Hi everyone,

I don't write germany very well, so I write this in english. Hope that is okay

I'm a passionate biker from Denmark, and in the start of july this summer I will go to Berlin, with two things in mind:
1. Explore the community of bikers in Berlin, and touring-bikers (long distance bike journeys) in particular
2. Build my own touring bike from scratch.
After that, I'll start my summer vacation by bike - who knows where that will take me?

Why Berlin, you ask? Well, I've been there just a little, and it's a city that appeals to me. And, it's the capital of Germany, the capital country of touring bikers in the world!

Anyway, reason I'm posting here is because I'm looking for some pointers of direction, so that when getting to Berlin, I know where to go and who to talk to. Therefore, I got some questions, and if any of you can answer them or point me in the direction, I would be very happy. Thank you!

- Is there an organization for bike touring in Germany/Berlin, or some other community? (Got their website/e-mail/phone number?)
- Do you know of any bike workshops in Berlin, that are free/cheap to use?
- Any good places to buy used high-quality bike parts? In particular, I'll be looking for a steel frame fit for touring.

I've stumbled upon http://www.rad-spannerei.de and that looks like a place that fits my needs. However, I'll not be able to afford all new parts (probably), and I would like to build my bike myself.

Thank you for all your help! Looking forward to your input
// Morten

Und wieder ein Beitrag bei dem ich an meine Englischlehrerin denken muss. Sie hasste mich und schickte mich dauernt Kreide holen.

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irgendwas is immer,

Wäre ich Deine Deutschlehrerin gewesen, hätte ich Dich auch gehasst.

ok- radspannerei is a great collectively- operated bike shop to drop by.
u might wanna check out spinning wheelz on Torstrasse 70, courier operated, for advise reg. a frame.

i don't know bout touring communities. I'm a courier. urban cycling bein the thing i earn my money with.

self- help workshops:
http://www.refrat.hu-berlin.de/~hub/main.php (though they're slightly sexist.)

http://leslanternesrouges.blogsport.de/ (nice people. best place. Amen)

http://www.adfc-berlin.de/service/selbs ... statt.html (run by the slow- riding bike path and helmet advocates.)

jjsut my two cents, good luck.

Warste du immer Kreide holen weil dein Englisch nich gut ist oder is dein Englisch nicht gut weil du immer Kreide holen warst?

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O Berginen, O Berginen, von den Bäumen ess' ich ihnen.

Weder noch.

War mir vor 15 Jahren sicher daß ich niemals Englisch brauchen werde.
Tcha, Pustekuchen würd ich sagen.
Hätt ich nur, wär ich nur!

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irgendwas is immer,

Nur nicht verzagen. Solang das Gehirn noch nich rausgefallen ist, kann man sein ganzes Leben lang Dinge lernen.
Kenn ich allerdings nur vom Hörensagen. Getestet hab ichs noch nicht. Vielleicht kann ja jemand Erfahrungsberichte beisteuern.

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O Berginen, O Berginen, von den Bäumen ess' ich ihnen.

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this is the oldest you have ever been and the youngest you will ever be again

Welkom auch from mir!

_________________
www.bachblatt.de

Einzigartig, Intelligent, Wunderschön - halt Hallenser !

(zigge groeten u, ook)

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this is the oldest you have ever been and the youngest you will ever be again

Thanks a lot! Very helpful! I checked out Leslanternes Rouges, and it sounds like just the place for me. I'll check out Bike Aid Berlin as well, and the other workshops you mentioned too, if I have the time - just to see what's stirring on the bike front in Berlin. Might pop by Torstrasse 70 too

And thanks for the welcomes as well! I doubt my level of participation will be very high on this forum, I'm also a little restrcted on the language side of things, but I definitely feel welcome, and am sure that I'll have the same feeling in Berlin itself. Go bike communities, go!

If there are more tips out there, keep 'em coming! Especially tips on where to acquire cheap and quality used bike parts

Morten