A couple weeks into it, we are getting into the rhythm of the ride.  Up at dawn, clean up, pack up camp, breakfast, and hit the road.  Our bodies are getting more and more used to riding as distances and hills that once appeared daunting are being conquered more easily

.  I am getting over my soreness from being hit by a speeding bicycle (and of course, am looking both ways before entering streets, trails or whatever!)  Actually, I am incredibly grateful that no real damage was done so that I am able to continue the ride.  I find it ironic that I was hurt while virtually standing still rather than riding.  Go figure.

We have “rest days” every 3 to 6 days depending on the schedule.  They have their own rhythm.     Sleep as long a possible (hopefully past dawn), do chores (shop, laundry,

sightsee, eat, eat, eat,    and write the blog 🙂 ).

We have now ridden about 1100km (about 700 miles).  The last sections of riding have included an inordinate amount of gravel track.  It is generally well-packed but still rougher riding.  We headed away from the Danube trail to ride along the Altmuhl river, riding by many castles    perched high on the cliffs above.  This detour meant that we missed, Ingolstadt, the birthplace of our good friend Jutta (also, home of our Audi vehicles!) but we did get a good feel for the countryside of Bavaria where she grew up.

The Danube has grown much larger since we first met her in Donauschingen

.     We can now watch barges going along the river along with many other watercraft.  We are spending the day in Regensburg, said to be one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe.  It has many narrow winding streets

, beautiful shops and a remarkable number of churches.

Tomorrow we head off for 5 days of riding and will be entering Austria before our next rest day.  Out for German beer tonight and then early to bed to give our poor aging bodies their beauty rest.

Love hearing from all of you.  Thanks again for joining us.