The fields prosper so visibly that it makes you happy; the new maize, the silage grain all of a height and wheat in heavy heads with awns that glisten with moisture and weigh the seed head to a tilt. A field of wheat shimmers palely in the slanting morning light. A mowing tractor is leveling a field of green silage grain, not taking the seed heads but laying the whole down in rows for collection.
There has been some rain. The unpaved track is puddled. We think we can make Ferndorf to catch the train that we know is leaving Spittal at 9:31. It's too pleasant now riding the levee between fluss and field to make it a race. If we catch it, we do; if not there's another.
At 9:25 am we find a turning labeled "Ferndorf". We quickly come to the tracks and a small unmanned station platform with a ticket machine.
The schedule tells us the Villach train will arrive in 14 minutes. We buy tickets for us €8 and the bikes, €10.
The only question is will the train stop on the left platform or the one across the road?
It's a 50-meter dash between them. If we guess wrong, we have no chance at all of changing.
The fast freight going towards Spittal passes using the track for platform 2. Our train will have to be on platform 1, it being only two minutes from arrival.
"Yes, the signal is green!"
The train driver sees us and he puts the bicycle door directly in front of Marilyn.
After the train, it is a short and pleasant ride and then there's a bit of navigation to find Mülbach. We have big, meaty lunch at Rosegg.
We follow the turns carefully and we probably then climb a few hills that might have been avoided by leaving the R1.
Mülbach is really a few kilometers from the nearest store, so we have dinner and a beer at our Hotel Thomashof. We're a bit tired, even after only 24 miles cycling. Our balcony affords nice views and a nice place to dry a few rinsed-out garments.Tyrol Bike Tour, Drau River
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