| How would you like to bicycle in Germany? When Jane heard the question, her immediate answer was "When do we leave?" On June 4, 1999, we joined a group of 15 cyclists headed to Pinneberg, Germany, a suburb of Hamburg. Pinneberg is the "sister city" of Rockville, Maryland. The Rockville Department of Recreation and the Rockville Sister City Corporation organized the tour with ten days of bicycling and sightseeing. |
Members of the German American Society greeted us Friday morning at the
Hamburg airport with roses and champagne. In Pinneberg we met our host
families and posed for a group picture in front of the city hall. The
German American Society and our host families in Pinneberg made us all
feel right at home. They provided us with wonderful receptions, dinners,
entertainment, tours, and bicycle rides. |
We had no time for jet lag, as Saturday morning we were off by train to
Hamburg. Thanks to our guide Inge Giessel we had an interesting tour of
Hamburg, including the Rathaus and Hauptkirche St. Michaels. After lunch
at the Feesmuseum cafe, we walked around the arboretum, stopping to take a
picture in the rain. |
Sunday was our first of six days of bicycling.
The rides were well planned and led by Michael Hauser, Hans Georg Beplat,
and Inge and Reimer Eck. Helping them lead the rides was Charlie Denney,
the Bicycle Specialist for the City of Rockville.     
The daily rides were about 65 kilometers (40 miles), giving us plenty of
time to see the sights along the River Elbe and in and around Hamburg. |
 
The Germans and Americans enjoyed cycling together. In Germany,
people bicycle for transportation and convenience, as well as exercise and
recreation. Because of city planning that has considered bicycling, it is
easy to travel by bike. Many Germans use their bikes to run errands and
get to work or school. |
   
On Sunday morning, Inge and Reimer Eck led our first ride. A highlight of
the ride was a visit to an arboretum. The Pinneberg Mens Choir welcomed us
with song. This group will be singing in Rockville this October. This
Sunday morning they sang "Happy Birthday" to Gary Twedt, one of
our group and wearing the blue jacket in the picture. |
  
Monday's ride was led by Michael and Anke Hauser. Our first stop was at
the church in Haselau. We then cycled along the dikes of the Elbe River,
sharing the path with sheep and a tractor. We stopped at the Welcome
Point, or "Willkomm-Hoft," in Wedel, near Hamburg on the river
Elbe. There we had afternoon coffee and dessert while watching ships
passing to or from the port of Hamburg. Welcome-Point greeted each ship by
dipping the Hamburg flag and playing the national anthem of the
ship's home country. |
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The ride Tuesday morning to Hamburg-Ohlstedt
was led by Michael Hauser. We had the option of cycling or taking the
train to the starting point. Michael was joined on the cycling option by
Charlie, Jane, Tom, and Jim. The others arrived at the starting point by
train at the same time as the rain.    
In spite of the drizzle, we cycled through a beautiful park before
stopping for lunch at the Ratsmuhle Restaurant. Hans Georg Beplat
led us back along the river Alster. We ended the day with drinks together
at the Pinneberg bowling alley. |
| Wednesday we took a break from bicycling and went by train to the city of Lübeck with Hanna and Gerhard Lanz, Charlie's host family and our tour leaders for the day. We walked around the Old Town and saw many buildings from the 13th century. Frau Lanz had grown up in Lübeck and remembered the night in 1942 when 8,500 bombs were dropped there, destroying more than a fifth of the historic buildings. We lunched at the historic seamen's restaurant, the Schiffer. We toured the city hall, took a sightseeing boat around the city, and had tea and marzipan at Niedereggers. |
  
Thursday morning we were back on our bicycles for a two-day overnight trip
to Glückstadt. Michael Hauser was again our leader, taking us from Wedel
across the Elbe by ferry, and then down the river to the city of Stade. We
took a walking tour of the town's historic buildings and winding streets,
before having a picnic lunch. |
  
Thursday afternoon we continued our bicycle trip down the river until a
ferry crossing of the Elbe took us to Glückstadt. Glückstadt is renown
for its matjes, or herring. That evening we stayed at the Hotel &
Restaurant Raumann and feasted on matjes, and many other delicacies. |
  
Friday morning we cycled by Glückstadt's harbor, stopping to take a few
pictures. Inge Eck was our leader again, taking us to more interesting
places, the most scenic and fragrant of which was the Rosarium at Uetersen.
Sorry I didn't get some pictures there, as the roses were so beautiful. |
Driving the bright orange truck provided by the city of Pinneberg,
Friedhelm Skroblin was always close-by to provide rest stops and SAG
(support and gear) wagon. One afternoon we setup tables and benches from
the truck in an apple orchard and had tea, coffee, and homebaked cakes.
Friday evening we returned to Pinneberg where we dined on Bavarian food
and drank German beer at the Obatsda Restaurant. |
   
After a free day with our host families, Sunday was our last day of
bicycling together. About twenty-five Germans joined the 15 Americans for
the afternoon. Jane and I were joined by our host Michael Detjens on his
bike. We biked to Hamburg-Blankensee on the river Elbe for afternoon
dessert at the Leuchturm Restaurant. We returned to Pinneberg and finished
our 372 km (227 mi) of bicycling around Pinneberg. As a token of our
appreciation to Michael Hauser for "keeping us in line," Charlie
presented Michael a hand-made leather whip. Michael, and the other ride
leaders, worked hard so that 15 Americans could have an unforgettable
bicycle tour of Pinneberg, and we are very grateful to them. |
We thank those who supported and assisted with
this tour:
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| The Germans spoke much more English than we did German. We appreciate George Albrecht, an RSCC director, for taking three evenings to tell us what to expect in Germany and teach us some essential German phrases |
| We especially thank the people of Pinneberg who took strangers into their homes and for ten days took care of us and made us feel very welcome. |
| August
12, 1999 url: http://www.ohbike.org/trips/germany/index.html home page: Oxon Hill Bicycle & Trail Club e-mail to: info@ohbike.org |
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