1. Bicycles in Germany and Austria: These are the most bicycle-friendly countries we have been in, including the
USA and Canada. Throughout Austria and Germany there are
excellent, well-marked bicycle paths and routes. Bicycles are allowed
on trains and busses and many trains have dedicated cars for bicycles with
equipment to secure bicycles so they won’t fall. Germans and Austrians
are very respectful of bicycles and so even if you do have to ride on the
road they will give you lots of clearance. The route along the Danube
River is flat and paved and is a top choice for beginner and intermediate
cycle-tourists.
2. The bike route we took over the Alps, the
Fernpass, is really not rideable. You should be prepared
to push if you are carrying any saddlebags and/or don’t have a mountainbike.3. **** 4 GOLD STARS to Vienna for being the best major city to ride a bike in. You can ride most places in
Vienna, certainly to all of the areas of interest to tourists,
on dedicated bicycle paths. Autos and pedestrians respect cyclists on
the route. If you just must ride your bike in a major city, pick Vienna.
4. Favorite things: Bayern and Tirol Alps are fabulous and
beautiful and the people are friendly and generous. King Ludwig’s castles
and palaces are not to be missed. The Habsburg Treasury is well worth
a visit to see things you never will see again.5. Zimmer recommendations: When visiting Linderhof, Oberammergau and Garmisch stay with Mrs. Weber in
Graswang, Untere Dorfstasse 3, 82488 Graswang, telefon 08822
/ 4389. When visiting Neuschwanstein Castle stay with Renate and Colin
Jackson, Illasburgstrasse 21, 87642 Berghof, telefon 08368 940429. When
visiting Innsbruck or skiing near there stay with the Familie Rinnerberger
at Zillertal, telefon 0 52 44 / 62167. In between Linz and Vienna stay
with Josef and Christine Langeder, 4343 Mitterkirchen 26, email kraglhof@yahoo.de
or telefon 0 72 69 / 8313-0.