Cycling UK Forum

Planning a possible ride from Donaueschingen to Vienna in early September, on a tandem. I have two concerns: the surface and the (bike/foot) traffic. The tandem is a 'road' type (not really touring), 25-28 mm tyres and not too laden. We generally pootle along at 15 mph average (probably a bit faster on the flat), so - will the surface be good enough for that type of riding, and is the path 'clear' enough for that speed? (given that it's September, not summer holiday peak). My attempts to view the path by online photos, etc. don't show the surface clearly enough to judge whether it's mostly tarmac or gravel/clay, or how much it varies over that route.

My wife and I have cycled from Donaueschingen (ie the source of the Danube) down to Ulm, and we have also cycled from Passau along to Vienna. The surface was good to excellent throughout. Also not a single barrier to negotiate which could possibly be even more of a relief to Tandems. This year we will be filling in the gap, ie from Ulm to Passau. The Germans have "Landwirtschaftwegs" (apologies if my spelling is not correct). These are minor roads from which most traffic is prohibited, but local vehicles, fishermen and farmers seem to be allowed to use them. The first section of the Danube route uses many of these. On the later sections, the path is asphalt, fairly wide (often 4m) and for long stretches is on both sides of the river. Even the non-surfaced sections are excellent. Never had any problems with surfaces. Mopeds can (and do) use the cycle paths but they were no trouble and generally pootled along at little over 10mph. The best guide is the "Bikeline" book. Excellent maps with all the infomation you need. The Danube books are even in English.

It is a truly wonderful route. Possibly my favourite section is in the Grein/Krems/Durnstein wine growing area. Here you can criss-cross using cycle ferries at various places. The Danube route is very popular, but we were never troubled by the number of people (we were there at peak time too). Just a joy to be using such excellent cycling facilities along with numerous other friendly cyclists. Can't remember any tandems though. I suspect you might have to lower your sights in terms of speed though. Why rush - the scenery and villages are too interesting to hurtle through.

Many thanks indeed for the all information - and especially about the barriers, something I hadn't thought about, even though we have abandoned bike paths before because of endless gates (e.g. Elan Valley).
You are absolutely right, we won't rush, but sometimes on the tandem, if we're feeling good, just coasting along is enough to reach a fair speed. That's the dilemma if it's a busy path - the 'driver' has to watch the traffic, not the lovely scenery! However, your experience has reassured us, so we'll continue with the plans. Once again, many thanks!

burroc wrote:My wife and I have cycled from Donaueschingen (ie the source of the Danube) down to Ulm, and we have also cycled from Passau along to Vienna. The surface was good to excellent throughout. Also not a single barrier to negotiate which could possibly be even more of a relief to Tandems. This year we will be filling in the gap, ie from Ulm to Passau. The Germans have "Landwirtschaftwegs" (apologies if my spelling is not correct). These are minor roads from which most traffic is prohibited, but local vehicles, fishermen and farmers seem to be allowed to use them. The first section of the Danube route uses many of these. On the later sections, the path is asphalt, fairly wide (often 4m) and for long stretches is on both sides of the river. Even the non-surfaced sections are excellent. Never had any problems with surfaces. Mopeds can (and do) use the cycle paths but they were no trouble and generally pootled along at little over 10mph. The best guide is the "Bikeline" book. Excellent maps with all the infomation you need. The Danube books are even in English.

It is a truly wonderful route. Possibly my favourite section is in the Grein/Krems/Durnstein wine growing area. Here you can criss-cross using cycle ferries at various places. The Danube route is very popular, but we were never troubled by the number of people (we were there at peak time too). Just a joy to be using such excellent cycling facilities along with numerous other friendly cyclists. Can't remember any tandems though. I suspect you might have to lower your sights in terms of speed though. Why rush - the scenery and villages are too interesting to hurtle through.

Hello, greetings from Germany.

The source of the Danube is not in Donaueschingen. This is what the Romans believed. However, as German children learn:
Brigach und Breg
bringen die Donau zuweg.

I did this cycling tour as a young student in 1986 (Blackforest to Budapest; though we left out the Czech part, as we would have to change 38 DM/day in these days). At that time, on the way to Vienna already many sign-posted Landwirtschaftswege existed, and also an enormous cycling tourism. The scenery was impressive and should still be so. Do not leave out the monasteries and churches. I guess I would do this journey again when I am 80 years old and need a lot of infrastructure. However, as a first trip it is great. Try to meet some locals despite the tourism; maybe in Vienna.
Gute Reise!

bobgrange wrote:I have two concerns: the surface and the (bike/foot) traffic. The tandem is a 'road' type (not really touring), 25-28 mm tyres and not too laden. [...] whether it's mostly tarmac or gravel/clay, or how much it varies over that route.

No problem,
As far as I recall, there are a few limestone gravel parts between Tuttlingen and Sigmaringen. The rest is tarmac. Your tyres are a bit smaller than I wold recomment but I think it is feasible with 25mm tyres. I don't remember clay parts.

The cycle traffic is not a problem. We did the German part in early August and it was no problem. The Austrian part can be more crowded but you are riding in September....

[quote="edwin"
No problem,
As far as I recall, there are a few limestone gravel parts between Tuttlingen and Sigmaringen. The rest is tarmac. Your tyres are a bit smaller than I wold recomment but I think it is feasible with 25mm tyres. I don't remember clay parts.

The cycle traffic is not a problem. We did the German part in early August and it was no problem. The Austrian part can be more crowded but you are riding in September....[/quote]

Cycling traffic: try to spend the Sundays as rest-days. Sunday riders can be so annoying. However, I heard that the interest of German riders drifted to the Weser bike path instead - if I remember the bustle on this, maybe you are lucky ....