Hi,

Can anyone help me plan a week of biking setting out from and returning to Berlin? I'm limited to about 1500km, as I'll be using a rental bike. I thought Poland might be interesting, but what are the roads like? Maybe the Harz mountains would be better?

Any tips or experiences most welcome!

Dave

Hello,

Roads are not to bad in Poland.

I know a campsite in Cieplice with a Dutch owner (Peter). Very clean, safe and he has also cabins if you like.
It's just an hour from the German border (Gorlitz).
Follow the road Gorlitz-Jelenia Gora.
When you enter Jelenia Gora, you pass a railroad tunnel. Make a right turn after the tunnel and follow de campsite-signs.
It's just a few kilometer from there.

As soon as I remember the name of the campsite, I place it on the 'bike friendly accomodation' site.

I've been there twice.

Freek

Former East Germany is a great place, quite rural, somewhat less expensive than what used to be West Germany. The Germans have poured massive amounts of money into the east for redevelopment, and it shows - all the cities are nice, bright, restored and renovated.

I toured all of Germany last year, and enjoyed the former DDR most of all.

Berlin is a huge city, I found it stressful, but I don't like cities to begin with and usually avoid them when I travel.

Poland is a very nice place, I rode through the southern part, along the mountains, last summer.

Good news: Lots of ATM's (they accept Western European bank cards), credit cards are accepted at just about every gas station (many of them, you just shove your card in the pump, just like in Paris or London), nice people, cheap food and lodging.

Bad News: Roads can be in poor condition and very rutted from heavy trucks along the major highways and major urban through-routes. Secondary roads are often better, more enjoyable, and have less traffic. Theft (of the motorcycle) is a major concern. Be sure it is parked in a secure, guarded location at night. If you stay in a B&B or pension, put it in the owner's garage and have the owner then part their car (or tractor) behind it, to prevent it from being stolen. If you have a rental motorcycle, I doubt that the insurance will allow you to take the bike into Poland - check this ahead of time.

DaveF:

I will be going into Poland (via Slovakia) August 15th for a week, do you plan to do your trip before or after that?

Michael

Poland is excellent, keep in mind the special driving style when overtaking (they expect you to move to the side, especially on a bike) but soon you'll get used to it...

I spent some time in the North of Poland, excellent beaches and camping!

Gozell:

Funny, I never came across the "special overtaking style" you mentioned - but then again, I was riding a ST1100 in a land where many of the cars are still Trabants, I don't think anyone overtook me the entire time I was there...

Michael

I am going back to the former East Germany and to Poland on my bike in a week (from August 10 to 20), is anyone else going around that time?

I posted about the floodings there in the

"Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road" - section

Have a look - might be very useful...

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb...ML/000123.html

P.S. It's still East Germany - as is the North, South and West ;-D

[This message has been edited by onlycookie (edited 27 August 2002).]