What an absolutely wonderful last day of our trip. We have a relatively short ride - 58 km - so can take it a bit easier in the morning. Our rooms won't be available until 3:00 anyway. Philipp is the sweep and rides with us all day. Weather is warm, sunny and beautiful. We are on busy roads but other times are on bike paths through the woods. The contrast between the two environments is striking. One minute we are wondering if that big truck we see behind us in our mirrors will manage to pass us and the next minute green trees arch over a beautiful bike path and make it look like a green tunnel with dappled sunlight filtering through. We are riding along the Havel River so we see lakes and boating areas. We stop for coffee at a very nice place right on the water at 30 km. We enjoy visiting with Philipp about East German history. We've learned so much on this trip. We stop for lunch in Werder a sizable town with lots of traffic. We ride on cobblestones for quite a distance. They are bone jarring! Our efforts pay off though. We ride onto a small island and have lunch at a place right on the water. Several of us have smoked fish which is delicious.
Traffic increases as we approach Potsdam. We ride through Sans Souci Park and palace, the domain of King Frederick II. The buildings are enormous and fancy! Potsdam is a wealthy city. It was a royal residence for Prussian kinds and the german Kaiser until 1918. King Frederick II from 1740 to 1786 was an interesting character. He was a military man, excessive in his tastes and lifestyle, yet interested in the arts, music, philosophy and literature. He modernized then Prussian bureaucracy and civil service.
We arrive at our hotel in a town square, turn in our trusty steeds and rack packs. We have ridden 760 km. Congratulations all around! We have been assigned the Presidential Suite at our hotel! It is beautiful and we don't want to leave the room. I immediately fill the tub with water and soak for a long time. What a special treat! We have our final dinner at a restaurant nearby.
The end of our tour. We have ridden 760 km!
King Frederick II's palace called Sans Souci
View from window of our suite
Sitting area in our suite
Our leaders - Jessica, Philipp, Michela
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