INTRODUCTION:

 For the past 10 years my wife and I have spent 5 weeks every summer cycling in Austria and Germany . Here are some of our rides and experiences.

 We normally plan to cycle two or three trips away from our bases with a duration of 6 to 10 days and a distance of 300km to 400km per trip. As you can see we are not out to beat records, but to enjoy the rides and have plenty of time to enjoy the countryside, the sights, the beer, food and wine! Also an opportunity to see the countries as no other holiday will allow. The rides are never difficult and are all 75% plus on asphalt track or road, with the balance being stoney track. None of the track is mountain bike territory but a hybrid bike is preferable. The cyclist is very well catered for with cycle tracks and often underpasses so roads don.t have to be crossed. All the rides we do are clearly sign posted and bike books with maps and other useful information are available: Bikeline www.esterbauer.com . (Purchase from www.amazon.de ). Obviously in German, but the maps are easily understood and the map legends are translated.

Planning your distance and rest days is a personal thing, so take or leave our inputs.

Accommodation is excellent and normally plentiful with a full range of pricing. We, in general, stay in bed and breakfast (privat zimmer, pensions) at prices from £30 - £40 for a double room with breakfast. Accommodation is ALWAYS well decorated, well furnished, spotlessly clean, en suite, plus an excellent breakfast. Yes, that is for two of you! The beds at 2 metres wide and the biking ensure a sound sleep. More expensive and cheaper accommodation is available. All the places are .very. biker friendly and turning up soaked, filthy, and bikes the same, never raises an eyebrow. There is usually a hose available to wash self and bike down! On most of our cycle rides we do not book accommodation in advance, so making our daily cycling flexible. We have never had any problem finding a suitable place to stay. Just look for signs saying .Zimmer Frei. outside suitable establishments - normally the first place we try is available! In the individual rides we will indicate if we recommend a prior booking. We do book in advance, prior to the holiday, the places where we want to leave the car while we cycle off into the sunset! We want to ensure we have a good home for the car! I can only remember in 10 years 2 places where there was a charge for the car and then it was under £3 per day.  We have provided some web sites of places we have stayed and enjoyed, but there are plenty more out there on the web and many more just to find as you ride along.

Eating and drinking is a major pastime and there is always great and very reasonably priced food. There are many Italian restaurants which are as good as Italy itself! Incidentally, the German & Austrian food has greatly improved over the 10 years we have been visiting . very well presented and some of it .gourmet class. for a very reasonable price.

You will very soon feel comfortable. The people are very friendly and make us very welcome in spite of our limited German. Especially in southern Germany and Austria they believe in enjoying themselves and you will .happen upon. numerous beer gardens and wine fests as you travel around. Communication is never an issue as they love showing off their English! They do not have a hang-up in making errors when speaking English. When there is .no English. a laugh and a beer is usually the answer! We have never felt uncomfortable in any way in all the time we have spent there!

Credit and debit cards are not used to the same extent as in the UK . During the cycle trips, the majority of the time, you will have to pay cash, but plenty of .holes in the wall. exist.