Week 5: Taking the Pressure Off and Living in the Moment
Since their last update, the road has offered both challenges and small victories. The bike parts they were waiting for failed to arrive on Friday as expected, leaving the weekend in limbo. On Monday, they chased up the tracking details with Haas Health, expecting little yet to their surprise, they received a reply confirming the parts were finally out for delivery. Unfortunately, a mix-up with contact details meant the courier couldn’t find their address, despite them being home all day.
By Tuesday, they decided to take matters into their own hands. With the help of a friend they drove nearly 50km to the DPD depot to collect the missing parts. The effort paid off: the bike was repaired that same day.
The next hurdle was packing. Between food from family, gifts from friends and their own supplies, their load had doubled. They went from carrying one food bag to two, even leaving behind treats like chocolates because there simply wasn’t enough room. Still, they set off heavy but determined.
The return to the road was met with typically unpredictable conditions. Sunshine quickly gave way to heavy downpours. On their first day back they had hoped to cover 50km, even suggesting 70km, but Eva’s persistent knee pain forced an early stop at around 30km. The following day brought better progress: 45km cycled and a peaceful wild camping spot found beside a lake. They managed to pitch the tent just before the rain began, though a small puddle soon formed under where their heads rested. Dinner was cooked inside the tent as the storm continued outside.
So far this week, their distance totals 75km. It may not be a huge number, but these early days back on the bikes are about pacing themselves and building steadily.
More importantly, they’ve embraced a new outlook. Their quote of the week is:
“Taking the pressure off ourselves and living more in the moment.”
This journey was never meant to be about deadlines or strict mileage goals. It’s about the experience of travelling together, embracing the unexpected and creating something remarkable one step and one pedal stroke at a time.
Here’s to steady progress, more miles ahead, and enjoying the adventure as it unfolds.
Week 6: Border Hopping, Bavarian Hills, and Meeting Mani
This week Steve, Eva and Danny have really found their rhythm, covering just under 300km – around 290 in total. It marks a big step up in distance after the challenges of the previous weeks.
They began in the Czech Republic, camping by a lake during a downpour. A few days later, they found themselves in Austria sitting by yet another lake, once again in the middle of a rainstorm. Despite the weather, spirits were high.
Early in the week, they cycled into Bavaria. The clear mountain lakes looked perfect for swimming, though night temperatures dropped to just 5°C, making evenings cold and uncomfortable. After three tough, hilly days and 120km on the clock, they took a much-needed rest at a campsite in Valdmunken to recharge.
Not long after, they met Mani, a 77-year-old German who approached them while Danny and Steve were swimming in a river. Mani offered them a camping spot at his woodland cabin, complete with a fire pit and homemade vegetable pasta. Though the steep 20km climb to his property was exhausting, they agreed, sensing he simply wanted company.
Mani proved generous – sometimes overly so. At one point, he tried to tow them uphill with his moped, despite concerns for everyone’s safety. After some awkward back-and-forth, they managed to convince him it wasn’t a good idea. Though they felt guilty leaving the next morning, practical needs (washing, facilities, space) outweighed sentiment.
From there, they diverted onto the Danube cycle route. Mani had tipped them off about spring-fed churches where they could refill water – something they wished they’d known earlier. Following the Danube should have been smooth sailing, but ongoing construction forced constant diversions, costing time and energy. Even so, they reached Deggendorf, where Danny enjoyed what the family called “the best playground we’ve ever seen.”
The following days mixed cycling with simple pleasures: a swim in a pristine lake, tapas in a tiny town (complete with Aperol Spritz) and pushing late into the evening to reach a pricey but spa-equipped campsite.
By midweek, they finally crossed their first planned border on bikes, rolling over the river from Germany into Austria. Unlike earlier hops between Germany and the Czech Republic, this crossing felt like real progress.
The ride wasn’t easy. One day involved 750m of climbing; close to tackling a mountain back in the UK. After four back-to-back big days, they declared a rest period in Austria’s Salzburg Lake District. Here, they swam, relaxed and prepared for the next stage.
The Alps are now in sight; daunting, beautiful and intimidating all at once. Their new motto sums up the mood perfectly:
“Getting stronger – Alps, here we come.”
With Salzburg ahead, and the Alpe Adria cycle route leading them all the way to Italy, the road is calling louder than ever.
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