22 July 2014
Inzell to Linz, Austria (34 miles; Total = 175 miles)

The rain is starting to fall harder now and Gina is over there in a frenzied state, grabbing and shoving every item not currently packed in a waterproof bag into a Ziploc or beneath a shower cap. I’m trying to ignore her and concentrate on the task in front of me – changing my flat tire – but it’s getting harder with the mosquitos buzzing in my face and wait, now Gina’s back with my rain booties and she’s right, I better get these on before the water rises any higher.

Yes, my flat tire streak continues despite riding on pristine bicycle paths and a new rear tire since returning home from the Southern Tier. I suppose what’s different about this one is I’m actually changing it myself. Thank goodness for folding tires with easy beads. But enough of this boring bicycle talk. Let’s talk more about the weather, which is quickly going from bad to worse. About the time my rear tire was going from full to flat, I could see across this here Danube. Now that we’re rolling down the path again, I can barely tell the difference between the river and the pathway and I’m thinking this would be an important distinction to be able to make. Gina points out a dinghy beached along the path and wonders aloud if we’re going to need it.

This explains our lack of photos from the day. There are the Before The Downpour photos and the lone After The Downpour photo, taken three predominantly wet hours later. When you run out of hangers, it’s necessary to get a little creative.