becnal

One of my goals is to bike the whole Danube (Donau). Anyone know of any online journals by folks who have done the whole river?

becnal

Esterbauer, the book publisher that makes the Bikeline series of bike maps, has 3 maps which cover the Danube in Germany, Austria and Hungary respectively (from source to Budapest).

I've just read that as of April next year, the will have Danube 4, which will cover from Budapest until the end of the river at the Black Sea. So, I guess the whole trail will be mapped out anyway.

Hate being the first and only poster to my own thread. =)

Juha

That sucks, doesn't it?

Have you checked the crazyguyonabike -site? You may not find the entire length of Donau in one journal, but I would imagine lots of it is covered there.

https://www.crazyguyonabike.com

--J

BananaMan

I rode along the Danube from Passau (Germany) to Bratislava (Slovakia) a couple of months ago. Once the rain cleared it was a seriously nice route - the bikepath is smooth tarmac almost all the way and rarely goes near the road. The signs are really good too.

It does get pretty busy on sunny weekends though which is nice if you're feeling sociable but tricky if you're in a rush!

becnal

Sounds fab. I wonder what the condition of the trail is like once you get further east, say, past Budapest.

Camel

I split away from the river about 40Km south of Budapest in '04, then made up my own overland route to the Black Sea. The short bit I cycled south of Budapest along the river was a nice combination of paved cycle path, dirt path as well as road. According to my map of Hungary (gleened free from a Tourist Information kiosk in BP), further south the trail apears to continue as such (dirt path/roads/some paved trail bits) untill the Hungarian border town of Mohacs.

Further on I would assume paved cycle ways (or well groomed crushed stone etc) along the river to be less than frequent, more likely dirt paths, but mostly road riding.

BorisBob

Ho ho ho ... if really want to do it, for the last part of Danube river, you have to ask just me : )))
Bob

Ken Brown

OK, Bob. How was the last part?

BorisBob

Soon I will Ken, but not here ... I am a little ashamed because of my broken English ... I will send you a longer message at your E-mail …. If I remember well, at the profile it should have had an E-mail?

becnal

Language skills are not a requirement for this list. I'm sure your English is better than our BUlgarian!

So, how is it in Bulgaria?

BorisBob

Oh, yes .... , OK, maybe tomorrow I will have a time, I will take the map and write about possibilities for bicycling in Bulgaria along Danube river .... I am sure you have seen my Home page - in it you can orientate for food, wines, beer, lodgings, prices, .... I will give here only some additional information. It will be easier for me, if you inform me a little for the kind of tour you like - camp or lodgings and hotels, daily mileage and so on ...
Bob

BorisBob

Bechnal !
A little information now.

It is for the part of your tour along Danube river in Bulgaria (BG), if you choose to bicycle along the right side of the river. You may enter in BG from Serbia – NEGOTIN – BREGOVO, or from Romania – KALAFAT – VIDIN – there is a ferry there. You can leave BG at Rouse town – there is a bridge over the river. This distance is approx 300 kilometers. I am not sure for the road after Rouse town to the mouth of the river in Romania.

The road along Danube is nice for bicycling – it is not main road, - a road between small towns and villages, there will be not any traffic on it. You have to be careful for the part of road – village Krivina – village Batin (50 km west from Rouse) - no road there, but I believe it is possible off-road link in the fields of wheat, sunflowers and corn.

Never mind the road is close to the river, you will not see it often – there is a levee at lower places and a strip of trees (wood) between the road and river. Take with you a cream against mosquitoes, especially if you practice camping.

You will have not problems with natives – for them always will be interesting to see touring bicyclist, foreigner over more – it is not usual here. They will behave friendly and ready to help you, if you have some troubles. Most of young people know English, older – they do not know it. Do not be afraid to camp – it is possible in BG, already 30 years I practice it - together with my children, alone, or other touring bicyclists.

You will have not problems with food – available in each small village, everywhere coffee places, if you love beer – it is perfect, according to people loving it.
Money – if you have Master card, in the central square of each little town you can find a “Bankomat”? – money giving machine - you may take money from it as much as you need.

Scenery places – near Vidin town, Kozlodyi town, Svistov town and especially the “River Str.” in Rouse town. Hotels – available in Vidin town, Lom town, Kozlodyi town, Svistov town, Rouse town.

Bechnal, if other thinks interesting, please ask me! And forgive my broken English!
Happiness to you and successful tour !!!!!!!!!!!!
Bob

becnal

Excellent post BorisBob, thanks for the information.

Do you live in the north of the country? What town do you live in?

BorisBob

The town I am living in the moment is Pernik – 30 kilometers south-west from Sofia …. A real winter is here today ….
And I can add – after Rouse town you may go further to east and leave BG at Silistra town – 100 kilometers more. And the most important – I promise you only a tail wind in BG ....
Bob

Ken Brown

Roads with little traffic, friendly people, and beer. What more could a touring cyclist ask for?

BorisBob

The most important item: for the west living standard, prices in BG are very very low. The next summer maybe will be the last inexpensive summer in BG. If we join to EU, situation will change.

becnal

Well, that's decided then. Then July I'll ride the whole Donau, from source to sea.

BorisBob

Wanderful!!! We may meet each other in BG .... in the end of February I will know my schedule for next summer.
Bob