Why I did the Smile Tour of Austria?
Recently I undertook a tour across Austria on my e-bike, hence the Smile Tour of Austria. I wanted to cycle on a number of different bike paths to show the kind of scenery we have here. Also, help people understand what to expect from a bike tour and to get some visibility for my website and social media sites. And finally, I wanted to spread a bit of positivity about travelling after the lockdown and everything which has gone on since March.
I have been riding an e-bike for 9 years and have done several tours all over Austria as well as in many other countries in Europe. However, this is the first time I have completed a tour on my own without my husband to help.
Just try it.
I am not an athlete or a fitness fanatic, I’m 54 and of the cuddly persuasion but I also love cycling and exploring the countryside on 2 wheels. I want to encourage and inspire people to get out and try something new, irrelevant of their shape, size or fitness. As long as you can ride a bike, you can ride an e-bike – it’s cycling, but easier.
Changing views
The past few months have changed a lot of peoples views, I hope mainly for the better. People talk about the ‘new normal’ but do we really know what that means yet? I couldn’t wait for it so I created my own new normal. Which meant cycling over 1100 km, all over Austria covering 7 of the 9 provinces and seeing the most beautiful parts of this incredibly diverse country. The Smile Tour of Austria became my new normal.
Whatever it is you are looking for, trying an e-bike will be something you will never regret. It opens up a whole new world to so many people. I will warn you though, it is highly addictive and once you start, you won’t be able to stop.
Why the Smile Tour of Austria?
When I was planning my trip the route looked like a smile and as everyone needs a smile at the moment, I decided to call it that. A Scot in Austria is just because that is who I am.
Smile Tour of Austria Route
Below you will find each day I completed with the kilometres and the height gain and loss. I have also included the Radweg (bike path) name to help with any planning you would like to do.
Each of these days are on Komoot – find me under Lindsey Cairns – Ebike Europe.
Tirol & Salzburgerland
22.6 Stage 1. Kufstein to St Ulrich Via Ellmau, St Jo, Waidring and St Ulrich – 51kms. (730m up, 370m down) Wilder Kaiser radweg, Mozart radweg, Pillerseetal
23.6 Stage 2 – St Ulrich to Böckstein 84.2kms (800m up, 540m down) Tauern radweg & Gasteinertal radweg / Alpe Adria Radweg
Carinthia
24.6 Stage 3 – Böckstein durch den Tunnel nach Mallnitz – Sachsenberg Sachsenburg – Weissensee – Ausflug 66.5kms (750m up, 1330m down) Through Mölltal, Drau radweg / Alpe Adria Radweg
25.6 Stage 4 – Sachsenberg – Velden am Wörthersee 71.9kms (300m up, 380m down) Drau radweg
26.6 Stage 5 – Velden to St Kanzian am Klopeinersee 75.3kms (500m up, 520m down) Drau radweg
27.6 Stage 6 – Rundum Klopeinersee 36.2kms (360m up, 330 down)
28.6 Stage 7 – Klopeinersee – Wolfsberg 73.6kms (530m up, 377m down) Drau radweg & Lavantal radweg
29.6 Stage 8 – Wolfsberg – Deutschlandsberg 66.8kms (1,250m up, 1330m down) Verbindungs Etappe zwischen Kärnten / Steiermark
Styria
30.6 Stage 9 – Deutschlandsberg – via Leibnitz – Mureck 76.4kms (500m up, 410m down) Südsteiermark Weinstrasse Radweg
1.7 Stage 10 – Mureck – Bad Radkersburg – St Anna am Aigen 47.3kms (330m up, 160m down) von Mureck on R2 Mur Radweg & R12 Radweg
2.7 Stage 11 – Rundum St Anna am Aigen 31.5kms (680m up, 680 down)
3.7 Stage 12 –St Anna am Aigen – Güssing, 71.2kms (620m up, 700m down) R12 Radweg & R1 Jubiläumsradweg
Burgenland
4.7 Stage 13 – Güssing – Grosspeterdorf, 41.9km (510m up, 340m down) R1 Jubiläumsradweg
5.7 Stage 14 – Grosspetersdorf – Rust, Part 1 Grosspetersdorf to Hartberg (31.3km 340m up, 300m down), Part 2 Mattersburg – Rust (28.2km 130m up, 240m down), R1 Jubiläumsradweg
6.7 Stage 15 – Neusiedlersee (38kms 130m up, 120m down) – mit Fähre und Lokal Radweg
7.7 Stage 16 – Rust – Neusiedl am See 43.5kms (160m up, 140m down) R1 Jubiläumsradweg
8.7 Stage 17 – Neusiedl am See – Wien 66.2kms (270m up, 240m down) R1 Jubiläumsradweg & Danube Radweg
Vienna & Lower Austria
9.7 Stage 18 – Wien – Krems 81.9kms (230m up, 190m down) Danube Radweg
10.7 Stage 19 – Krems rundfahrt 32.3km (470m up, 470m down) Danube Radweg plus lokal radweg
11.7 Stage 20 – Krems – Hochfilzen mit Zug dann nach Hause.
Thoughts?
As always, let me know your thoughts. If you have any specific questions then go to my Facebook page @ebikeeurope and ask me.
