As I head further in central Europe I keep bouncing of wet walls. That is to say, that Europe in general is experiencing a wetter and colder Spring and Summer than normal. There will be two dry sunny days followed by five wet ones and so the cycle of wet/dry weather continues. It's completely opposite to what we get typically get in southern Australia for Summer. Which means I've spent more time on trains and in hotels/hostels than I would prefer. Still, the cost is relatively low even after currency exchange so my budget can absorb it but I would rather do five days riding for every two days of hotel/hostel stays because I like being outside and I came to ride. I know it will improve and to help with planning I've found the BBC weather Internet site vey impressive for the amount and format of information it presents, especially the map and four day outlook.
View from my room
But there is an old Polish proverb "turn a lemon into a lemonade" which my first public service supervisor being Polish and a war victim as a young girl shared with me. It's a simple way of looking for opportunities or another way of looking at an unfavourable situation. My Vaude panniers (bike bags) that I brought with me and the bicycle were just not suitable for the wetter European climate so to make life easier for me I replaced all the bags with Vaude waterproof panniers that have the same mounting system so I did not have to buy different racks and now have some more attachment fitting spares. I no longer have to keep putting the rain covers back on each time a threatening shower approaches. More important, is all my gear arrives at the resting place nice and dry. These bags are excellent! Also, if I have to pack away a wet tent (sometimes it cannot be avoided) it goes inside a wet-sack that keeps water away from my other gear.
The ride to Innsbruck was a slow ascent up through the Brenner Pass and exciting descent with a weeee! factor coming down into the city. Another stunning alpine setting with numerous tall mountains to explore for summer alpine treks or skiing right on your doorstep. Also exciting for me as I cross the border into another country for the first time. It's a real sense of achievement and mmmm? who will I meet and what will I see?
I had some good advice from the youth hostel host a few days earlier that I may like the old hotel right in the city centre where Mozart once stayed. A very affordable room with breakfast and right in the city centre. The hotel staff were very accommodating for my cycle touring needs and even found cellar space to store the bike. I noted how old the cellar walls looked and though OMG - if these walls could talk.
The stairs up to my room had a rather curious slant to them so I held on the rail only because of a slight reduction in my walking comfidence factor. This was due to the Greek experience where gutters are quite high and there are no entry or exit slopes for bikes or pedestrians, therefore I really had to stay focused not to fall over.
I even found a bicycle store 5 mins up the road for some new parts. Cycling is very popular and they have the environment and infrastructure set up for it.
After a few days spoiling myself with great food and Austrian cultural events I then started on the next stage - a four/five day ride to Salzburg.
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