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The castle leaving Salzburg
We rode bike paths from Salzburg for several miles. There were several bike paths, we had to stop and study the maps at intersections to decide which path to take. At Bad Reichenhall we picked up a bike path that followed the Saalaach River. As it was a weekend day, many locals were riding and the bicycle bell came in handy. With the miles we were covering, we were normally faster than the local riders. We came upon a country restaurant with al fresco dining in the vicinity of Schneizireuth. This was adjacent to a bike path and several of the patrons had bicycled in. After a satisfying lunch and apple strudel for dessert, we departed to have the only flat of the trip. Scott found a tack in his tire. Must have been used for posters at the restaurant. Back onto the highway until the vicinity of Malleck, where we started up a steep road toward Sonntagshorn. Near the summit of the climb, I pulled up to a farmhouse to find Scott with a farmer and pretty young lady. She was wearing shorts and what appeared to be a bra or halter-top. Scott had stopped to ask for water. They gave us bottled water. We thanked them and left. For a moment, I thought we were going to have a farmer's daughter story to tell. After Winkimoos and a beautiful restaurant sitting alone in a valley, the road became dirt. Here we came across families out mountain biking. We were the only ones out with panniers. All this climbing calls for a descent. Leaving the parks dirt roads, we entered a rural paved road. The sign said 18%; I know it was a steep downhill. We felt it necessary to stop and cool the rims and brakes. Passing through Reit in Winkl, we pulled into the ski town of Kossen for the night. Todays ride started and ended in Austria while most of the riding was in Germany. After showering I crossed the street to an English Pub. The bartended was Australian. He had worked here many years. I asked if he missed Australia, he replied "Only till I go back." He didn't like the winters in Kossen, but was happy there otherwise. The Sport Hotel didn't have a room with two beds available. They gave us two separate rooms for the price of one (under $40 U.S.). The rooms were nice and had cable TV. Watched a bit of the Tour de France.
View from the bike path