Holiday 2017 has been a remarkable experience. We have used some outstanding cycle paths in beautiful nature. As usual, the quality of the cycle environments differs a lot. For the first part in Austria, we used a string of cycle paths up to Vienna, later the Danube cycle paths (Eurovelo 6) down to Mohacs and finally on some minor roads over Lake Balaton back to Austria. The only setback was that I have had to skip the last four cycling days. I was infected by some virus and got sick. Therefore the trip ended in Tapolca.
2017-08-21; Good cycling, I advise to stay on the west side of the river. I've made the error to moved from Peggau to Graz on the east side of the river, which was not best. Generally well-built cycle track.
2017-08-22; First along the Mur path, nice and quiet, later the Thermen cycle path following, fine cycling in marvellous nature. Perfect day. Good planning is necessary it is getting very hilly.
2017-08-23; Mostly along Laffnitz cycle path which is excellent! Later the R12 (Eurovelo5) following. In my opinion is the Eurovelo less good. The last part on the old road uphill is challenging.
2017-08-24; First a bit up then on the beautiful cycle path to Wr Neustadt and riding near the canal to Vienna. A five-star tour, surprisingly, lot of quiet cycle lanes near Vienna.
017-08-25; Through Vienna, reaching the "Donauinsel" and following the Danube down to Haimburg. Cycling of the best, flat, no traffic and a lot of nature to enjoy. Further to Bratislava is good cycling on roads and cycle paths.
2017-08-26; On cycle track, free of traffic along the lake, perfect cycling. Easy to navigate, just a bit of bad luck that some section of the cycle track is built with a very rough gravel surface.
2017-08-27; First still on the Slovakian site, following the Danube on good to excellent tracks. Crossing border in Szob, a mix of lanes and streets to the destination for the day.
2017-08-28; A short tour through the outskirts and industrial zone of Budapest following the cycle lanes, reaching the heart of Budapest. Advice: use GPS data to follow the cycle lanes, otherwise the way is hard to find.
2017-08-29; Unexciting riding out of Budapest, passing industrial zones on a good cycle path. Later along the embankment of the Danube. The only downside the surface of the cycleway differs from tarmac to gravel and grass.
2017-08-30; This is a long and pleasant tour through the countryside along the river Danube. We travelled on a mix of quiet lanes, cycle paths and minor road. Excellent riding.
2017-09-01; On minor roads and lanes to Pecs and over the hill to the destination. Good cycling mainly on roads with less traffic. In my preparation for this section, I have missed out two local cycle paths.
2017-09-03; Fine riding along the Lake, however, I already feel that I'm getting sick. We take the short cut over the Lake to shorten the journey. I have just made it to Tapolca.
Riding along Friesacher-; Mur-; Thermen- and Lafnitzer Radweg was most of the time pleasant with a gentle up and down riding. From Lebring on, following the Eurovelo 5, it is starting to get hilly. The last section up to Monchskirchen, on the old main street, is exceptionally steep. From Monchskirchen to Vienna very good conditions, reaching the Danube, flat and excellent riding on mostly traffic-free cycling paths. Keep in mind that the quality of the paths varies, from superb tarmac to a time-consuming ride on a gravel surface.
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Part two: Hungary – Danube – Lake Balaton – Tapolca
Following the Danube on Eurovelo 6 good to excellent cycling. Traffic-free sections and sections with minor traffic, as well the surface of the roads, vary throughout. Unpaved roads are very good to ride, as long as it is dry weather, however, during rain they are very muddy. From Mohacs to Tapolca I planned an individual route based on minor streets that worked out from good to average. The reason is that roads of 3rd and 4th category are impossible to judge whether there is (heavy) traffic or not. Overall good cycling throughout the country with some excellent cycle paths.
