With the Euro stronger than the US dollar, its drawback is the cost. But you can always cut the cost by doing picnic lunches and dinners and maybe cutting down on the lagers during dinner.

Every trip has its way of teaching you a life lesson. First is the importance of at least learning the basics of a foreign language. Attempting to speak a new language makes a trip more meaningful and colorful. The worst scenario is they won't understand you. Maybe then they'll try to speak to you in English.

Another lesson is to adjust to whatever situation arises. Even though we were rained out the last two days, we had 5 unforgettable cycling days. It's not worth risking safety just for the sake of saying you finished the ride to the end. It's never about the destination but the things you see and the locals you meet along the way. Getting rained out is part of the journey. Just like life, cycling has its funny ways of throwing a curve. At least we were able to sneak in a few hours of riding in bicycle friendly Vienna.

Upon returning from the trip, the Sunday paper travel page had an article about a cycling bike way that starts from Vienna to Prague. Called the Prague Vienna greenway, it is similar to the Danube bikeway. With most of the route in Czechoslovakia as you head to Prague, it is supposedly less expensive than the Austria route. This maybe worth looking at as a cheaper alternative to the Danube bikeway. More information at http://www.pragueviennagreenways.org/.

How much did this adventure cost us ? Roughly $1500 per person for 10 days. Half for airfare and another $750 for food, lodging, museum entrances, souvenirs, etc. Compared to commercially organized tours, you save big by planning and organizing it yourself.

So we hope that our travelogue inspires and helps you plan a Danube bikeway adventure. If we can do it, surely you can too.

See you on the road !

J. Gaerlan