As previously mentioned, the Institute is around the corner from nowhere. Travel there, even from Potsdam, usually takes more than one mode of transportation and more than 30 minutes. My location to the east of Potsdam lengthens my commute by at least 15 minutes and adds another mode of transport.
Much to my delight, I was given a bicycle on loan. For the duration of my stay, I have a much preferred method of commuting. It's over 13 km each way, and takes me a good 45 minutes on the rather hefty bicycle pictured above. Since there are no other ways I can anticipate exercising, except perhaps by lifting hefty beer mugs to my lips, the length of ride and heft of bike are probably necessary evils.
As expected, the town is prepared for cyclists. My entire route consists of paths or bike lanes, and I am almost always in good company on my bicycle. I begin my travel in the small town of Babelsberg, encountering treacherous hazards just outside my front door. (See "Paris -Roubiax".) Smooth road awaits in just a few blocks, and then it's fifteen minutes of riding to the Potsdam Haubtbanhof. Over the bridge (Potsdam is an island!), past the reconstruction site of the old palace (read "hole in the ground"), and 10 minutes of city riding put me in Park Sanssouci.
Past the New Palace, a few more cobbled hazards, and I'm onto a 2 km path that runs between the western edge of Potsdam and the small town of Golm. Apparently the path is less than ideal on rainy days, but I avoid the ride on rainy days so hopefully I will never know!
The winter was long and cold for the people in northern Germany, but spring is coming and each day seems the perfect day for a ride into work.
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