Heimatland Deutschland
Sightseeing Leipzig
12th September - 17th September | 2022
After breakfast, I headed off to Leipzig on Schimmelchen, and my mum to the train station to get a train to Leipzig, where we will meet later on, roughly 2.5 hours later.
On my way, I passed the famous porcelain town Meissen, but being with a loaded motorbike, some visits unfortunately I have to give it a miss.
In Leipzig, I drove first to the hotel next to the main train station. I did the check-in to leave already my luggage in the hotel room. The hotel recommended parking just across the street (even though that side of the main train station had some dodgy-looking faces around). When I was already pretty high up in the parking, the guard approached me and explained to me that this parking is not for motorbikes (has to do with the counting system and bikes are too light). He kindly recommended me the parking on the other side of the Avenida, which indeed had parking for motorbikes. Now just let's hope for the best that it is also a safe spot!
Later in the afternoon, we had a stroll through the centre. We already reserved a table for the next evening in the famous "Auerbach Keller"; Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote here his famous FAUST. On our way back we ended in the famous "Montagsdemo" of Leipzig. We both didn’t know that they are still on. Maybe some of you might recall it from the news prior to the reunion of East- & West Germany; every Monday in Leipzig the people came together at St. Nicholas Church for the prayer and afterwards the peaceful demonstrations - Monday for Monday until the border finally was open - WIR SIND DAS VOLK!
You see, Leipzig has a very interesting and famous recent history. And obviously, these "Montagsdemos" are still on; today it was about Corona and Lockdown. We guess it must have been between 1000-2000 people of all age classes participating. After the peaceful group came a really small not so peaceful-looking "AntiFa" group completely flanked by the Polizei. We listened to the speech for a while as it was pretty interesting; and thinking of the upcoming energy crisis (Hallo Northstream 2) and inflation, I think these demonstrations will become very popular again during winter.
The next day we had a fantastic 2 hours historical walk through Leipzig. What an interesting history as a trade city (fur from all over the world) in the past, as well with its famous musicians like Johann Sebastian Bach, Clara Schumann and Mendelsson-Bartholdy and of course Richard Wagner. Oh, and by the way, the founder of Leibnitz cookies was also born here ;-)
After that, it was time for trying the famous Leipziger Lerche (a speciality; sweet pastry filled with marzipan) outside of one of the well-known cafe shops. After visiting the St Nicholas Church it was time for our dinner at the "Auerbachs Keller", where we had a traditional "Rindsroullade mit Rotkohl und Klösse" - very delicious!
As the next day, raining, we did the sightseeing bus tour with a guide (like Hopp-on-Hopp-off). If you are ever in Leipzig, it is the yellow/blue busses! The (female) guide, was very good as she has grown up here, so she knows a lot and of course, she could tell some sayings in the typical dialect Sächsisch. The time of 2.5 hours flew by!
The next morning, I headed off towards Weimar and Erfurt, and my mum will go back home to Köln by train. In Weimar, I managed to get as close as possible to the centre, to get a picture of the famous boys of the town. And, if you are interested in history, here got announced the "Weimarer Republik" (the first german democratic after WWI).
On my way to Erfurt, I visited the War Memorial of Birkenau, another concentration camp during WWII.
I got a bit lost in the centre of Erfurt, and I guess I stretched the laws a wee bit ;-) but to watch pedestrians, traffic of cars and cyclists it makes it difficult to see road signs ;-) So I suddenly stood next to the famous Krämerbrücke ;-)
The next day I left early Eisenach, passed by at the Wartburg, but didn´t get in as I had a long day riding to do. I also wanted to swing by at SW mototech in Rauschenberg to get the sidestand extension as I really got fed up of using my already battered gloves and then finding a stone or strong twig.
Passing over the peaks of Westerwald it got down to 7C - brrrr - combined with rainshowers! Autumn has arrived!
Late afternoon I finally arrived at Stephan, whom I met at the MRT-Giebolderhausen. He is so kind to help me to get the overdue oil exchange done. And the rest of the evening it was, of course, chatting about motocycle adventures and tours!
The next morning I went with him to the local market and then it was time to finish off the little jobs on Schimmelchen. Unfortunately we discovered that my wheel bearings on the rear are coming to their end (last time checked in Estland). And now!?! We both scratched our heads as he hasn’t got the tools to help me here and I don’t know anybody. I suddenly had a brain wave and asked in the Whatsapp group of my old school mates (as I requested a reunion) as I know there are some bikers.
After saying Good-bye to Stephan (Thank you for everything!) I drove the short distance into Köln to meet my mum on our doorstep. By that time I already had an appointment next week in Solingen for changing the bearings! Wow, that was mega-efficient!
My mum had a garage place arranged for the stay here, so after all was upstairs, I took Schimmelchen to the garage.
I had to stretch again the law, as I couldn’t get to it due to road work. Luckily police was only there, when I was walking back home! I finally made use of the Bolt-app and drove home with an e-bike :-D
Have a glass of Sekt on my arrival at my German home! Soon you will find out what I have done during my stay, so watch this space :-D
In the meantime in the Algarve, Portugal, James started to look into freight fares for his bike to Canada (planned for summer 2023), and it looks very bad! It looks like, we have to look into alternatives as far out of the budget! So if someone has a really good source, please do not hesitate to contact us!
Places | Cities:
Meissen, Leipzig, Jena, Weimar, Birkenau, Erfurt, Eisenach, Rauschenberg, Altenkirchen, Overath, Köln.
Driven km | Trip:
Total | Steffi: 27130 km
Maintenance | Breakdown:
Oil exchange done by Stephan - Thank you!!
Health issues:
./.
Special thanks to:
The two fantastic guides we had in Leipzig - they made history interesting!
Stephan for looking after the well-being of my bike and me.
Dino for the secure garage space in Köln; pity you were on holidays!