Experience with nextbike / Leihradl? Esp in the Danube Valley?
Jul 21st, 2013, 06:57 PM
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Experience with nextbike / Leihradl? Esp in the Danube Valley?
Planning a day trip out from Vienna to cycle along the Danube in September. Casual riders and wanting to ride one-way very leisurely, most probably just the 11km from Spitz to Dürnstein. Registered with nextbike (used to be called Leihradl in Austria, I believe) already, but just wondering if any of you have experience using this bike-sharing program.
We could do Sat, Sun or Mon in early Sept; but are thinking that Monday will be less crowded on the path and less chance of bike rentals running out. Even though there are fewer train connections from Vienna to Spitz in the morning. Other things I should worry about or consider?
We could do Sat, Sun or Mon in early Sept; but are thinking that Monday will be less crowded on the path and less chance of bike rentals running out. Even though there are fewer train connections from Vienna to Spitz in the morning. Other things I should worry about or consider?
Jul 22nd, 2013, 04:59 AM
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Next Bike is a service provided by quasi governmental agency to promote tourism. This done for several years now and very successful.
Note inexpensive prices.
Bikes are in good condition- sturdy -have adjustable seats- a wire basket to hold various items. No helmet- Bike pathways are paved - well marked and passing many vineyards and small villages. Stop on the way for a glass of wine.
Many kiosks to get these bikes - usually always some available.
September is a popular month for biking.Many seniors on the way - schools back in session so fewer families. Monday a better day for travel as many come from the city on weekends for an outing.
This is grape harvest time in this area- look for the drink known as Sturm( newly fermenting grape juice )
Note inexpensive prices.
Bikes are in good condition- sturdy -have adjustable seats- a wire basket to hold various items. No helmet- Bike pathways are paved - well marked and passing many vineyards and small villages. Stop on the way for a glass of wine.
Many kiosks to get these bikes - usually always some available.
September is a popular month for biking.Many seniors on the way - schools back in session so fewer families. Monday a better day for travel as many come from the city on weekends for an outing.
This is grape harvest time in this area- look for the drink known as Sturm( newly fermenting grape juice )
Sep 17th, 2013, 09:16 AM
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Just want to report back. We did as planned, taking the train and then Wachau Bus to Spitz, arriving just before 10am on the Monday, Sept 9. Very quiet everywhere, and there were about 8-9 bikes on the nextbike rack outside the train station, which is about 3 minutes' walk from the bus stop.
All bikes were in good condition, and we just chose 2 with the fullest tires. But others were okay too. Calling in was easy, though from my international phone, it'd be fairly expensive. We got the code for the lock right away, and everything on the phone was in English.
It was an overcast day with a tiny drop of rain. Route was extremely easy to follow, though parts of it was just the sidewalk along the main route. That'd be a bit dangerous if there were more cyclists.
We visited all the churches along the way, and had a great lunch at a gasthaus in Weißenskirchen. Returned the bike at the rack in Dürstein, right off the bus stop at around 3:15p. The rack was almost full, so we had to lock one of the bikes to the side of the rack. Calling in was just as easy.
Checking the balance later on, the 1€ that was charged during registration was indeed being used as a credit for our rental.
I would highly recommend renting from nextbike. And we saw plenty of people using CityBike Wien in Vienna as well, which offers free rental for 1st hour.
All bikes were in good condition, and we just chose 2 with the fullest tires. But others were okay too. Calling in was easy, though from my international phone, it'd be fairly expensive. We got the code for the lock right away, and everything on the phone was in English.
It was an overcast day with a tiny drop of rain. Route was extremely easy to follow, though parts of it was just the sidewalk along the main route. That'd be a bit dangerous if there were more cyclists.
We visited all the churches along the way, and had a great lunch at a gasthaus in Weißenskirchen. Returned the bike at the rack in Dürstein, right off the bus stop at around 3:15p. The rack was almost full, so we had to lock one of the bikes to the side of the rack. Calling in was just as easy.
Checking the balance later on, the 1€ that was charged during registration was indeed being used as a credit for our rental.
I would highly recommend renting from nextbike. And we saw plenty of people using CityBike Wien in Vienna as well, which offers free rental for 1st hour.
Nov 12th, 2013, 06:17 PM
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Here are our photos from the day in the Wachau:
http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/wachau130909
Other photos from our Austrian trip (not completed, still many more to process and upload):
http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/austria1309
http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/wachau130909
Other photos from our Austrian trip (not completed, still many more to process and upload):
http://rkkwan.zenfolio.com/austria1309
