Dillingen to Neuburg 72km

A tough day on the bike today, brutally hot, challenging riding on gravel and 12-14% pinches with nothing really to distract from the discomfort. Much of the riding was on a gravel levee which was quite loose with absolutely no protection from the sun. 

Ulm to Dillingen 54km

What a lovely stay at Brickstone Hostel. Anja was an absolute gem making me feel so at home. This hostel has all the comforts of home and is so close to everything. This combined with my day with Susanne made my trip to Ulm so enjoyable. 

A shorter day today due to the heat. I nice flat, easy ride beside the Danube. I saw my first snake! It was quite impressive, black in colour, and a decent size at around one metre. I didn’t stick around take a photo, but my legs surely went the fastest they have pedalled all trip!  

The campground in Dillingen is basic but adequate. There are some nice Dutch cyclists here which means I can communicate! I have shade for my tent and there are cold drinks available. The heat continues to be extraordinary 

Ulm

Such a lovely day sightseeing in Ulm, being shown around by Susanne, a friend of Sandra’s from The Crossing where I stayed recently. Such a beautiful and generous person. Ulm is a beautiful city with a lot of history. The church spire was the tallest in the world until Barcelona installed a glass crucifix on the La Sagrada Familia, now making it the tallest in the world. And GF pizza, yummy! 

Riedlingen to Ulm 67km

I set off before 7am this morning as the weather is brutal at the moment. With very little food for breakfast, I contemplated catching a train at one point but pushed on. 

The Eurovelo and Danube cycle path infrastructure is amazing but there are some sections that are just not touring cycling friendly. Today’s example was a 19% climb that was almost impossible to push the bike up. I considered unloading and doing shuttle runs but managed five steps at a time on rotation to get to the top. Not my finest hour as there were words coming out of my mouth that will not be repeated! There were quite a few pinches upwards of 13%, again, not touring cycling friendly in my honest opinion. The ride itself was uneventful but quite industrial with a lot of trucks and traffic beside the path. 

I’m in a hostel in Ulm because I want to see the city. My first look has me so excited to see it. I will also meet another lady tomorrow who lives here, a friend of Sandra’s from The Crossing. I’m feeling so privileged to be able to do this! But I also need to be sensible with the heat. Six hours in the sun today has taken its toll and the hot weather is set to continue.

Hausen im Tal to Riedlingen 62km

Last night I stayed with Sandra and Mario from The Crossing B&B and they were like old friends who welcomed me even though I booked the wrong month! Sandra cooked me a beautiful dinner and breakfast this morning and sent me on my way with a snack. This little place is only five minutes off the Danube cycle path and it truly is a gem! I can’t recommend it highly enough. 

A bit longer day than expected today as the campground turned out to be a patch of grass in a horse paddock and I didn’t feel safe as there was nobody else there. I had to back track to find a room. This accommodation stuff is getting expensive! 

The ride itself was lovely, separated or shared Danube cycleway.Apart from the 11-13% pinches, most of it was rideable today. A few sketchy interactions with a truck and car, but apart from that, uneventful. 

The weather is brutally hot and cycling through the hottest part of the day is challenging both in terms of hydration and food. Storms seem to roll in and out without much warning and only very briefly. Nothing like we get at home though when we have this sort of heat. 

I’m spending two nights in Ulm, my next stop, and I have booked a hostel so that I can cook. Still more expensive than camping but it’s close to town so I can do some sightseeing. Riding all day doesn’t leave much time to see anything at the end of the day.