Wheelies again and again
- #37 The Dentist
- Apr 4
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 4
It simply can't be done without - from The Dentist # 37
Cycling saved my life. It's simply the most demanding, most beautiful, and most insane sport, and it all depends on how you organize the ride: a short commute turns into a short sprint, a race with friends turns into a relaxing coffee run, boredom turns a nice little ride into a stage of the Tour de France. But no matter which of these routes I take, peace of mind immediately sets in. You pedal, and the switch is flipped.
A normal working day is now unthinkable for me and simply too monotonous.
Cycling in Berlin initially served as a form of exercise. I was a chef, and variety became extremely important. Back then, long before the coronavirus pandemic, I needed this balance. I bought a folding bike at the flea market at Ostbahnhof one Sunday and set off.
I was immediately hooked. The combination of warm summer nights, a few after-work beers (alcohol-free, of course, wink emoji) , the quiet Klappi (a quiet car), and the beautiful Berlin skyline at night made for wonderful rides home. At the time, I lived near Yorckstraße and had to commute home from work at Hackescher Markt. As a newcomer to Berlin, these warm summer nights are a whole different experience. Everything is lively and loud, the streets are bustling, and my grin is invincible.
I desperately needed a faster bike because my need for speed was so great. Of course, it was an old steel horse called the Monza, of course, I'd been ripped off, and of course, the bike was a piece of junk, but at least it was significantly faster, and I was completely hooked. The gears were shifted on the down tube, without an index. That taught me something new. It didn't work so well at first, but it's fun when the chain rattles on the cassette, creating a lovely acoustic atmosphere. I'm now a trained mechanic, bike courier, track frame enthusiast, and all sorts of other things. When I'm not doing that, I'm rescuing people from crashing planes or bringing cats back from the moon. But more on that soon in Part 2.
Bicycle courier "The Dentist # 37" is part of the bicycle courier service CROW, which replaces cars with cargo bikes and thus contributes to improving the quality of life in the city. This sustainable courier service also promotes a collaborative approach. More information at crowberlin.de
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