September 8, 2011
To Ingolstadt: A day of frustrations
The route so far has been perfectly signed and we have good maps so getting lost hasn't been an issue. Round Donauworth however the signs became a bit sketchy and although we didn't get lost we had to keep vigilant. The route until Neuberg is very up and down but my gears were functioning well again so I could ride it nearly all of it, there was also lots of unpaved track one long part with very loose gravel which is scary especially when there is a steep drop on either side. None of the small towns we passed through had any services so there was no coffee.
We were pleased to reach Neuburg which is extremely beautiful with its huge palace dominating the town and its impressive town gates. For us however it was extreme frustration, We found the Tourist Information easily, for once it was well signed. We needed wifi so I could download some stuff and a bike shop as Kens bike computer was running low on batteries. The charming young lady marked the bike shop and said I could get internet access at the Tourist Information. Out came my computer but oh no I could only use theirs. She marked a place on the map where she 'thought' I might get a wireless connection. Off we set up the steep cobbled streets but all to no avail. The next mission was the bike shop. The fat mechanic looked at Kens bike computer indicated he didn't think it needed a battery and at another small problem which he refused to fix. Ken smiled at him and relying on the fact he didn't have a single word in English smiled and said, ''Thank you for nothing you useless bastard'. I went off fast. We were pleased to find a Backerie and got enormous coffees and a lovely cake but the coffee was really bitter.
We weren't sorry to leave this beautiful town and although the route had changed completely it was easy to follow and very flat, it started to rain then tne next minute Ken had a puncture. Unlike our previous experience with the tyre blow outs this was quick and simple and who should come along but the two lovely Swiss.
Ingolstadt when we reached it has the most charming city gate yet and is said brew the best beer in the world but I am yet to find out if this is true. On the way to the Information we spotted McDonalds. Hurrah my internet problems were solved! It was around 2 but we couldn't go to our hotel till 4 . Ken growled a bit but we decided to go to McDs and use their wifi. We ordered up large partly because I didn't know what I was ordering and partly because I would be spending time on the computer. I logged in only to find I had to pay 5Euros for an hour's access. This was just one thing to much so we ate our food, used their toilets and left for the bike shop. With trepidation we showed the mechanics our bike computers and in a trice the batteries were changed, they worked perfectly and Ken said pleasant things. The hotel when we found it is really great AND has free wifi with a very strong signal in our room
Today's ride: 68 km (42 miles)
Total: 1,911 km (1,187 miles)
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