Biking Across Austria

You can cross Austria now on a bike path that goes clear across the country. The 212-mile trail runs along the shore of the Danube River. An advantage of a bike path running beside a river is that there is very little change in elevation. One drawback to this path is noted in a warning by an Austrian government official: “It is not advisable to use racing bikes, as the roads are frequently unpaved.”

The route consists of real cycle paths and treppelweg, roads and streets with very little traffic. Primary purpose of the treppelweg is for use by vehicles of the authorities whose jurisdiction includes shipping and the river.

Bikes may use these roads (though some signs may still indicate the opposite), but the treppelweg is closed to all other traffic. Federal roads are used only where there is no other possibility.

The bike path consists of 11 sections beginning at Passau at the German border. The 11 sections are Passau to Schloegen, 24 miles; Schloegen-Aschach, 16 miles; Aschach-Linz, 15 miles; Linz-Mauthausen, 14 miles; Mauthausen-Grein, 20 miles; Grein-Ybbs, 12 miles; Ybbs-Poechlarn-Melk, 14 miles; Melk-Krems, 20 miles; Krems-Tulln, 24 miles; Tulln-Vienna, 21 miles, and Vienna-Hainburg, 28 miles.

From April to October, bicycles can be rented at more than 100 rail stations in Austria for 70 Austrian schillings (about $6 U.S.) a day.

If you arrive at a destination in Austria by train you are eligible that day for a 50% discount on bicycle rentals. You’ll need photo identification.

Because of a large demand for bicycle rentals, it’s wise to phone ahead to a rail station and arrange a reservation. A list of participating stations is available from the Austrian National Tourist Office, 11601 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2480, Los Angeles 90025.

-- -- --

For many years, young travelers on extended trips overseas have taken an economical break by working as volunteers on an Israeli kibbutz for a month or two.

It won’t suit every young traveler, however. Much depends on the size and location of the kibbutz, the people you meet and the type of work you are assigned.

A helpful source of information on what to expect as a volunteer and how to contact the 230 kibbutzim that accept volunteers is “Kibbutz Volunteer,” $8.95, by John Bedford. It’s distributed by Writer’s Digest Books. The book includes information about the kibbutz life style and other types of volunteer jobs available in Israel.

Listings include the location and size of the kibbutz, age restrictions for volunteers (average ages, 17 to 30), commitment (usually six hours a day, six days a week, for one to three months), entertainment and sports facilities, the kinds of jobs assigned to volunteers, and extras such as free toiletries, cigarettes, pocket money and sightseeing excursions.

Some volunteers complain that they don’t feel as integrated into the communal life style as they expected. Much depends on the attitude of the individual kibbutz.