EV6 day 19

After a night in a lay-by an early start is easy! So we are up and away just after 0700. It is going to be a beautiful day but first thing it is cool and misty by the river.

I am leap frogging river cruise boats today. I can see now why it’s attractive – especially compared to being on a bike. Today is glorious and I even take time out to have a coffee with some of the hundreds of other cyclist – mostly local- out on the cycle paths today- so civilised.

No one in sight- I think it could have been the smell of my cycle shoes!

the most amazing thing about this morning was the river crossing. It looks odd on the map and is part of the EV6 route but not open to vehicles. I wonder if it is a ferry but there seem to be too many bikes for that. As I get closer I realise it is a real work of engineering. It is a hydro electric dam with a lock for river traffic. The scale is stunning. Vehicles are not allowed over but they have kindly let cyclists use it. The power of the water is awesome and the project amazing.

It was a long first section but I did 48 kms and broke the back of the days target.
I then went on up towards Spitz. That part of the river is stunning. It narrows down to a gorge and there are vineyards on the edges. Where the river narrows there are lots of gorgeous villages that the cycle path routes you through and some amazing fortifications.

On the trail I meet an Englishman. He is cycling from Montenegro back to the Uk. He tells me he has done the EV6 before so was also caught out by the unseasonable weather. We exchange stories. I tell him how I got lucky and managed to randomly find a mountain clothing outlet in a backwater in Hungary and buy waterproof gloves and warm clothing. He tells me all he could could find was a Chinese warehouse where he bought some plastic shoes and plastic macs. He is now looking for a campsite and wants to buy a heavier sleeping bag!

The end. 16 kms into tomorrows leg👍.