My bike tour to the Baltic Sea

A day before it's time to go, I start packing a few things together.🩴👙🎒

Difficult if the last bike tour was more than 30 years ago.

Back then, in the 90s, my sister and I went from our former place of residence in Grömitz, Schleswig-Holstein, to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Greifswald to visit our grandma, who took care of us after a week of wild camping, including drug use and skinny dipping, a proper sunburn and sore muscles, and then fed us with home-cooked meals.

We actually wanted to repeat that someday?!🤔

Well, I'm testing it alone for now and getting myself in the necessary shape to be well prepared.

This time it's going from Hassel OT Wischer to Markgrafenheide. So from Saxony-Anhalt across Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.🌏

I'm still packing and realizing that you don't need that much. Smart cyclists gave me all sorts of tips in advance to get some equipment. From the leather-padded pants to gloves, ointment for the strained bottom, and even a brand new super bike.🙄

Those who know me... I like to make my own experiences... and I admit, I didn't take any of their advice except for the ointment.

My bike, bought on eBay Classifieds back then, is working. Period.

My padded pants are stupid. Tomorrow I will wear my old shorts made of jeans again.

Gloves are too tight.

It must be said that I don't ride 100 km a day either.

Gerald, my neighbor, pumps my tires up to 3.5 bar, adjusts my saddle correctly. His wife Rita helps me with a rain cape, made specifically for bikes.🧥

Afterwards, there's the obligatory after-work beer and then another half.🍻 😉
Afterwards, I lay my tired and slightly tipsy head on the pillow and in the night I think of some things that I don't want to do without. There are 6 things, so I remember the number 6 so that I don't have to get up separately.😅
Let's see if I can remember that.🙏🏼
On the day of my departure, I am actually awake before the alarm goes off. Unusual.
But I don't want to forget the things behind the number 6 under any circumstances. And it actually works.😅

I go swimming first, then there's a power breakfast of oatmeal with blackberries and nuts. Coffee, of course.☕️
My bike bags hang on both sides. Backpack and yoga mat also find their place in the back. Small stuff in the front. My bike helmet is also sitting in the front basket.😂 🚲

My first section of the journey is just over 40 km from Wischer to Klein Leppin, beyond Havelberg.🗺️
I say goodbye to my dear neighbors, do a few laps in front of my door for the photo, and off we go.🙋‍♀️

Did I mention, in the best bike weather of course.😎
I think. The road to Arneburg turns out to be very difficult. Headwind, the bike wobbles, probably overloaded.😆 In terms of strength, I am most likely starting at zero.0️⃣
Great, as my dad would say.
And when the first cyclist passes me, my motivation quickly drops.🚴‍♀️
By the end of the day, I realize that men in general overtake me and probably want to show me how great and vital they are. None of them come up with the idea of wishing me a good way or saying something like that. 🙄

It's different with women. The first word is exchanged at the same level.
That's exactly what happens in Dalchau. Kerstin from Dresden joins me.
She's really fast 🐒 and sets the pace. Of course, I don't want to fall behind and I keep up with her. While we're riding, we talk and I run out of breath. Thank goodness we've already reached the ferry in Sandau. That means a short break. Correction. A longer break, as the ferry is just arriving on the other side. Lucky me and recharged my energy.
Now it's only 5 km to Havelberg, and then our paths separate. She wants to visit churches, and I want to eat something first.
At the picturesque café, I have the most delicious banana curry soup I've ever eaten. I admit, I've never had one before.😉 Then a homemade ice cream. 🍧

Wow, I think, that's a great start for the first day of cycling.
Let's keep going. It's only 8 km to Glöwen. I pass by beautiful sunflower fields 🌻 and abandoned houses.
The Prignitz region is not densely populated.
I realize that when I continue from Glöwen through the forest to Klein Leppin. Unspoiled nature as far as the eye can see. I keep getting off the bike and taking photos. As beautiful as lonely paths may be, I don't need anyone coming towards me, I think.🤪
Then I reached my first destination, and even before 3:00 pm, the agreed time for the key handover at the old water mill.
Here, Catrina and Bernd fulfilled their dream 8 years ago to make something new out of something old. With a lot of idealism, hard work, and drive.
I am told the story of the house and served coffee in the old estate park. The cat 🐈 Frida welcomes me as well, and at this point, I have definitely arrived.🌸