To Prutz, Austria

July 17, 2025

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We encountered our first 9:30 AM check out this morning. We have a short day - we were thinking sleep in and eat a leisurely breakfast. Jacinto went down early for a starter coffee, and asked for a late check out. It was difficult, but he got an extension to 10 AM. We had a near 10 jammer breakfast - their selection of baked goods was notable. There were hard boiled eggs, peeled and halved hard boiled eggs, and also scrambled eggs! There was 5-6 types of fruit to go with the yogurt, including blueberries that were almost grape size. I had two helpings. Neither of us bought a phone to take photos.

We were out the door before 10 AM. I said thank you nicely when I turned in our key cards. Usually I don't worry about key cards, but ever since we had the lady roll her eyes at us for leaving one in the room, I've been sure to return them.

Jacinto was still getting his computer set up. He told me to get started on the climb. I didn't see him again the entire day.

We had a 200 foot climb to the top, then there was an extended downhill on sharp switchbacks. I never let my speed get above 10-12 mph, because the switchbacks were so sharp. I felt so, so sorry for the many tourists grinding their way to the top. I would guesstimate I saw 40-50 loaded tourists today. This is a very popular route. The common set up seems to be two large rear panniers, and also a very large duffle bag across the back. Some people have four panniers. Ortliebs are definitely the paneer of choice. Today an interesting bicycle combination seemed popular. It was a woman on an E bike, loaded. The husband would be on a regular bike, without a single bag.

For some reason Komoot did not route us on the Claudia Augusta. I took the path on the first section. That was a fairly easy choice, as the road shoulder disappeared, and the dirt path started. I'm not excited about dirt. But I'm also not excited about climbing without a shoulder.

The dirt path ended and dumped me back on the big road. Which wasn't very big and didn't have much traffic. The next bicycle section appeared to me to have dirt. I was on the downhill, with a small shoulder and light traffic. I stayed where I was. The path seemed to come and go. I did miss a turn to the left, onto a smaller paved road. I kept going (downhill). I had a VW van honk at me! It was an angry honk. My first in all of Europe. Of all of the vehicles I think would be live and let live, it would be a VW van. I got off at the next chance to get on the backroad. IDK why Komoot didn't have us on the bike path the whole way.

Jacinto never did catch me. I kept thinking I'd stop at one of the many picnic bench and wait for him, but downhill is seductive. I started out cold, at 53 degrees, but warmed up quickly with the climb. Temperatures ended up being perfect. high 70's and sunshine. No wind today.

I rode through several small towns. Prutz was easy to navigate. It took me a bit of fiddling to follow our written directions to get a key. Then I couldn't get in the front door. The proprietor (?) showed up, and said to give the door a strong push. Ah. The bikes went in a storage room next door.

I was just undressed for the shower, and here came Jacinto. I put clean clothes on my stinky body, and showed him where the bike went, etc.

He had a good ride. Jacinto had detoured onto all of the bike path options and said except for the first one, they were paved! His notable sight for the day was a woman in her 40's peeing right next to the path, without even trying to hide a little. He said he could see it all . . .

We agreed to go eat. There are 3-4 restaurants near the front door of the Apartments Rose. We ended up at Dave's Cafe. They brought us an English menu! Hurray. We shared a menu del dia (19 E for soup, Shepard's macaroni, and a salad), and a burger with fries. We had drinks, and also ice cream. It was relaxing to sit under the umbrella on the plaza, and people watch. There were some water fountains that sprayed out of the ground as people walked by. Children seemed to enjoy them the most.

We learned after we went back to the room, and Jacinto was watching a video, that we should tip in Germany. I asked google if that included Austria. Yes. Eeeks. We didn't tip last night or today. Jacinto said perhaps that's why he was charge 4E each for Cokes when he went back to the restaurant last night and got sodas to go. Perhaps the man was making his tip that we didn't give him at dinner. Usually Cokes are 2 E or 2.50 E.

Jacinto went walking later to the store. We agreed to eat hard boiled eggs and apples with peanut butter for dinner. I know the common picnic meal is bread, cheese, and bread. We aren't much on bread. We didn't eat until 7 PM, and I wasn't terribly hungry. Tomorrow we have a 57 mile day. I will probably be hungry!

Check out time here is 9 AM. That is earlier than 9:30. I've never seen such an early check out. I checked the rest of our reservations. They are the normal 11 AM.

I'm quite disappointed with our apartment. I don't think it qualifies for the definition. It's almost 9 PM now and I just looked at the description of our apartment on booking.com. It says a separate bedroom with a door. We didn't get what we paid for. I think it's far too late now to complain. Plus, she did let me in at noon, and it was supposed to be a 4 PM check in. I'm going with the thought that she gave me the room that's clean. I've done a good job this trip finding us nice accommodations. This ranks among the lowest. Ah, well.

Today was a fast, easy, scenic day. There was plenty of people watching. I enjoyed it, and Jacinto seemed to like the bike path. He carefully routed us on the path tomorrow. IDK why Komoot doesn't put us on the path to start.

We had all night rain in town. There’s snow on the mountain peaks.

Jacinto’s view of the start of the dirt section.

We had a short dirt section with these drains I walked the first two and held my breath on the next 4-5. Jacinto didn’t even see them.

The dirt section was had a few cyclists the most notable was a 5ish year old boy in front of his dad. They had a cord connecting them. I think so the dad could act as a brake. Jacinto said he later saw the dad towing the son with a rope uphill n

Typical view for the day. Scenery remains stunning.

Our apartment was a big disappointment. The whole place is extremely small. The bathroom is microscopic. No washer. One was advertised.

This is the first e bike charging station we’ve seen on public.

I thought we were out of farmland, but here is a field.

Today's ride: 23 miles (37 km)
Total: 1,355 miles (2,181 km)

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