Day 41: Mon 28 Jul - Bad Belzig to Potsdam, 59km

14-22 deg C, rain, quite heavy at times until about 1pm, then overcast, then sunny in the late afternoon

Ride: 59km; total time: 5h36

Ride total G: 1,272km

Ride total W: 1,256km

Walk G: 4km; total: 317k 

Walk W: 4km; total: 282km

Awoke to the pitter patter of rain this morning, not the sound you want to hear if you’re going riding. As we only had 59km to our next destination we could afford to wait. So we had our Indian leftovers and a cuppa, slowly, but it was still raining steadily. Checked the train situation to Potsdam but it meant changing trains a few times which can be a pain with loaded bikes. 

The forecast said that the rain would ease off a bit later, and about 9am it did look a bit more promising. So we bit the bullet, loaded up and headed out. About an hour later after riding in lightish rain the sky sort of opened. By this stage we were in the middle of nowhere without anywhere to hide. Eventually we arrived at a little place called Trebitz where some nice person had built a lovely bus shelter beside the bike path. We drank our brews to go in order to warm up, as by this time the cold was getting into Greg’s bones, which are fairly close to the surface of his skin. 

After about 30 minutes of good rain it just about stopped, so off we went again. Because we didn’t know what facilities were up ahead we stopped at the Netto supermarket at Brük and purchased some lunch for ‘Ron’. Now Greg was really feeling cold, so in addition to the three layers he had on, he applied another two. Finally he was warm! 

We headed out again, keeping an eye out for a nice place to eat our newly acquired lunch. It took us a while. We were making good time and cycling through forests on mainly beautiful bitumen paths so we weren’t worried. Finally found a shelter in one of the forests and settled in for lunch. It was great timing as not long after arriving, our friend the rain caught up to us. We just relaxed and enjoyed being in a nice warm, dry place. Even had enough room for the bikes. We suspect that Greg even had a few minutes kip. 

Once the rain cleared we continued on towards Potsdam, not wanting to stop for much as the black clouds in that direction were looking a bit ominous. However we didn’t see anymore rain and were checked into room #3209 about 3pm. 

After a lovely hot shower, some washing and laying out all the wet stuff to dry, actually most had already dried, we went for a wander into the old city area, which is about 1km away. One little job we had to do before going for our dinner wander, was go down into the underground car park to clean and oil the bike chains. We don’t want them going rusty on us. 

Potsdam looks promising and maybe it deserves a third night. As we haven’t yet booked Berlin, our next stop, we could go the extra night no problem. 

We are both a little weary tonight; riding in the rain certainly is more tiresome than riding in nice bright sunshine that’s for sure. We don’t think we’ll be going out on the town tonight.  

Mornos stop

Note the socks and gloves trying to dry on the end of the bench

Getting ready to leave Trebitz, after a hot cuppa and half a muesli bar each, the last one Wendy has had carried all the way from home!

Our lunch stop in a pathside shelter, it was quite warm inside

Some of wet paths we rode today

Lovely paths through the forests - imagine the mess if these were dirt!

Wendy trying to not overthink the crossing - had to walk along the concrete on the right (her left), hop on the bike before the concrete ended and pedal out! Easy in the end, but way worse when you are actually there.

Dorint Hotel Potsdam, #3209

A much welcome sight. 

Our view

Front of the hotel

Ride route and stats

We went down to oil the chains this afternoon before going for a dinner walk, and this was the bike park in the hotel car park; there were only half this number when we checked-in. Just shows how popular bike touring is. We suspect most of these bikes are on an organised tour as they didn’t have enough luggage. 

Jägertor Potsdam, an historical landmark

The gate Jägertor, built in 1733, is the only one of a total of seven city gates that has been preserved in its original form. Today, it adorns Potsdam’s Hegelallee. This avenue was laid out in the early 19th century and was renovated for the Federal Garden Exhibition in 2001. The gate’s decorations and figures depict a scene from the once highly popular par force hunt and symbolise the hunting passion of Frederick William I.

A restaurant specializing in shteaks, oh we mean schnitzels

Church of Saints Peter and Paul

Administrative Court of Potsdam

A nice looking building near our hotel

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