FOREVER TWO WHEELS

[katesaysftw]

Lost in Brandenburg II

Sweet memories of our last trip end of April last year to an almost abandoned manor somewhere in Uckermark. A 150km fixed gear trip of two friends through the romantic landscapes of Brandenburg.

It took me while to cut the video because of this and that – buuh! but now it’s even more lovely to remember these days 💕

[katesaysftw]

Lost in Brandenburg II

Today, while I was sitting in my kitching drinking my third cup of coffee and planning some winter adventures, I remembered this sweet trip I made with Tamara end of April this year.

We both wanted to flee the traditional dance into May (which is quite stressful in Berlin when you’re living in the main areas) and instead go on a bike trip. So on a Saturday early in the morning we made our way through Brandenburg to Prenzlau, passed beautiful lakes, flowery fields and rode 150km up to North on empty country roads and forrest roads (still stoked about the amazing route we took). If you’re familiar with Brandenburg’s landscapes you can probably feel our excitement and ease about the wide range and the beauty of nature, just a few kilometers out of the capital.

After 8 hours with lots of snacks, photo breaks and good talk we arrived at our house in a small village somewhere next to Prenzlau. It felt kinda creepy with all these old houses around us which looked more abandoned than alive. And like most of the day there was no human in sight, except a boy on his bike riding circles infront of the old farm. Luckily it was just the host’s son and so the whole family welcomed us warm. The house was rustic but cosy, with lovely old furniture mixed with modern interior. Destroyed but happy we cooked a well-deserved dinner and curled under sheets in front of the warm crimson.

The weather was good to us, so on the next day we decided to stay a little longer to enjoy the sun and wonderful garden in the backyard, drinking coffee and braiding flower crowns, later exploring the area around the farm. At noon, happy and satisfied but also a bit sad we had to leave, we rode to Prenzlau and took the train back home.

This trip showed me once again that adventure doesn’t have to be far away, it waits right infront of your house. You just need your bike and a destination... or maybe not. Just go outside. Enjoy life.

[shethirtysix]

Here is a helpful list of Berlin Workshops where you can fix your bike using all the neccessary tools and meet new friends. Don’t forget to donate or bring some bicycle parts.

Bike Kitchen (Weißensee) https://bikekitchennortheast.wordpress.com/

ADFC (Mitte) http://adfc-berlin.de/service/selbsthilfewerkstatt.html

Hubschrauber (Mitte) http://www.refrat.hu-berlin.de/hubschrauber/

Unirad (Kreuzberg/ Regenbogenfabrik) http://unirad.blogsport.de/

Mädchenfahradwerkstatt (Kreuzberg) http://www.mfw-berlin.de/

Fahradcontainer (Kreuzberg) http://www.2wheels4change.com/wordpress/de/bicycle-container

[katesaysftw]

A ride through time.

I ride through time, Stretching it out with surreal distortion, I ride for freedom, I am immortal, freedom from the fear of death, I push myself to the limit of my mortal frame, then transcend that human pain, enter into that fourth dimension.

My wheels no longer touch the ground, they’re floating on passionate effort, a whole hearted singleminded effort, the rhythm of a perfect circle, a pulsing rhythm that rises above the worlds woes.

Movement brings freedom.

Unfettered yet fitting in perfectly, unconventionaly conventional, an independant form of movement.

I know exactly how far I have traveled, I can feel how far I have moved.

Allow the spirit of your surroundings feed your movement, the harder I push the more I merge with my surroundings, my aim is to reach that point of effortless movement, turbo boosted blood pumping round my muscles, my spirit is one with my body, brain, muscles and spirit in total harmony, producing a pure singleminded effort, human body, trees, mountains rivers,spirits and bike.

Carlo Castelvecchi. May 2002

[katesaysftw]

sweet summer memories from June this year <3 together with my favorite girl gang @shethirtysix we celebrated my 33rd birthday on a beautiful sunny day out in the fields of Berlin’s abandoned airport Tempelhof. it was hella fun! still brings a huge smile on my face thinking of it :)

[katesaysftw]

This is me, suffering hard during my very first criterium last saturday. I lost the leading group really quick, was on my own most of the time and about to give up just after round 5 - another 15 to go. The race was tough and my fight against the wind, my legs and that damn hair pin turned more out to be a war against myself. I struggled hard, couldn't stay focused and went from "Wtf am I doing here?", "Stay calm! Just breathe!" and "Fuck it! I quit!" But somehow I didn't. I fought every single round, spurred from all the lovely cheers, but sadly lost the battle against the pacemaker in round 18. But anyway! It was fun! Although I finished 15th from 25 really strong ladies, I'm satisfied with myself. I won the war against myself, my inner bastard which was ready to give up after a few rounds and always let me find a hundred of bad excuses not to go on. I'm still stuck on that feeling and I'm sure there's hell of a lot more potential and power sleeping in me. It's all just a matter of focus. Thank you to all of the shouters and supporters during the race. It was awesome! And thank you for the lovely feedback I got after the race. It really means a lot to me 💜 📸 #1 Paul Berg - Thx! / #2 I'm with panda / #3,4 Tobi Fxd fwd

[katesaysftw]

The day it all started. 

A year ago I decided to rebuild my old single speed to a fixed gear bike without ever testing one. I was just fascinated by the simplicity and the other way to cycle every time I saw someone riding fixed on the streets. 

A friend helped me to set up my old steel frame, but after that I was on my own, no one there to show me how to brake or even to ride safe. So I watched several YouTube Videos and did my first baby steps but wasn't satisfied because I didn't really understand how to do a proper skid and I was just too scared of losing control while cycling through traffic. 

Wondering if there are any other girls with the same problem or super girls who can teach me tricks and how to brake, I looked up for fixed girls in Berlin on Facebook and found Tamaras Group @shethirtysix. After days of struggling I finally had the guts to ask Tamara if I can join their trick meeting and a few days later we met at Gleisdreieck. Tamara was super nice and showed me how to skid and how I practice a track stand. After we tricked a while (I got really frustrated about never being able to track stand), we rode to a small vegan coffee shop and talked about life and cycling. I felt so welcomed that I truly knew this could be a really special friendship. So we met again. And again. And again. And now, after a year of so many little adventures and fun, I am so psyched being part of the coolest girl gang in Berlin and never ever want to miss cycling with these girls. 

Tamara, thank you! You're one of the strongest, inspiring and most lovely persons I've ever met. Hope our friendship will last forever or at least a loong looooong time.  

(c) photos by Tamara

[katesaysftw]

“Cycling can be lonely, but in a good way. It gives you a moment to breathe and think, and get away from what you're working on.” – David Byrne

One month ago I decided to step out of my comfort zone and start my first all alone with myself bike trip through Brandenburg. It might not be that far from Berlin, but far enough to leave the city noise behind and to get lost in these forlorn but beautiful landscapes.

I lodged myself in a small cabin somewhere near Heiligengrabe, which a friend recommended me highly. It turned out it’s one of the most beautiful and inspiring places I’ve ever been, with it's old furniture and the spooky oven next to the bed while hundreds of wild gooses fly by and the wind blows around the roof. Enough room to get lost in your own mental space and just relax.

4 days are far too little get fully recovered, but even those short trips gives energy for new doings. So grab your bag, go out, cycle and get lost! 

Next trip end of February.

[katesaysftw]

currently out of order January 2016

[katesaysftw]

One thing that cycling has taught me
 is that if you can achieve something without a struggle it’s not going to be satisfying.

Greg LeMond

[katesaysftw]

Some moods of our regular SHE36 trick meeting in November, one of the last warm autumn days - thanks to global warming. If you follow me on Instagram you might know that spending time with these girls is always special to me. We’re all on a different levels but working hard to improve our skills with the same love and passion. While Tamara is still struggling with cycling backwards and Sandra trying to track stand, I am working on my first wheelie for a few weeks now but failed so far.  New year, new chance. Join our trick meeting this Friday afternoon in Berlin. For more information follow our SHE36 Insta. #doatrick