Disaster! Third Biker Down
We camped in a small town right on the Danube River, so are watching lots of river traffic. I woke up to another damp morning with showers around us. Since it was a relatively long day, we got up before 6:00 and were on the road before 7:00. The scenery was out of a postcard through the river valley and thousand year old terraced vineyards. For some 30 km we rode in and out of small cobble stone villages every 5 km with quaint restaurants and wine tasting. Since we were in a hurry, we didn’t stop.
Terry managed to have three flats, so that slowed us down (I have not had my first). At about 80 km Terry, Don, and I decided to swing into a McDonalds for a quick snack(Mac Attack). While turning onto a bike path from a bridge, Don didn’t see a section of pipe sticking up six inches above the ground and managed to hook it with his peddle. He took a hard crash to the ground and lay stunned for several minutes. Terry and I got him up and we walked to a service station where I ask the attendant for help. This Austrian gentleman let me use his cell phone to contact Shanty, our tour leader, and then called for an ambulance. In several minutes we had the police and ambulance there. After we gave them a report they took Don off to the hospital. Shanty had me lock up Don’s bike and it was picked up by the van several hours later.
Don got right into the hospital and was told that he had a broken collar bone. They put him in a collar brace and told him there would be no biking for a month. Don rejoined us at the hotel and is making arrangements to fly back to Calgary. He was the life of the party and will be missed.
This makes three bikers down and three broken bones. The Orient Express staff said this is unprecedented. All I know is my good Viking friend gave me a lucky stone for my safe journey. I continue to carry it and it has taken good care of me.
I have been invited to attend a church concert tomorrow…I should probably do it.
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