Not the Rhine

Most of my river cycling in Europe has been along the Rhine -- that critical artery for commerce.  True, there are also pleasure river cruises now, but they are in the minority.  The Danube is its artistic sibling.

Both rivers have km markers so one can measure exactly one's pace (actually it is more for the boat traffic).  Both do have working boats and pleasure boats.  Neither is particularly clean, but there are bathers that brave the waters.  Both run to the sea with a delta formation.  Both have a cycle path on both shores.

But, the Danube is the contemplative Mary to the Rhine's Martha.  I don't know if it actually is slower, but it seems so, especially in the upper region where we started.  There are not high speed train tracks down both shores.  There are not an endless stream of heavily laden river barges passing each other in opposite directions.  There appears to be a much higher percentage of cruise boats and many more small fun crafts of a variety of designs and sizes.  There are less towns on the Danube -- more mountains and rock faces, more forests right to the shore.  Much less noise.  It is the sleepy relaxed one.  Here it passes Linz -- voted Europe's cultural city of 2009.  And it goes on to Vienna, that capital of everything refined and artistic.

Don't make a mistake.  I love cycling the Rhine and hope to do the whole portion of it in Germany, but the Danube is a lovely change, and isn't variety the spice of life?

still having picture trouble.