The Danube Explorer 2026
Contents
This is my second 2026 Bike Adventures trip, the first being Bordeaux to Geneva trip where there were some uncomfortably hot days and relatively big climbs. The Danube Explorer trip between Donauschingen (the claimed source of the Danube river) and Budapest offers fewer hills but greater daily distances. I wait to see if the weather is amenable.
There are currently a lot of place-holders in this document which are there for ease of updating and will be replaced or updated as the trip progresses.
Preparations
The bike being used is a Boardman ADV 8.9 Carbon which is very good value when on sale for £1,400 (which is why I bought it). I knew that the Shimano GRX400 drivetrain will work with a 11-42 cassette which I immediately fitted as my legs would appreciate a lower bottom gear. The overall weight is around 1kg less than the steel bike I used in 2025. I fitted the bike with a Selle Anatomica NSH1 saddle. This is a thicker leather version of the saddle I used in 2025 on the Pisa - Sicily trip and deformed significantly (but not uncomfortably). I found the NSH1 on ebay. It had been imported by someone who found it uncomfortable but expected the saddle would be OK once it had accumulated enough miles. The bike remained with Bike Adventures for the short period between completing the Bordeaux - Geneva trip and this Danube trip.
I booked easyJet from Gatwick to Zurich. Relative to my previous two easyJet flights, this one was almost on time being about 15 minutes late.
Day 1: Donauschingen to Sigmaringen
Day 1 (28th July) Summary
Distance 57 miles: Total Ascent = 650m (2,100ft)*
Elapsed time = 6 hrs 20 mins: Moving time = 4 hrs 55 mins
Average moving speed = 11.6 mph
Thee group comprised 17 cyclists plus two leaders, Dominic and Steve. The latter was a previous owner of Bike Adventures who had developed the route which is largely based on EV6.The hills look big but the vertical scale on the profile is 0 to 100m.
Very erratic intenet at hotel.
Day 2: Sigmaringen to Ulm
Day 2 (29th July) Summary
Distance 64.6 miles: Total Ascent = 560m (1,830ft)*
Elapsed time = 6 hrs 56 mins: Moving time = 5 hrs 24 mins
Average moving speed = 12.0 mph
*Ascent according to my Garmin Edge 1040. My Edge 530 usually records about 15% less climbing which is more consistent with RWGPS. I assume that the newer hardware is more accurate.
Breakfast from 7am enabled departure soon after 8am. Longer than day 1 with some hills in the central part of the ride. The first part of the first bigger climb was somewhat steeper than anticipated. It was definitely steeper than 15% and possibly nearer 20%.
The destination the Ulm Ibis City hotel which was actually an Ibis Budget hotel with a very compact room but does have air conditioning, unlike the older hotels.
We went for a walk around the old part of Ulm before finding dinner. We saw the cathedral and were by the river when there were some thundery rumbles and some raindrops soon followed. The target restaurant was in sight when the rain got heavier and our walk turned into a run. Soon after we got inside the heavens properly opened for a few minutes. By the time we finished eating the skies were clear and the ground was dry. We ate pizzas with a side salad. Not mentioned on the menu was that the pizzas were sufficient for a least two people. I initially considered taking the uneaten half for next day's lunch but there was the prospect that it might start rotting in the heat, so that plan was abandoned.
Day 3: Ulm to Donauworth
Day 3 (30th July) Summary
Distance 59.2 miles: Total Ascent = 390m (1,200ft)*
Elapsed time = 6 hrs 25 mins : Moving time = 4 hrs 48 mins
Average moving speed = 12.4 mph
*Ascent according to my Garmin Edge 1040. My Edge 530 usually records about 15% less climbing which is more consistent with RWGPS. I assume that the newer hardware is more accurate.
Breakfast was available from 6:30am and most of the group were there and aiming for an early start due to the forecast heat. Overall, it was a relatively fast day, probably helped by a light SW breeze. Following the route out of Ulm was a navigational challenge and a helpful local cyclist pointed us in the right direction. The problem area was where we also got confused when entering Ulm. I think the route was too contorted for the Garmin to keep up. Ride with GPS reported the surface to be 80% paved, 20% unpaved. However, there seemed to be a lot more than 20% gravel with a wide range of quality. Some had a lot of loose chippings while another section had some modest potholes.
The one significant hill showing on the profile had moderate gradients and I had identified a bakery in a town just after this hill as a place to get a sandwich for subsequent consumption.
Day 4: Donauworth to Weltenburg
Day 4 (31st July) Summary
Distance 68.1 miles: Total Ascent = 520m (1,700ft)*
Elapsed time = 7 hrs 29 mins: Moving time = 5 hrs 42 mins
Average moving speed = 12.0 mph
*Ascent according to my Garmin Edge 1040. My Edge 530 usually records about 15% less climbing which is more consistent with RWGPS. I assume that the newer hardware is more accurate.
A 6:30 breakfast enable a 7:30 start to cycling on what was expected to be a hot day with the longest distance so far. After about 8 miles I was intrigued by a big humpy structure close to an existing road bridge. Subsequent research revealed that a new steel bridge was being built which will then be moved to replace the existing bridge. The big tent provides controlled conditions for welding work.
My bike is turning white because of the dust from the gravel tracks. Perhaps those with titanium-framed bikes anticipated this problem.
Day 5: Weltenburg to Straubing
Day 5 (1st August) Summary
Distance 59.1 miles: Total Ascent = 410m (1,340ft)*
Elapsed time = 6 hrs 12 mins : Moving time = 4 hrs 57 mins
Average moving speed = 12.0 mph
*Ascent according to my Garmin Edge 1040. My Edge 530 usually records about 15% less climbing which is more consistent with RWGPS. I assume that the newer hardware is more accurate.
Breakfast (07:30) was late compared with the previous two days so cycling didn't start until 8:30. It was the best decorated breakfast room that I've encountered on any of the cycling trips. The day started pleasantly cool after some rain. Conveniently, drizzle stopped as I was about to start cycling. There should have been three options for the first part of the day. Catching a boat in order to see a scenic gorge, however, was no longer an option due to the low river level. This left the choice between a gravel track and the slightly longer road with a little more ascent. I opted for the road as it was a relatively easy climb and no risk of encountering mucky gravel.
After the hill it was the usual mix of tarmac, gravel, towns and villages with the occasion small climbs. German public clocks always seem to be very accurate. The water level along this section of the Danube is controlled by gated barrages and one had a fine fish ladder. There was a diversion off route to visit a bakery in Regensburg old city and get a sandwich for later consumption. After Regensburg there was a steel arch bridge which provided an example of what might be being built in the big tent (Day 4 3rd photo).
Day 6: Straubing to Passau
2nd August
Day 6 (2nd August) Summary
Distance 60.7 miles: Total Ascent = 370m (1,120ft)*
Elapsed time = 6 hrs 44 mins : Moving time = 5 hrs 12 mins
Average moving speed = 11.7 mph
*Ascent according to my Garmin Edge 1040. My Edge 530 usually records about 15% less climbing which is more consistent with RWGPS. I assume that the newer hardware is more accurate.
This proved to be a tiring day as what the weather forecast said was a light easterly breeze felt like a headwind at times. Being Sunday mean that breakfast wasn't available until 8am (more accurately, it was ready a few minutes early).
Day 7: Passau to Linz
Day 7 (3rd August) Summary
Distance 61.8 miles: Total Ascent = 330 m (1,080ft)*
Elapsed time = 6 hrs 40 mins : Moving time = 4 hrs 54 mins
Average moving speed = 12.6 mph
*Ascent according to my Garmin Edge 1040. My Edge 530 usually records about 15% less climbing which is more consistent with RWGPS. I assume that the newer hardware is more accurate.
In theory, this was going to be the hilliest day of the trip, in reality it was the least hilly of the first seven days. Why the difference? I suspect the cause is that the terrain models used to calculate the ride profile often aren't very accurate in forested areas, particularly when steeply sloping and in shade when the data is derived from satellite observations, and it is difficult to see the ground level through the trees. It was also less gravelly than forecast.
I had noticed some occasional noise from the drivetrain which felt like a slightly loose bearing on the left pedal. Investigation revealed that the left crank bolts were slightly loose (I had cranks off before the bike went to France to check and add some more grease to the bottom bracket bearings). The bolts were tightened but the problem didn't disappear. Something to investigate on the rest day.
Day 8: Rest day in Linz
This was a welcome rest day in a hotel that was fortuitously, air-conditioned with the weather forecast indicating a maximum temperature of 32C. I did some bike maintenance: Wiping off the accumulated dust, putting a little dry lube on the chain, checking for loose bolts, putting some thread locker on the saddle tension bolt as it was tending to work loose and investigating the drivetrain issue. The crank bolts were still slightly loose. Didn't I tighten them enough or did the work loose - something to be monitored. The pedals were tightened with a bigger spanner. The pedals themselves felt fine (I had been considering buying replacements). I couldn't recreate the problem when cycling around the hotel car park so perhaps it is fixed. Fingers crossed.
Day 9: Linz to Melk
Day 9 (5th August) Summary
Distance 67.7 miles: Total Ascent = 240m (800ft)*
Elapsed time = 6 hrs 42 min: Moving time = 5 hrs 6 mins
Average moving speed = 13.3 mph
*Ascent according to my Garmin Edge 1040. My Edge 530 usually records about 15% less climbing which is more consistent with RWGPS. I assume that the newer hardware is more accurate.
A 6:30 breakfast enabled departure at 7:30 on what was forecast to be a hot day and the temperature was already 25C when setting out. Progress was helped by a gentle westerly breeze and the absence of any significant hills. An average moving speed of 13.3 mph meant that 6 more miles than day 7 only needed 12 minutes more pedalling!
My Garmin Tempe temperature sensor under the stem peaked at 37.9°C (which I think is a new record) towards the end of the ride while the Garmin Edge 1040, exposed to the sun, reported 43°C. After reaching the hotel room the sweat ran off my forehead into my eyes, which hurt, so a hasty visit to the washbasin was needed.
Day 10: Melk to Vienna
Day 10 (6th August) Summary
Distance 72.3 miles: Total Ascent = 350m (1,140ft)*
Elapsed time = 6 hrs 48 mins : Moving time = 5 hrs 34 mins
Average moving speed = 13.0 mph
*Ascent according to my Garmin Edge 1040. My Edge 530 usually records about 15% less climbing which is more consistent with RWGPS. I assume that the newer hardware is more accurate.
There had been thunder, lightning and rain between 5am and 7am which lowered the temperature but raised the humidity. Breakfast (one of the better ones) was available from 7am.
Day 11: Vienna to Bratislava
Day 11 (7th August) Summary
Distance 42.2 miles: Total Ascent = 175m (575ft)*
Elapsed time = 4 hrs 37 mins : Moving time = 3 hrs 11 mins
Average moving speed = 13.3 mph
*Ascent according to my Garmin Edge 1040. My Edge 530 usually records about 15% less climbing which is more consistent with RWGPS. I assume that the newer hardware is more accurate.
Today felt like another rest day! 42 miles of mainly flat cycling with a generally helpful breeze.
Day 12: Bratislava to Gyor
Day 12 (8th August) Summary
Distance 49.2 miles: Total Ascent = 170m (550ft)*
Elapsed time = 5 hrs 18 mins : Moving time = 3 hrs 52 mins
Average moving speed = 12.7 mph
*Ascent according to my Garmin Edge 1040. My Edge 530 usually records about 15% less climbing which is more consistent with RWGPS. I assume that the newer hardware is more accurate.
Breakfast was available from 6.30am but we were in no hurry with only 49 miles of almost flat cycling and an advertised 3pm check-in time in Gyor.
Day 13: Gyor to Esztergom
Day 13 (9th August) Summary
Distance 58.0 miles: Total Ascent =285 m (940ft)*
Elapsed time = 6 hrs 31 mins : Moving time = 4 hrs 44 mins
Average moving speed = 12.3 mph
*Ascent according to my Garmin Edge 1040. My Edge 530 usually records about 15% less climbing which is more consistent with RWGPS. I assume that the newer hardware is more accurate.
Breakfast was available from 6.30am but we reckoned that 7am was sufficiently early after which there was a quick visit to the nearby Spar supermarket to buy sandwiches and apples as refreshment options might be limited along the route and made more uncertain by it being Sunday.
Day 14: Esztergom to Budapest
Day 14 (10th August) Summary
Distance 55.4 miles: Total Ascent = 390m (1,280ft)*
Elapsed time = 6 hrs 14 mins : Moving time = 4 hrs 51 mins
Average moving speed = 11.4 mph
*Ascent according to my Garmin Edge 1040. My Edge 530 usually records about 15% less climbing which is more consistent with RWGPS. I assume that the newer hardware is more accurate.
The final day! Breakfast wasn't available until 8am which wasn't ideal on what was forecast to be a hot day with the bike to be boxed after completing the cycling. To alleviate the need to spend time en route searching for food, a 7am walk to the local bakery was undertaken.
The Journey Home and Concluding Remarks
I have booked the 11:40 BA flight from Budapest to Heathrow with buses and trains for the final part of the journey home.
Copyright John Ratsey 2026.