Mission Accomplished - bought sim card and bikes!

We arrived in Innsbruck late last night after an uneventful flight, though we had a really long layover in Frankfurt, more than 7 hours. There were benches there without armrests between them, and both Peter and I managed to take little naps on them.
Today, in Innsbruck, has been a really packed day. The first order of business was getting a sim card, so that I have connectivity. I had a few ideas of places to go, based on research I did online, but the lady at the front desk told me to go to the top floor of the Kaufhaus Tirol, where there's a Saturn store, which is a little like Best Buy. That was pretty close, so we walked there - Peter navigated using the little map they gave out at the hotel. The Saturn store sold me a sim card for 10 Euros, the big catch is that it's ONLY for Austria. So when we get to Germany, we'll have to either do without internet, or buy another sim card. Contrary to what I found online, he said you DO need to have separate sim cards per country.

Once we got internet connectivity taken care of (at least, till we get to Germany), we went on the hunt for bikes. My plan was to look at a few places where they have used bikes, and the backup was to buy some cheaper new bikes. First we went to a place called Conrads (it was close to where we bought the sim cards), where the guy told me to come back at 2, because he was the only one there, and couldn't show me around back, where the used bikes are. He also said they didn't have very many. Then I went to a Rad und Tat bike store, out in Hall (we took the bus, as it would have been a very long walk). They had almost no used bikes, and suggested that I go to their other branch, back in Innsbruck, on Defreggerstrasse. It turns out that we should have gone there first, since that's where we got the bikes - one used one for me, and a new bike for Peter.

They seem pretty comfortable and in decent shape - I hope so, since I'm not very familiar with bike repairs! Not to mention I have no tools with, except for a patch kit. Which I sincerely hope I never have to use, because the last time I fixed a bike tire was...well, let's just say is was a LONG time ago.

Did I mention that it's hot? It's VERY hot. Everyone is staying in the shade. The forecast is for a little bit cooler tomorrow, our first day of biking.

Now that I don't need to worry about getting a sim card and buying bikes, I can start worrying about finding places to stay along the way. When we got to this hotel (Ibis Innbruck), there was another lady trying to get a room, but without a reservation. And they were all booked! The lady at the front desk gave her a suggestion on where to go, but still - it was about 10.30 at night, and she was searching for a hotel room (she missed a connecting train). I've been resisting planning in advance, because I don't know how far we're going to get every day. But I should probably try to book at least a day or two ahead. Maybe I'll make reservations that I can cancel.

What are my first impressions of Innsbruck? Number one - it's hot. But I said that already. Number 2 - wow, there's a lot of immigrants! Tons of ladies with head scarves, etc. I guess that was the big migration that came in a few years back - I don't think it's quite so easy anymore. 

Today in the room I'll try to figure out where things should go on the bikes. We're traveling very light, just some changes of clothing, no camping gear or anything since we'll be staying in hotels. So, we don't need paniers, but I will need to figure out how to attach the drybags we have to the back of the bikes. Luckily both of them have racks on the back wheel, and I have some cords, so I should be able to just attach them.  

Tomorrow (Peter's birthday), the bike ride begins!