The Danube Cycleway Volume 2. Mike Wells

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      Every Romanian village has a number of small grocery shops combined with a bar like this one in Ciocăneşti (Stage 25)

      Cycle shops

      Cycle shops and repair facilities are few and far between, particularly in Romania. A basic knowledge of cycle maintenance, particularly mending a puncture, adjustment of brakes and gears, replacement of broken spokes and repairing a broken chain might come in useful.

      Currency and banks

      The Hungarian currency is the Forint, although many tourist oriented businesses such as hotels and restaurants will accept payment in euros. In Croatia the official currency is the Kuna, but as the euro is closely tracked by the Kuna, it is widely accepted here too. It is likely that Croatia will join the Eurozone during the lifetime of this guide.

      Serbians use the Dinar, a direct successor of the Yugoslav Dinar while the currency in Romania is the Lei. In both countries the best rates of exchange are usually obtained by taking cash (pound sterling, euro or US dollar) and exchanging it locally in registered exchange offices rather than banks; the days of an active black market are long gone. In both countries euros are widely accepted in tourist oriented businesses, indeed hotel prices are often quoted in euros. Cross-exchange of local currencies is surprisingly difficult, even at border crossings. Because of this you should avoid changing too much currency as you may not be able to exchange it back after you leave the country.

      Almost every town has a bank and many have ATM machines which enable you to make transactions in English. Contact your bank to activate your bank card for use in Europe.

      Telephone and internet

      The whole route has mobile phone coverage. Contact your network provider to ensure your phone is enabled for foreign use with the optimum price package. International dialling codes from UK (+44) are:

      Almost all hotels, guest houses and hostels make internet access available to guests, usually free.

      Electricity

      Voltage is 220v, 50HzAC. Plugs are standard European two-pin round.

What to take

      Clothing and personal items

      Even though the route is generally level, weight should be kept to a minimum. You will need clothes for cycling (shoes, socks, shorts/trousers, shirt, fleece, waterproofs) and clothes for evenings and days off. The best maxim is two of each, ‘one to wear, one to wash’. The time of year will make a difference as you need more and warmer clothing in April/May and September/October. All of this clothing should be capable of washing en route, and a small tube or bottle of travel wash is useful. A sun hat and sunglasses are essential, while gloves and a woolly hat are advisable in spring and autumn.

      In addition to your usual toiletries you will need sun cream and lip salve. You should take a simple first-aid kit. If staying in hostels you will need a towel and torch (your cycle light should suffice). Mosquitoes can be a problem in rural areas in summer, particularly if camping, and both insect repellent and sting relief lotion should be carried.

      Cycle equipment

      Everything you take needs to be carried on your cycle. If overnighting in accommodation, a pair of rear panniers should be sufficient to carry all your clothing and equipment, but if camping, you may also need front panniers. Panniers should be 100 per cent watertight. If in doubt, pack everything inside a strong polythene-lining bag. Rubble bags, obtainable from builders’ merchants, are ideal for this purpose. A bar-bag is a useful way of carrying items you need to access quickly such as maps, sunglasses, camera, spare tubes, puncture-kit and tools. A transparent map case attached to the top of your bar-bag is an ideal way of displaying maps and guidebook.