Vienna Woods and the Austrian Lake District

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

Join us for a beautiful loop ride around eastern Austria. Starting outside of Vienna we will cycle through the Vienna Woods area, along the Danube, to the Lake District near Salzburg. We will spend three nights in Mondsee allowing time to cycle or bus to Salzburg for a day, visit the beautiful lakes in the area, and/or take a rest day. We will return on a more southern route again with beautiful mountains, lakes and valleys passing by such places as picturesque Hallstatt. If you wish to spend more time in Vienna itself, plan to arrive early or stay late.

RIDE RATING
This ride is rated 2B, with an average daily distance of 40 miles and average elevation gain of 2,369 feet when you choose the easier option. (Although we have cycled similar routes twice, this data is from RideWithGPS.) There are four days that exceed the 2B rating, indicated below with an asterisk (*). There are ten days of required riding and three rest days with optional rides. The longest day is followed by a rest day. See Itinerary below for details.

ITINERARY
Sunday, June 4: Arrive in Baden bei Wien located outside Vienna and in the Vienna Woods area. Baden is a spa town with plenty of shops and restaurants near the hotel.

Monday, June 5: Baden to Sankt Pölten (50 miles, 2,174 ft; or 42 miles, 2,918 ft). Today we leave Baden and climb through the Vienna Woods and countryside to Sankt Pölten above the Danube.

Tuesday, June 6: Sankt Pölten to Melk (16 miles, 451 ft; or 48 miles, 1,531 ft). We will drop to the Danube and continue along it for a good part of the day. Be sure to arrive early enough in Melk to visit the Abbey on the hill. An alternate route to Melk is much shorter but might be appropriate if you want extra time at the Abbey.

* Wednesday, June 7: Melk to Steyr (53 miles, 1,798 ft; or 65 miles, 4,997 ft) The route with less climbing returns to the Danube and the other leaves the Danube and climbs into the hills.

Thursday, June 8: Steyr to Gmunden (40 miles, 2,182 ft; or 48 miles, 4,040 ft) We will climb in the hills today and then enjoy the beautiful descents. Our ride takes us to one of the most beautiful lakes, the Traunsee, on the trip.

Friday, June 9: Gmunden to Mondsee (33 miles, 2,129 ft; or 54 miles, 3,184 ft) Both routes will take us from the Traunsee past the Wolfgangsee and eventually the Mondsee. We are truly in Austria’s lake country. Expect beautiful lake and mountain views all day.

Saturday & Sunday, June 10 & 11: Mondsee (Rest day; or 45 miles, 1,600 ft; or 57 miles, 3,763 ft, or 36 miles, 2,817 ft) Mondsee is quite close to Salzburg. We will be spending three nights here providing an opportunity for a rest day, a route in the lake country, or a ride to Salzburg and back. If you have not been to Salzburg before, you may want to take the bus from Mondsee to Salzburg so that you can have a full day to visit. There are lots of opportunities for loop rides out of Mondsee and you may want to make one up of your own. The adventurous may want to cycle to Berchtesgaden, home of Hitler’s “Eagle’s Nest”, in Germany up the scenic Rossfelder Panoramastrasse.

* Monday, June 12: Mondsee to Bad Aussee (46 miles, 3,012 ft; or 72 miles, 7,826 ft) We continue through beautiful lake country again today. We pass through Hallstatt, one of the most beautiful views on the trip. We then continue on to Bad Aussee. We will pass one very short (<500 meters) 23% climb. Although it is labeled 23%, we have been able to make it up this grade on both single bikes and our tandem. Of course you can feel free to walk your bike if you find it too difficult. It is a nice descent to our hotel. Bad Aussee is another spa town.

Tuesday, June 13: Bad Aussee to Admont (39 miles, 1,850 ft; or 57 miles, 4,926 ft) More beautiful mountains and valleys today. A ride around the Grundlsee is a nice addition to today’s ride. You may be interested in visiting the Admont Abbey in Admont.

* Wednesday, June 14: Admont to Mariazell (64 miles, 5,551 ft) Our route follows the Salza River valley to Mariazell, passing through the beautiful Gesause National Park. We will come to several bicycle tunnel diversions as well as a special tunnel just for bicycles. The river and mountain views are memorable today.

Thursday, June 15: Mariazell (Rest or loop rides 26 miles, 1,961 ft; or 38 miles, 2,888 ft;) The Basilica in Mariazell is the most important objective for the many pilgrims coming to Mariazell. The town will keep you occupied if you choose to take a rest day. The two loop rides take you in the country side around Mariazell.

* Friday, June 16: Mariazell to Semmering (31 miles, 2,497 ft (w/mountain train); or 40 miles, 3,736 ft; or 51 miles, 6,077 ft) Both routes today pass through more hills and valleys. After our first climb and descent we ride along the sides of a river 16 miles with a little descent followed with a 1,000 ft climb and then a nice descent into Mürzzuschlag. From here you can choose to take a mountain train up to Semmering with only a short climb to the hotel or you can cycle up to Semmering climbing an additional 1,300 feet. The longer route passes near Reichenau an der Rax where once again you can take a mountain train to Semmering and save over 2000 ft of climbing.

Saturday, June 17: Semmering to Baden (44 miles, 408 ft; or 62 miles, 4,547 ft) After the nice descent from Semmering, the shorter route will take you along the Schwarza River to Neunkirchen. From there you will continue on a gentle descent to Baden. On the longer route you will descend from Semmering and have a mild climb for 22 miles ascending about 1,000 ft. This is followed by a 9-mile descent dropping 1,100 ft. Once again a climb of 3 miles ascending 700 ft followed by a general descent into Baden with a few rollers.

Sunday, June 18: Our BAC trip ends after breakfast in the hotel.

WEATHER
The average high temperature in June is in the upper 60’s to low 70’s. There will almost surely be some rain. Be prepared for warm, cold, wet, dry, calm and windy conditions.

LODGING
We will be staying in four-star hotels. When possible we have chosen hotels that are in city centers and within walking distance of shops and eating establishments.

LOGISTICS
We start and end our Austria tour in Baden bei Wein, Austria. The closest airport is Vienna (VIE). From the airport you may take a taxi to Baden; there is a train from the airport to central Vienna and then another train from there to Baden. If you choose the train option, you probably would still want to take a taxi from the Baden train station to the hotel since you will be traveling with bike boxes and luggage. We ask that you use an airline carry-on size piece of luggage (22” x 14” x 9”) along with a small bag/pack. Please do not bring duffels as they do not pack well. Our van will not be large enough to carry excessive luggage. If your airline standard carry-on luggage expands, that is okay. Please leave excess clothing/personal effects in your bike box at the start hotel.

GROUP DINNERS
We will review the preferences in your “BAC Profile.” However most of our hotels will not provide special meals other than a vegetarian option. Please make sure your preferences are updated on the BAC website. Very few hotels allow a group to order off the menu and most insist on serving only one main dish.

COST AND ADMINISTRATION
The estimated cost is $2400 per person, double occupancy and based on the exchange rate of 1 Euro = $1.20 US.  (The BAC registration cost of $100 is not included.) The actual cost of the trip may change with currency exchange rate fluctuations. The cost will include 14 nights lodging, plus 14 breakfasts, 11 dinners, luggage transfer, daily route review and local sightseeing information. Maps and route sheets will be provided. GPS tracks will be provided for those who want them, but it is up to the rider to know how to use his/her GPS device before the trip begins. The initial deposit of $1200 does not include the $100 BAC registration fee. The final payment of $1200 is due on November 1, 2016. The van driver’s primary role will be to transport luggage and supplies. While the van will be available to assist with any emergencies, it will not serve as a sag vehicle and participants are expected to complete each required ride day.

SINGLES AND SOLOS POLICY
Singles are welcome and encouraged to find compatible roommates and/or riding partners. The Ride Directors will introduce singles to other singles who have expressed interest in the trip, but singles must make their own choice of roommates. We do not take solos due to room limitations.

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY
Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and clean-up. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration fee of $100 for this tour is not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant cannot be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.

SIGN-UP
To submit a request to join this ride use the "links" displayed above this Ride Description. When you are accepted, the Ride Leader will move you from the Wait List to the Pending List. At this time you will receive an email notification to login to the BAC website to sign the release of liability form and pay the non-refundable BAC ride registration fee online. Once those steps have been completed, the initial deposit of $1200 will be due. To contact the Ride Leader, "click" the name at the top of this Ride Description.