Day 16: Windorf in Germany to Mittelkirchen in Austria via Passaul and Linz

A heavy storm beat down all night but like good rain should, by dawn it had stopped and the roads dried out quickly.  Mark crossed the border from Germany into Austria at Passau, a city with a historic heart and one where the River Inn (as in Innsbruck) flows into the Danube.  This is also a city where the Viking River Cruise boats stop and disgorge their passengers.  Not that there was any indication that a border exists.  No German or Austrian flags, no border crossing.  Even the road signs did not change.  Something to do with history you suppose?

Meanwhile, Bob has cycled a marathon 119 miles today and joined the Danube at Linz.  He has arrived in Grein this evening - approximately 20 Kms ahead of Mark and the boys have agreed to meet for lunch tomorrow.

One of the saddest aspects of this trip has been the increasing lack of response between fellow cyclists.  In the UK the mutual hostility between road bikers ('speed snakes') and mountain/hybrid bikers is well known.  But in Germany and now Austria all cyclists appear to ignore each other.  Rarely do you receive a response to "Hello" or "Guten Morgan/Tag".  They stare at you and just occasionally a nod will be given.  Yet even fellow touring cyclists weighed down with panniers ignore each other when they pass.

On a far happier note, after the extortionate price of beer in Belgium and especially France (£8 for a large beer!) once in Germany a largish beer (400ml) came down to under 3 Euros and in Austria the going rate appears to be 3.2 Euros for a half litre.  That's well under £3 - better than most pubs back home!