Travel Scraps: Berlin by Bicycle

Jacek Polewski
Jul 20, 2017 · 4 min read

There is nothing more exhilarating than riding a bicycle on a runway. And it’s all possible thanks to Tempelhof airport, one of many Berlin’s sights symbolising not only the city’s strong historical links to the modern history but also its friendliness and openness.

Frankfurter Tor

The weather could not be more perfect so after a few days of staying in Berlin I decided to take up an offer of my hosts and jump on one of their bicycles to explore Berlin. My starting point was a Frankfurter Tor in East Berlin and for lack of any other ideas I headed down Warschau Strasse. The street is home to many small restaurants, cafes, bars and shops greatly symbolising the ‘Poor but Sexy’ status of Berlin. Whatever the definition of a ‘hipster’ you will definitively find a few of them there too.

Bicycle routes are not difficult to navigate as long as you more or less know where you’re going and I decided to follow signs to Treptower Park. It is a home to the Soviet War Memorial with its impressive monuments. It is also one of the many reminders of the most recent and complicated story of the country. You can get some rest by the nearby lake and, if you have some spare time, jump on one of the sightseeing boats.

The Soviet War Memorial at Treptower Park

It was time to move on and my next destination was Tempelhof Airport, formerly an active airport famous for its role in the blockade of West Berlin, now taken out of service and fully opened to the public. What a joy! If you’re a flying geek you will definitely enjoy riding (or running) along one of its runways (9 or 27 according to your preference — no clearance required) or simply pick any spot on the grass and relax.

Ready for a takeoff!

I decided to keep moving West. I did not have a GPS or a map but since it was 4pm I figured that as long as I follow the sun I should be (more or less) ok. It was also helpful that most of the bus stops were equipped with map so I could reorient myself when I fell completely in lost.

After navigating through the streets of Berlin I noticed a bus heading towards Berlin Zoo and my navigational confidence was totally restored. You can ride on bus lanes just be aware of your surroundings as you will most likely be passed by taxi drivers who share the same privilege.

And that’s how I ended up at Kudam Strasse. And it’s here that I always have to pause. This street, with its expensive brands and colorful displays, always bring back the memory of 1988 when with my parents and brother I visited West Berlin for the very first time. The Berlin Wall still existed. I texted my Mom to tell her where I was. “This time I can afford the ice cream” I added.

The trip was slowly coming to an end. I followed the signs to Potsdamer Platz, another impressive part of Berlin which 30 years ago was basically a field with a wall in the middle. If you look around closely you will find in a pavement a red line made of red bricks marking former location of the wall. Follow it and you will finally find yourself on the western part of the Branderburg Gate — probably the most famous landmark of Berlin.

The Brandenburg Gate - I somehow managed to squeeze this one in my disposable camera.

My legs were starting to get tired so I slowly rode along Unter den Linden, passing the embassy buildings, museums, university, Berliner Dom, Rathaus to finally reach the Fernsehturm (a.k.a. the TV Tower) and Alexander Platz.

As the sun was slowly setting down I was riding along Karl-Marx-Allee, a monumental socialist boulevard built in 1950s, looking in awe the monumental buildings lined up on both sides. No matter how many times I visit Berlin it never ceases to surprise me. I passed the Strausberger Platz with its fountains in the middle and finally I was back at the Frankfurter Tor just in time for a well deserved beer. Prost!

Dedicated to my parents. Berlin, 06.07.2017

)

Jacek Polewski

Written by

Bachelor of Arts. Master of Life.

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade