Perfect weather.
After stopping outside the setting of the original Frankenstein novel, we made our way out of Ingolstadt easily. The first half of the day's route on a good gravel road atop the flood control dike alongside the Danube, then stopped at a riverside cafe for an early lunch of coffee and a large piece of cake. Apiece. We were well loaded with energy from sugar and caffeine when we got back on the bike, which turned out to be needed. We soon ran into a detour from the regular Danube Cycleway. There were no further bike route signs, so we were on our own. I used Google to get a route to our next waypoint, Waldenburg. The road was the worst we have ever had to ride: a narrow track of loose gravel the size of golf balls. We were able to proceed only at a walking pace, in our lowest gear. Not fun at all. It seemed to go on forever, but we finally emerged onto a paved track and decended the last few km to Waldenburg Abbey, which has been brewing beer since 1050. The river gorge there is too narrow for any riverside road or track, so we rode a ferry on the river for the last 5 km to Kelheim, or stop for the day.
Our hardest and worst day of the trip so far, but it will probably be the one we remember and talk about. It was also a day when things went from good to bad to good in short order.
Like all towns we have visited, Kelheim has a rich history going back to the 10th century, and many of the buildings within the old city walls where we are staying are many buildings dating from 1500-1600, in contrasting pastel colors. I'll try to get a picture in the morning.
We snagged the trailer on a trailside stanchion this morning and the trailer now tracks off center. I'll try to straighten it. The trailer tires show a lot of wear already: I hope they last. Otherwise, the bike is in good shape for having been put through some rough riding.
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