royals knew how to live life back in the days.

The rest of my time in Vienna I mainly used to relax, eat local food and lots of ice cream. On some days we went to the nearest ice cream place 2-3 times. :D

After a few nice and relaxing days it was time to say goodbye and I headed off direction Bratislava. Once again, thank you guys for your hospitality! I highly appreciate it!

I followed the Danube River and the EuroVelo 6 signs until I reached Slovakia.

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Location: Czech Republic
Km on the clock: 1,390

Just a few kilometers after entering Czech Republic I made my first 1.000 kilometers on this journey. It took me only two weeks of time. I know I could have been way faster but since I stayed in Hamburg, Berlin and Dresden for a few nights I was happy to be here by now. It’s was the second time ever in my life that I cycled that far. Two years earlier I cycled the length Germany on my old mountain bike. It also took me two weeks but it would have been way longer if I had stayed in the cities for a couple of days like I do now. Additionally, I had to keep moving every day to be back at work on time.

This time is very different! I basically have unlimited time which makes this trip way more enjoyable and I got another bicycle which is more made for bicycle touring. I really had no idea before that there are such big differences in sense of bikes. Reaching the 1.000 kilometers mark I thought: I wish I had that bike already two years ago. That would have done my life so much easier. But at that time I just took all the equipment that I already had and just head off. That's basically what I also did in preparation of this trip - besides the bicycle.

Just the next day I made it into Prague where I stayed for a few nights. Prague was the first place on this trip that I was really excited about to visit. I was here before and always liked it. As soon I got connected to some free Wi-Fi I booked the cheapest hostel that I could find. Getting there was quite a challenge because the address provided by the website wasn't correct. Fortunately the host picked up the phone right away when I gave her a call and sent me the directions via text message.

I met Matt from the U.S. at the hostel. He's also a long term traveler and we clicked right away. So we spent the evening's together and explored Prague's nightlife. Throughout the days I mainly did sightseeing which included lots of walking. At times I found it even more exhausting than cycling the days before. :D

Although Prague is such a touristy and crowded place, I enjoyed every moment - especially walking alongside Vltava River and discovering the markets. But the best thing about this city are probably the street artist. They're just everywhere and it's a lot of fun to watch their performances. Here I liked the buskers most.

The day I left Prague I made it almost to the city of Votice. It was a hot and partly rainy day. So I had to put on and off my rain clothes numerous times. Although I didn't get wet from the rain I got wet by my sweat anyways. Sometimes I was even wondering about the sense of putting those clothes on and off all the time.

I followed the cycling trail signs between Votice and Tabor which turned out as the hardest ride that I ever did in my life so far. All the time it was only going up and downhill. To be honest, going downhill is a lot of fun! At one point I even reached a speed of over 54 kilometer per hour. However, going uphill with a gradient of up to seven percent isn't that much fun. Especially with a fully loaded bicycle and if it feels like hours reaching the top. At times I made my way up the hills with an enormous speed of not even 7 kilometers per hour. As I reached another top of many that day I didn't even know if I should laugh or cry. I was just so happy that I made it up but at the same time I was already so exhausted and I could already see the next steep hill which made me want to cry. I rolled down the hill and tackled the next one.

That day I made only 70 kilometers - usually it's 80-100 - but I was more exhausted than any other day before. It took me one more day to leave Czech Republic and make it into Austria.

If you enjoy reading this blog then please support my fundraising campaign to equip two school class rooms in Darfur, Sudan. Cheers!