The KTM ebike tour of Lower Austria (Rivers Kamp, Thaya & March)
When I think back on the KTM ebike tour, I can’t help but grin. It was a week of laughter, charming landscapes, and a few lessons learned the hard way. My friend Wendi and I embarked on this seven-day cycling adventure through Austria, each experiencing a first—her first bike tour in Austria and my first time touring with a friend. What followed were constantly changing landscapes, hilarious mishaps, and unforgettable moments.
Our KTM ebike tour began in the charming wine town of Krems an der Donau. We followed the River Kamp north through the Waldviertel (Forest Quarter) and Weinviertel (Wine Quarter). The landscapes were a delightful surprise, shifting from pumpkin-dotted farmland to lush vineyards and deep forests. Along the way, we debated the merits of excellent cake and the benefits of cake and ebiking, for which we had to try several samples in order to conduct this experiment. The result was overwhelming; the more cake you eat, the more you enjoy your ebike tour. (You’re welcome!)
St Pölten – Langlois
Day 1 set the tone with a blend of rain, Greek pizza, and snails. After a soggy ride from St Pölten train station to Langenlois, we found refuge in a charming B&B, Catalleya Haus, where our host greeted us with open arms. Dinner featured an unexpected fusion of pizza and Greek cuisine, served by a waiter who slightly resembled Liev Schreiber. The highlight of the evening? Dodging a swarm of snails that emerged after the rain.
Langlois – Ottenstein
Day 2 brought sunshine and cake as we cycled through vineyards and into the serene Waldviertel. A stop at Altenburg Stift monastery for coffee and cake was a highlight, though battery anxiety nearly derailed the day. Miraculously, we found a charging point just in time, saving me from a potential meltdown. That evening, we watched the sunset over the Ottenstein reservoir with cold beers in hand, a perfect end to a challenging day.
Ottenstein – Waidhofen an der Thaya
Day 3 was a mix of golden cornfields, wrong turns, and a pharmacy visit for Wendi’s cold. A navigational blunder led us into the woods, proving that paper maps still have their place. Meanwhile, after discovering mine were on the verge of a wardrobe malfunction, I treated myself to new cycling shorts.
Waidhofen an der Thaya – Hardegg
Day 4 took us to Hardegg, Austria’s smallest city, nestled on the Czech border. The day was filled with pumpkin fields, cold coffee, shrink-wrapped cake and a detour that added extra kilometres to our route. Despite the hiccups, Hardegg charmed us with its stunning views and warm hospitality at the Thalyablick apartments.
Hardegg – Falkenstein
Day 5 tested our endurance with a gruelling climb out of Hardegg and a longer-than-expected ride to Falkenstein due to my inability to calculate distances and battery usage! Along the way, we admired cannabis fields (a first for me) and indulged in wild peeing escapades that left us in stitches. By the time we reached our accommodation, we were exhausted but grateful for a delicious dinner and a good night’s sleep.
Falkenstein – Hainburg
Day 6 brought fairy tales, apples, pears and ice cream as we cycled through vineyards and orchards. A miscalculation left my battery dead in Hainburg (see the theme here?), but an ice cream the size of my face made up for it.
Hainburg – Vienna
The final day took us to Vienna via the Danube, where an accidental detour through a nudist area left me mortified but provided endless laughs. I am so British in that respect; nudity is not our thing. We celebrated our journey with overpriced drinks in Stephansplatz, reminiscing about our ridiculous tan lines and the joy of the open road.
In summary
This tour was more than just a cycling adventure; it celebrated friendship, our spirit of adventure, and life’s simple pleasures. From picturesque landscapes to unexpected encounters, the KTM route left us with memories to cherish forever. Would I do it again? Absolutely—but next time, I’ll plan my battery usage more wisely and avoid nudist zones!
For the full itinerary and tour, click here.
https://ebike-europe.com/routes/the-ktm-rivers-tour-kamp-thaya-march/