Tuesday 7 August

Dornburg to Barleber See

Simon was carrying all his gear in two rear panniers whereas I was using front panniers as well. Cedric was just carrying less gear. Due to the weight of Simon's bags his rear pannier carrier had snapped. Fortunately as we cycled through Pritzien just a few minutes after setting out we came across a cycle shop where he was able to get a replacement. Half an hour later he suffered a broken spoke in his rear wheel. We crossed the river and made our way into Magdeburg, asking where there was a bicycle repair shop. Eventually we got directions and made our way there. They said they could put in a new spoke and true the wheel but it would not be ready until four o'clock. There was nothing we could do but wait, getting some lunch at a local café and twiddling our thumbs. Simon took the opportunity to buy some new cycling shorts. His wheel was ready by half past five so we cycled through Magdeburg to the nearest campsite at Berleber See, a large and well appointed site between two water sports lakes with sandy beaches. We swam when we arrived, had a good meal and a beer before turning in.