Blogging in Berlin

So what does a girl do when she gets to Berlin? Go shopping of course!

I´m now the proud owner of some snazy new walking boots...German made of course! I decided i need these as my current cycling shoes are not the best things to walk in and i have the feeling i might be doing some walking in Iceland! There are also holes in the soles for the clip-less bits and i have found that the water gets in.. a lot if u tend to stand in puddles...

In addition i bought a silver tarp to help keep my tent a bit warmer... two man tent and only one body it can get a bit cool, even with a -15 degree sleeping bag. Plus the best water-proof gloves i have ever seen... hope they work at $45 euro this is a big purchase... Along with , insect spray, dried bean (yes finally i have found some dried food! I so much miss surprise peas), pasta in the shape of a bike, chocolate and other bits and stuff..

Oh i also did some tourist stuff... Cycling in Berlin is easy. I´m told Lonely Planet say its not good too do, but they need to ride in Perth.. Here cyclist have their own lane and traffic lights. Everyone has a bike... the place is so flat and u can put the bike on the train... with a bit of planning Berlin could become a car free city... okay that´s not likely but one can but dream.... So i did a 60k cycle ride through East Berlin to a lake... Okay i can´t remember where i was but it was very nice. Then the next day i did a bike tour with Fat Tire Bike Tours... Yes i would recommend them if u happen to be in Berlin. Its easy riding a bit slow but u get to see most of the tourist stuff and u can plan what u want to go inside to see.

The big expense for me on this trip is the maps. I´m happy to get them as they are so detailed. Today i bought the set do do the German section of the Baltic Sea Ride... looks great. And i have the Demark Baltic Sea book too this looks better.

My plan is to leave Berlin Friday and catch a train to Rostock at the Baltic sea. From here i head west towards Denmark and the plan is to ride up the east side of Denmark over the point and meet my ferry at Hanstholm by the 24 June.. I think i need around 20 days to do this. Whilst its flat, i´m expecting rain and wind and my best guess at the distance its over 1500kms...

I´m excited about getting to Iceland in a month... Thought I need to workout where i´m staying in Torshaven and Lerwick....

I won´t be updating site with photo´s for awhile so take a look at my past blogs where I have updated with happy snaps....

Downhill to Dresden

I left Prague at about 8am Tuesday 23 May. It was cool weather and had rained all night... so much for the sunblock cream i used yesterday. Struth the weather over here is moody....

The ride to the zoo on the otherside of the river was resonable simple, but i shouldn´t have taken the advice of the bike riding lawyer and used the road. Up hill through the park would have been simplier...

The navigation on this part of my trip was going to be a bit harder. But the best thing was that so many Germans where riding now. Within the 1st 30kms i had passed or been passed by about 5 groups of riders. On advice of same lawyer i avoided a narrow high wall section by riding uphill for 2ks. My rewards for this effort was no view of the valley but a loverly ride through farm land and the best down hill for 3kms through forrest along side a creek, with the 1st frogs i´ve heard since Oz.

I was using the German cycing maps to do this section, but i had also bought the local maps. I like the local maps as they tell u things like where the nature sections are, what the trees and rock are and why the land is as it is. Along with the local history. They do all this in English which is somewhat more helpful than in German. Its a bit distubing reading a map with cautions signs and not being able to read what it is you need to be cautious about

On my 1st day riding I met a group of cycling folks of 8 from Hamburg. They invited me to ride with them so i did. It was nice to have the company and even better not having to navigate . At times this path changes from a hotmixed cycle path to a track overgrown with grass, full of pot holes and large rocks on the edge of the river... One´s confidance u are on the right track is somewhat tested - alone this is a big test, but in a group its fun.

I was a bit concerned about camping on this section. Mainly because the 1st camp spot i road past was deserted!... but fate had other plans. And whilst i had set my mind on staying in a penzion house in Melnik, fate had me find a camping spot that i was very happy to be in. I even managed to cook dinner and dry a slightly wet tent.

My second day was great. I was happy to be riding on my own again and the sun was out. I stopped in a small town where i met a second set of 8 cycling Germans from Hamberg. Again i was invited to ride with them and i did again. This day the ride was wonderfully seanic riding through farmland with rolling hills in the background... At lunch time we all came to the town of Terezen and those of u with any ww2 history might know this place as one of the poltical camps used to house jews and others.... not the best place to visit but something that needs to be seen at least once..

This group of cyclist encoraged me to keep riding with them to the town they were staying in and to get a room at the hotel they had. This i did. But when i arrived it wasn´t a hotel but a penzion house and the only bed was in one of the rooms they had already booked. It was 7pm and a 5k ride back to camping spot - no issue but my newly found friends would have none of this and re-arranged themselves so as to have 3 girls in one room. It was a wonderful guesture. I have also been invited to stay with everyone in Hamburg in August.

At one point on this section of the ride we had to ride along a creek that started out as a bike path and soon turned into one of those paths where the grass is so high you can´t see your bike wheels, the track is unevan, covered in rocks and tree roots, mud and winds all over the place. Again on my own i would have been a bit concerned, but with 8 other riders this was so much fun to ride through.

Now how is Patience coping with all this? just wonderful. The bike couldn´t be better. She seams to love being off-road fuly loaded. The only bit she (and i don´t like) is cobble stones... but i have now let the air out of my tyres and we are both much happier....

I get on the road early ish 8am and leave my new found friends. I´m not well i have a old and i´m keen to keep riding in case it developes to a point where i can´t ride. The navigation is much easier in this section. i´m closer to Germany now. But i like Chek(?) the place is more wild more ruggard more natural.... and it has hills. I like hills they give the place depth.

Now i do well today riding. Almost too well. It mostly down hill along a flat river cycle path. Only one section is hard a ride, two arrow or good 10 to 15% hill. I´m encouraged to do this by a German non-english speaking cyclist. And what a treat. He kept telling me it was a panarrama and i had to see it. The only word ot of my mouth once i got my breath back from the uphil ride was Fuck...this view was well past the usual wow or shit.... it was breath taking... We road together to the German boarder not really talking, he would just say moment, moment stop look and point to where i was to look and see the view. This section was a great moment.

I kept riding today. I was a public holiday in German some catholic day, but to me it was a day for young men to get very pissed. It was a bit like Australia Day but over 30 to 40 kms of very drunk men. It spoit the otherwise great view. I got a bit worried when riders told me I wouldn´t find accomodation anywhere in the area or in Dresden.... But fate put me in the right spot and i met a small group if riders.... these guys had accomodation in a hostel in Dresden and i could stay there also... great! I didn´t want to camp it was not a very prity place to be in with so many druck men....

Next day Friday i take a look around Dresden but compaired to Prague its a dissappointment. The place is very nice, but the drunk young men on this weekend really spoilt the place and it was very busy every place to stay was booked out with in 20ks.... Also the town is under much restoration so getting around it abit of trouble. The folks i met lived north ish of Berlin and said they would give me a lift... What a bonus i was not ready to catch the train again so i took up the offer....

So i arrived in Berlin late Friday night 26th May... having spent a good 30 minutes on the phone in the car trying to find a place to stay... yep Berlin is very busy also due to the holidays... I stay in independant hostel in East Berlin....

Names on comments

Hi folks

Getting your comments is great, but can you please add your name at the end of message otherwise i don't know who its from.

ta

Fleur

Perfect Prague

What a city. Well worth the trouble getting here. I had a ball yesterday (Sunday) walking around the place looking at all the attraction, parks and towers.... I spend lots of Crown but i was happy doing so...

Last night I went to a symphany concert which was great. Its music week here nowt and you could spend a week listening to clasical music. Its also a bit like United Nations - all the languages in the street are wonderful. Last night I met two ladies from Gelong who are cycling like me with tent but south from Prague - they are early 60's - but one spoke the language which helps. I feel very safe here, even during the Ice Hockey win celerbrations held last night in the main square... What a party they had - though the Chek lady from Gelong was ashamed of the mess....

Today - Monday I rest a bit and get ready to ride on Tuesday. I'm ready to ride and I think it will be okay. I may not camp and just use B&B for the next 3 days.... I'll see....

Train whisle blowing.....

Where do i start! iám a bit battered and brused from train but iĺl explain my Saturday 20 May

Train 4,16 am Koblenz to Nurnberg arrive 8,24am
I get up at 2,30am as i´m stressed about getting bike up stairs in hotel. I do it and it doesn´t take long but i´m shaking like a leaf from the energy and effort both physical and mental to do it. Its a cold morning but not for me i get to station 1 hour early and i wait. Train is 15 minutes late... I don´t know where to stand on the platform and of course i´m in the wrong spot... i run to wagon 5 and the first words out of my mouth was SHIT when i see the two stairs up into the train... lucky for me the couple who just got off with bikes help me get patience on tain... i´m thinking i have to work on this problem of stairs and 50kg and me being a weakling...

everyone on train is sleeping and we don´t all wake for some time. i chat with a guy about the cycle trip he is doing. he helps me get my bike of train and tells me to use the lift to get off platform i have 20 minutes to get connecting train.

Train 8,43 am Nurnberg to Marktredwitz arrives 10,03 am
I should have taken the lift advice instead i use the down esclator from platform 9 only problem no up esclator - Now the only word is FUCK!... but after a bit of a panic a cleaner helps me take my bike up using the electric luggage belt... bloody wonderful... I run to train and no one to help me but i can do with determination. I unload 2 bags throw them into the train, nealz loosing 1 under the train. I then get the front of bike on to top stair and drag the rest of the bike into train. Again i´m buggered, shaking but verz happy i did it. I think no drama i can do this.

I chat to some English train drivers on holidays and they help unload bike at Marktredwitz

Train 11.10 am Marktredwitz to Cheb arrives 11.35 am
This was the easiest.. no stairs and i don't have to change platforms. Just get my bike into a train with no stairs. This is fine...then just as the train is ready to leave 4 other bike riders get their bikes on its very crowded...little did i know how important these guys would become...

Train 12.20 pm Cheb to Praha (Prague) arrive 15.45 pm
We all get off there is no information, no platform numbers, no train staff and yep no train... We have to catch a bus to the next station. Now this may sound simple, but 5 bikes with luggage have to be carried down a flight of stairs and back up. Then we have to load them into a bus that is like a bit CAT bus from Perth and go to wherever the next station is.... This would have been bloody hard on my own and was almost as hard even with the help of 4 German guys...

The bus drives for an hour and we stop at a station. Again we have to get 5 bikes down a flight of stairs and back up.... Then once on the station the bikes have to be loaded into a rail wagon...simple but this is over a metre above the ground. I half unload bike and the boys lift it in with their bikes. We are then told all bikes must be unloaded and put into the racks standing on their back wheels... I can't lift Patience onto hook so again I'm help... on top of this we have to pay 20 crown each to have bikes in wagon. I don't have any crown and again the boys pay and won't take any Euro from me....

We find some sets and just relax for the next 3 hours. For me the next stop is the end of trains for the boys they have 2 more trains to catch...

They help me get the bike off the train and unload luggage. I help as much as i can with their stuff. They have 20 minutes to catch their next train... we say goodbye and wish each other safe riding... I take my bike down a set of stairs and hope for no more

Accomodation
I didn't booking anywhere to stay.. so I'm walking around train station looking at all the info places that are closed thinking this might be a bad plan not knowing where to stay... I do have hostel book but no map. A lady (Alana) comes up to me and says she can help me find somewhere to stay I say i want hostel and she calls a friend. The place has a bed and its near station. I go with her. I get my bed for around 15 Euro a night. A couple of Americans tell me the place is good and its close to old Prague. I stay.

The hostel lady and Alana load me and my bike into the smallest lift in the world. Patience just fits with me also. My room has 3 bed but I'm the only one in it. Other guest have to walk through my room to get to theirs but its 3 girls from Brazil... and I'm too tired to care.

A couple of stressed calls to Ron and I then go for a walk I just have to get out. Its now about 5.30pm. Its raining but i don't care i'm soon enchanted by Prague... This place can calm any tired mind. I walk for 3 hours, eat and drink. I love the place already....

Killing time in Koblenz

Those of u following my progress will haved noted that I'm back in Koblenz. I was here on Easter Sunday. It was cold & wet then... now its wet and cold...

Tomorrow morning at 4am I catch a train to Prague... very excited.... From here I'll ride up to Dresden and if going well will ride on to Magdeburg. From here I'll catch train to Berlin...

So it might be a week or so before I update this weblog again. Thanks for all ur great comments I really appreciate the feedback....

Meandering on Mosell

What a great 4 day ride.... I started riding from Remich on the Mosel... this is south east of Luxembourg (ish)....

I have good wether for two days, almost hot... the next two days a little wet, but okay still.

It's hard to describe this part of the world... it is rolling hills, grapevines growing on very steep slopes, old old villages and flat cycling. It is very nice... U can spend the whole time drinking and eating and not riding at all if u want...

I met lots of interesting riders, but yes the grey nomads were out and about on there bikes. I had coffee bought for me in one town and lots of people saying hi and very happy...

Just needed other cyclists with me to enjoy the wine and riding...

To give u an idea of how easy the riding is I did 88kms on two days and was still camping at 4pm... I think the Mosel is better than the Rhien Ride... if u are after a coffe & wine & food cycle trip...

Peddling in Paris

What a wonderful weekend...

Thought getting there was a bit of a concern. A thunderstorm hit when we were in the car and the hail was about the size of pea. We (Thierry and I) had to stop driving as u couldn't see. Then the road flooded.. Glad I wasn't on the bike

We arrived late on Saturday arvo. Paris come alive at night and this was Saturday night so get very alive..

We had dinner in a Tibetan Resturant and then walked up to see the view of Paris at night from the Musee de Montmartre (?). It was specky...

Walked passed the Moulion Rouge but I didn't see Niclole anywhere... Though lots of very drunk young Australians having fun...

Next day we got the bikes out, armed with a 10 year old cycling map of Paris, packed lunch, 3 bike locks and a vague outline of a cycling plan....

1st stop was the roundér-about u see of Paris. The monument is impressive and it was early so not that many cars so yes we road around it. Then off to the park in Paris. This was great the roads are closed on Sundays for riding and roller blading so lots of people riding and blading. From here we made our way to the Tour Eiffel... Impressive... Didn't go up though the line was over an hour long and franking I was having to much fun cycling around the place...

We then road along the canal in Paris and I got to see Notra Dame? and other impressive buildings...

Yes I had coffee in Paris... it was fun

Buggered in Belgium and Fresh in France

Hi Folks

What a week. I have cycled over 300kms through rolling hills, winding rivers, pitctureques? villages, with rain and sunshine. I have stopped for a bit resting in Bouillon on the border of France and Belgium. Nice town to stop in. Though the most interesting town on the ride was Rocroi a fortified town in the shape of a star. Here I met pilgrim - Dutch guy walking 3000kms to Spain and I thought I was doing it tough!

The hills were around 5 to 8% but in the villages at times more. The longest up ride was 6kms but 3 in a day is a lot. At the top of most hills was a place to view the village below - these images will stay with me for a long time. The best downhill was 12kms into Bouillon. Over all this section of riding is not hard. Tassie was/is much harder to ride in the hills are higher. Whilst i climbed up i never got higher than around 500mtrs

The riding was great but speaking French is hard. getting info on where to find camping or food is very tiring. People are helpful though. But only know their local town info not what is in the next town. And Tourist info? as long as you speak French you can get info - otherwise its a case of pointing and guessing. Once day someone must tell me how to say banana in French as its spelt the same yet no one know what i ask for.

I have been invited to cycle in Paris this weekend with cycling folk I have met in Bouillon on my rest day. Too tempting an offer not to go and my friends are French Belgium... yes i should have taken lessions, but this is next best thing. This has meant not much cycling this week and I will need to accept their offer of a lift with my bike to Luxembourg or somewhere on the Mossel River on Monday/ Tuesday.

So i get to see Paris - this is a bit of a shift in plans. All i want to do is drink a coffee in the centre of the city and to see the tour eifel... Okay I know there is more to Paris than this but it is the life on the streets as people participqte in their day that i like....

My plan is to ride Mossel River to Koblens - Germany qnd then take train to Berlin. I have decided to spend a week in Berlin... Which is good as the spare bike tyres I posted to friends have not arrived so I will have to buy some more.

I feel a bit lost not cycling - its only Wednesday and I last rode bike Sunday so only 3 days. My freinds bring me to Luxembourg today to sightsee and drink coffee in the sun... yes it is sunny again :)

Au revoir