Day 4: Tue 31 May - Vienna

We did a shake-out ride around the city and surrounds.  Apart from all the magnificent old and new buildings, parks and gardens I ended up at the main cemetery.  

The Austrians know how to look after their dead, with huge grave monuments depicting their loved ones' lives.  Some very famous people are buried there especially from the classical music era like Mozart, Brahms, Beethoven, Strauss, Wagner to name a few; what history this place has got.  The whole cemetery was immaculately maintained.

Day 3: Mon 30 May - Vienna

After getting an early night I slept nicely till 0300 and after listening to my relaxation stuff slept till 0455.  As it was light and bright outside I got up and after my exercise routine I went for a ride. Felt very cold but the weather website said it was 16deg; must be getting soft. 

The breakfast at the motel was one of the best I've ever had anywhere in the world. Pity we weren't cycling today as it would sustain us all day, and some. The motel is even better value as not only do you get B&B, but a free public transport pass AND a €10 shopping voucher for A$150 for three nights, twin share. And with the A$ at €0.70 it's even better!

Having prepaid our Schönbrunn Palace tickets we didn't have to line up with 100s of others but went straight thru. What an amazing place, no wonder the Austrians gave their Royalty the flick, must have been sending the country broke. Such waste and opulence, but also very beautiful. The gardens were just so "perfect".     

Caught the underground to the city and had a wander for a few hours. Vienna has trams, buses and trains so a very easy city to get around. Of course one of the best bike path system anywhere in the world which makes for a near perfect city; in my opinion anyway.  

One person on tour went to put the bike back together after breaking it down for the flight only to discover that a bundle of parts and tools had been left at home. Thinks they were in a roll to be put in the box with the bike but somehow forget to put it in. So he spent some time buying the parts and putting it all together. Not the ideal start for a tour, a pain really, and a very good lesson for us all, very easy to do.

Parliament House

Schönbrunn Palace

Day 2: Sun 29 May - Dubai to Vienna

Boeing 777 from Dubai to Vienna, (5 hrs which is better than 14!!) smaller and I think much nicer aircraft. On board entertainment was excellent with many, many choices, in everything, hard to decide what to watch / listen. I watched Mao's Last Dancer, which was an excellent movie; sad in places. Then I listened to some Bob Dylan which I hadn't done in years. Music and movie choices were endless.

One thing about Emirates is that they have been on time or early the whole trip so far; touch wood for the home trip in July. All the bikes arrived safely and on time too so Emirates get my tick of approval. 

Trip took 29 hrs from door to door, so despite getting some sleep it can't help but knock you around a bit. 

Free Wi-Fi at the motel so hopefully I can send this off soon. 

The pre booked bus from the airport was a great idea and saved a heck of a lot of time and effort. The Mercure Motel is right in the city centre and very clean and neat.   

We are just having a bowl of pasta for dinner which is a ten minute walk up the road.  I'd say we won't be too long out of bed as the jet lag will kick in soon.

Vapiano Restaurant - Italian

There is a herb garden inside the restaurant. They have herb plants on each table and you can just pluck whatever herbs you want for your meal. This is their 'stock' and they grow under special lights. The restaurant is a bit different in as much as you go up and order from the chef and he cooks the meal in front of you on a "wok" sort of setup.  Of course all the sauces are made up ready.  It was so good and inexpensive that we went there two nights running.

Day 1: Sat 28 May - Sydney to Dubai

A long flight but the 14 hrs seemed to go fairly quickly. My first flight on an Airbus A380 (largest passenger aircraft in the world) was good. Despite the fact that it was choc-a-block full the service was excellent. Took ages to load the 500 < > passengers. I was up the front of cattle class. The seats seemed a bit hard at first but one got used to them. 

Four hour stopover in Dubai was passed with coffee, chats with the other five in the team and plenty of wandering and window shopping. Duty free seemed cheap but it's all "stuff", that I had no room for on the bike.  They are building yet another airport there even though the existing one is huge!! 

Eastern Europe Cycling Tour Vienna to Istanbul 28 May - 18 July 2011

Introduction

With Fred & Heather Allsopp, Bob & Kerry Kent, and Kev Hennessey

Fred, Kev, Greg, Kerry, Bob, Heather

This is my setup.  Two small pannier bags, clothes one side, toiletries etc the other.  I have my wet weather kit in a roll with a spare tyre on top of the rack. On the handlebars there is a small bag in which I carry snacks and lunch.  One water bottle behind the seat.  The bike is a folding Airnimal made in the UK.

Air Itinerary

Pre-planned itinerary by Bob Kent

Completed Itinerary

Note from Greg:  This blog is from a photobook Wendy created for me in 2011. The writing that follows was compiled by Wendy from diary notes that I sent to her and others just about every day of the tour.  I would write them on my iPhone and then when Wi-Fi became available I would email them off, along with the odd photo.  Unbeknown to me Wendy was keeping my notes and converting them into this book.  Wendy has put a great deal of work into producing this and it has taken her lots of patience and effort. I really appreciate what she has done and I hope you do too.   Enjoy.