Day Twenty-Five

June 26, 2025

06/06/25 - Day Twenty-Five

Didn’t set an alarm, so woke when I woke at 7:15ish. I heard some activity outside, so I lay for a bit and mustered the strength to start the day. Flo had packed his tent and was packing his bags. I went inside to relieve myself, and said my good mornings to Dorothee and Dieter. On returning to the kitchen, dorothee offered me coffee and a seat! Then some bread and jam followed - class. I felt like an adopted son, if only for last evening and this morning, but it was nice and my heart was warmed by the generosity of strangers once more. We enjoyed some good conversation for a short while before they both had to unfortunately leave for work. Flo and I shared in some small talk as we went about our packing away business. He then left to complete his tour to Hamburg, I wished him well and he was off.

It wasn’t 5 minutes before he came back asking after a multitool. I joked with him: “ahhh so the ultralight man, wants my help because he doesn’t have the tools for the job” - A reference to him mocking how heavy my setup was! Safe to say I took much delight in this jibe, but my wording could have done with some work perhaps. Anyway, he was off again, for good this time! The sun had finally decided to show itself after a rainy and cloudy 5 days, so I finished off drying all my kit and packed up.

En route through Ingoldstadt, I picked up a top tube pack - to charge on the go and as a snack stash - and hit a bakery of course. I also leveled up my loadout by buying myself a shit shirt from tkmaxx! Life is an rpg, and the character customisation is the best part. Setting off in earnest at the crack of noon, the days riding was somewhat boring and uneventful. Despite this, I took a long lunch break to check out Kloster Weltenburg, on Dieter’s recommendation. Dorothee was keen to add it was the oldest monastery brewery in… they had no idea where: Europe? The world? Bavaria? Maybe it’s like those places that claim the best *insert food of choice* in town! Nonetheless, it was cool and worth the short detour, especially the crazy impressive church of St George. Exquisitely ornately decorated like no other church of its size I’ve ever seen. Respecting the signs, I have no pictures but look it up in the knowledge that it’s tenfold better in person!

Where I sat on the Donau to eat was epic too, 300ft limestone cliffs scattered along the banks as far as the eye could see. A sign had pictures saying no climbing - tough times - I assume due to conservation. Through the afternoons riding, I battled my left hip playing up, while tackling some gravelly hills. I cheered my self up with a riverside beer - seductively cheap at €3.60 for 500ml on draught. I continued for 10 minutes before I turned left and saw some dark, dark clouds. Cursing my luck, with cloud dappled sun all day and sunburn to boot, I braced for an intense shower. The dark band of clouds eased to relatively clear skies. I crunched hard on the pedals hoping I’d find a haven before it poured. No luck. I stopped to quickly put on my rain jacket, and powered on. One minute later I saw a restaurant with outdoor seating, promptly parked my steed, and ordered and helles. I am in Bavaria!