Day 1: Dolní Žleb zastávka to Dresden

The first day of the trek. After a reasonable nights rest, waking at 5.30am and hearing movement it was up at 6.30am. After finishing packing, eating, etc., the intrepid trekkers were ready to go at approx. 7.40am.

Prasna brana
The Powder
Tower

To accommodate an easy day, it was off to catch the train to Dolní Žleb. This involved a slightly rushed ride out of the valley to the ferry to cross the Vltava. After the heart rates rocketed to get there, it was an easy ride to cover the 10-12kms before putting our feet up for about a two hour trip north. However, on the way, we stopped for our first cultural experience. A stop at Prašná brána for a couple of snaps. 

The trip north was uneventful, just looking out the window at the views and a train transfer from Decni to Dolní Žleb. We didn't even have the excitement of Sparky ... left front wheel, left front wheel (those of a certain age will understand).

S: Dad, you've got the stop the train!
D: Why, son?
S: There'll be a horrible accident. A wheel is loose.
D: Oh, Sparky, don't be silly. Who told you this?
S: The train told me. I talked to me.

We had none of that. Ok, we may have got off a station too early but we here to cycle so we did. As it was late morning we stopped for a snack which became lunch. It was here we left our first marker.

Somewhat historic
border post

Today's trip was essentially following the Labe/Elbe to Dresden. It wasn't long before we crossed into Germany, just long enough to stop and get a snap of a somewhat historic border marker from pre-country separation.

It was sometime on this leg that we made our first stop of the trek for roadside fruit.

Q: Vat do you zink of ze Deutsch cherries?
A: Bitte.

Mountin' Goat

We continued to follow the river, enjoying the scenery before crossing the river at Bad Schandau. Ah, another perspective, we could look left more. Onward we trekked, breaking new ground. Konigstein passed by on the opposite bank with it castle high above on the hill. Onward, onward. We passed a small farm with a variety of animals. Of particular note, we saw a mountin' goat and a couple of emus. After stopping for the photo we keep cycling until the cycle track ran out. It was only ~3kms to Rathen over a mountain bike type track so we headed on. Then we stopped. Then we headed down a track towards the river. Then we climbed back up. Then we headed back to the ferry to cross the river to Konigstein. Finally, we were on the right track. 

They're drinking our bier hier

Further up the river it was time to stop for an afternoon break and a beer. A pleasant open air spot alongside the river and time to take stock, imbibe and consider the final leg of the day. My aim this trip whilst in Germany is to taste as much wurst and possible and only drink weiss beir. So far the latter is off to a good start. About 8kms to Dresden so off we rode. Through Pirna and then the sign. 16kms to Dresden. Huh? Too late to turn back so I guess it was best to keep going even though I was starting to flag. However, we made Dresden at around 5.30pm and cycled through the altstadt (old town). It was interesting to see the contrast as we went through and got into the new areas. Shower, dinner, beir and it's off to bed after day one. A bit longer than expected. Approx 85km cycled and top speed a very approx. 50kph. Not bad for what was basically a flat ride along a river and a few extra kms cycled. An day with a few eventful moments and a jolly time being had.