Cosima Underwater

My ass hurts and my legs are sore, but it was still a fun excursion. Yesterday, I cycled 20 miles through the countryside south of Berlin, and by the end of the day was surprised that my ass hadn’t fused with the saddle. The distance was a bit ambitious for someone who doesn’t own bicycle pants, but what’s a few days of waddling like a duck in exchange for feeling a sense of accomplishment.

The best part was that I didn’t need to dodge cars and trucks. South of Berlin is something very cool, a network of over 200 kilometers (125 miles) of dedicated paths for skaters and cyclists, called Flaeming-Skate. There are several long circuits that go through forests and fields and pass little villages and towns. There are even restaurants and hotels along the way that specifically target skaters and cyclists.

I had been to the area before, but with a car. While riding in a car you miss 90% of what lies along the way. You don’t see the windmill half hidden by trees, you don’t smell the pine trees and flowers, you don’t realize that the road climbs a 580 feet hill (and on the plus side also descends it on the other side…wheeeeeee!).

And in a car you would just swoosh by the many plum trees laden with ripe, juicy fruits. The area around Berlin is famous for its picturesque country roads lined with trees, often several hundred years old. Some of them are fruit trees – cherry, apple, pear, and plum – and the best part is that whoever comes by can pick them.

Two kilos of plums gathered in my bicycle basket was enough for a whole tray of plum tart … yummy!