This region is one of the most sparsely populated in the country from here its just 15 kilometers to the river elbe. Biking is becoming more and more popular especially for touring and thats no wonder really or can you think of a more spontaneous way of getting around you can take turns and detours wherever you like you can stop where every fancy so naturally im really excited about todays trip along the elbe river about the scenery and about how many kilometers im actually going to get to ride before my legs get up. Also on the show but i was told to trip on the river elbe on an old apple steamer. And staying by the water our weekly v mail comes from psystar kind of a holiday whos been skateboarding by the pacific. Globe trotters steve painted has been in terror on and brought back some striking footage. Think. The elbe river is 1200 kilometers long so of course i wont cover all of it but im planning to bike about 80 kilometers today they have a calming me on earth towards the northeast but before we start to follow it for a bit ive got a little overview for you guys so you can get an idea of the twists and turns the river has taken up to here. When the elbow crosses the check border it already has almost 400 kilometers behind it. In germany the river 1st winds through the region known as sex in switzerland among sandstone outcrops and tabletop hills past the regions main landmark. The 19th century bust i preach. The next highlights from the album is dressed in the style on sex and its capital attracted artists and travelers from the early 1900 centuries. It off as a rock but never since with from cash at the church of our lady. The royal palace. And the 7 houses. Just 30 kilometers down river is the town of meissen with this distinctive cathedral and casa. This is where august is the strong found at the 1st european porcelain factory in 1710. The river has also. Spied Landscape Architects as can be seen in the death cell for lets garden realm along the middle. Created in the late 18th century by the duke of and how to solve this landscape park has been a unesco World Heritage site since 2000. Its equestrian statue of all to the great is in marketable of the citys 1200 years old the oldest on the elbow. Its striking landmark is its cathedral an early example of gothic architecture in germany the cathedral contains the choom of off to the 1st emperor of the holy roman empire. From here its a 100 kilometers down river to the next destination. My 1st stop is a debt a socalled stork village in northwestern brandenburg every year more than 30 breeding pairs hatch and raise their young here this year it was over 102. 00. I want to know why so many come here thats why im meeting up with young halfback he grew up by the elbow and works as a ranger. Work on the wiring in the locals love the stork so much they invest a lot of effort into making the storks feel at home each year dumping it in starting with the south. Its not just the locals who love stuart storks bring good luck. Baby you bring out when babies theres a reason for that. The stork seed proximity to humans because they need civilization and they find their food on cultivated land on be deafened of which i dont want so because of that in the work people do on farms theres a close bond with the storks. Or not to it because they build their nests on roofs theyre said to bring babies least it isnt here and rushed it for 35 years ago we had more returning storks than we had nests and they competed fiercely for those that were there or and then 3 or 4 young men got together and said ok well do something about it. Because its an obvious off well set up new nests tomorrow. From one day to the next and im talking from one day to the next i dont get the decision took place in the pub with that loose group of 4 men became the stork club thats was on the people from rushed it who promoted the store population here in the village with nests if they also made sure there was enough food for the birds as their numbers increased. When we were pioneers in many ways why theyre. Giving explains to me that the storks return to their nests every year and that they have a pretty progressive division of labor. How long do they need to get their nests in shape ok country goes quite a bit if its well prepared when they return the mail finishes the nest and waits for the female and if all goes well shell come a few days later and they made during the 1st week yes then she starts laying eggs. It all takes 14 days and then they both sit on the eggs and on simply i dont have them yet. Storks invented gender equality they both incubate them. They take turns in a specific rhythm and they both feed the young in a specific rhythm. Most of. The reserve has more to offer than storks for decades the elbow formed part of the border between east and west germany the surrounding countryside remain largely untouched. The most severe reserve along the elbe it is the largest protected river floodplain in germany. It stretches from the state of section the undervote through brandenburg and lower saxony. In lower saxony honest retailer is in charge of running the reserve. Hes followed developments here since 2005. When youre not. On this is when we consider the flood plain here its fantastic to see unexpected increases in certain species. Have returned river all to stocks have recovered and there are a focal speaks again. The white tailed eagles nest here and so to about 40 breeding pairs of cranes weve managed at least to keep whites numbers stable. Those phenomena really please us feel mean of the. Beavers were virtually eradicated here in the 1900 century now theyve returned to the elder. The riverside also provides rich pickings for white fridays. The Biosphere Reserve is a habitat for a total of 300. 00 different bird species. Floodplain is a model region promoting the coexistence of nature protection tourism and farming widely differing interests to reconcile. Farmers like tim russian bear and whose fields lie within the Biosphere Reserve have to make compromises. He has to accept that so many birds visit his farm that he can no longer use his grass for fodder. To compensate for the conservation measures he receives financial support. You know his preacher is delighted that tourists have discovered the region. They may be birdwatchers or just passing through on the cycle route. All those visitors are part of the Success Story of the old the valley Biosphere Reserve. As a teenager i spent lots of time here and dreamed it would be a nature reserve and being in charge of it now has fulfilled my dream. My next stop 25 kilometers further on back along the elbow youll find not only pristine nature but also industrial monuments. The sewing machine factory in the back it was built in 1903 by the american Singer Company 3000 people used to work here. In a fan how does fit in baggies industrial past contribute to its present charm. And thats if we take the sewing machine factory for instance. Where we have industrial architecture that ranges from the early to the mid 20th century. And most of the people who come here to visit and know the name singer and say we really must take a look at this. And when they come most of them are impressed by the size of the complex and the different styles of architecture here. That interest people and its well worth seeing. The towns main landmark is here on the complex the clock tower from 1928 is still the biggest of its kind in germany. The Industrial History of it and back it began in the 19th century with this oil mill. Cats and what led to this early prosperity. In 823 a man called solomon have scame here he established a grain trading business and used the profits to build an oil mill. And he built it here in witan because he found the location favorable. Then an 846 the railway was built and he used his influence to make sure it passed through. So modern transportation trains together with the waterways made the town so attractive that other companies also settled here. The former oil know at least has found a new use as a hotel and cafe with a beautiful sun terrace the Perfect Place for a short break. And every time you guys get the chance to check in with our globe trotters steve painted he and a friend went on a sightseeing tour of. Haryana came back with some amazing insights into life in the arena in capitals to free itself. From iraq me and my buddies we just heard and its sincere and and well be discovering a brahmin next few weeks to get to where we know this is the asahi monument its one of the most iconic buildings see and here im still lets dive in and explore tehran together. To ronnies the capital of the country with a population of about 15000000 the last straw if you run commissioned the azadi or Freedom Tower to mount the persian empire state 1500 tonne of personally. I love the symmetry of things. And here is where you promise to take to make sure you have a pretty good system it is just about a few cents aneurysms. Another must bring in to run its ecologist and those which literally means the palace of flowers because of the beautiful gardens you have inside. For some it might be surprising how modern iran and especially to run is a good example of that is the sheer amount of coffee shops you can find really good places a. Good spot to go and fight is to say here street away from families and families and put in place for the. First time to be typically. When its a very difficult place and we want to mention a vision which has come up and this is. Just kind of it pretty soon. As iran is located on the cisco trading business always played a major role till today to many around this is why you should visit spirit week by society in tehran which is a true maze of more than 7 Kilometers Per Hour he does. When he was a crank as i also needs to buy some steam so we got some maps for. Our friend from tehran took us up here to the roof of cheer on where you can enjoy the beautiful view of the city and this is what were going to do. Thats another cold thing you can do in tehran is raised down to touch up on this right. So you wonder if i let fear of to tell you there are 2 options if you dont have my legs to tell your friends to run the seal around tyrangiel they invite you today and it might be a little story makes a barbecue with friends and feel a little pulled off an ice chest that is going to follow the color of this its really recommendable. Here i am back again im the eldest cycle route this time with company who but some effect is going to explain to me why this part of the album has a Bad Reputation and why changes were made after disastrous floods. The autonomy the place where were standing is said to be treachery. Why is that you know is it a bruise although its treacherous because right in front of us the elbow makes a 90 degree bend. And when theres a flood that can be disastrous for the levee were standing on. And that is when a large amount of water surges straight at the levee it can break. So fortunately a new one has been built behind us that holds the water back despite that doesnt offer that ok this is the original dike and the one over there is the new one. Is on this and its also slightly higher than the old one just to make sure. Takes me to an old east german border watch tower and offers a great view of the meadowlands created by moving the dike back. Then as now were on the lensman floodplain whats so special here as a year into the god behind us we see part of a 110. 00 head and tears of forest theyve been planted to restore the typical natural landscape here like the large metal lands right behind. Me and it was young one here dick was invited into whats special is that the intake of water from the elba that flows through the old elba levee constantly provides nutrients to the plants restoring the dynamic course of the river. Well we hope that its some point it will once again look the way it used to. Move on. My bike when they turned against me literally im fighting heavy headwinds im 60 kilometers into my trip and desperate for a break. Find a number of old farmhouses like these many of them are now restaurants are hotels im going to spend the night in this one. And while i get my legs so my well deserved rest you guys get to check our mailbox its time for our weekly the mail our viewer psystar from columbia send us a video of his trip to california he traveled down the Pacific Coast of the golden state on his skateboard enjoy. Once upon. A shadows this would be the most bizarre came out of playing. Live face to face with. A one day well see. The tag leaves a. Bad. Mom. I slept like a log and im already raring to go but 1st i need to get everyone really worked up an appetite cycling certainly gets you back to basics. And now im off again cycling can also be addictive no noise no cars besides i only have 20 kilometers left to cover on my 2nd day. Like this are also part of the elvis cycle route there are no bridges for long stretches of the river here so you have to cross it by sorry. Land knowing. If youre getting curious about the elder and the nature and tranquility that surrounds it but arent that much of a bicycle buff ive got just the tip for you you can also discover the river without moving a finger on a story had. Time to swell the decks and get everything shipshape the old kaiser bill home is often a river cruise. Good morning leave your money in your pockets well do all that later on during the trip. Folder which are 1st worked on the paddle steamer Kaiser Wilhelm at the age of 15 as a cabin boy. Thank. Stoker is in charge of lowering the funnel. Theres a bridge to negotiate on the 20 kilometer route from. The paddle steamer travels at about 10 kilometers an hour. Kept in huge tankers for years when he got his boat master significant back in 1905 the Kaiser Wilhelm was already an old sea dog. All of your senses and your hand is on the wheel. From the riverbed are transmitted via the whale. That may sound silly but you really do notice whether theres enough water under the boat and with the new technology all you have is a joystick and you dont notice anything. The steamer was launched in dresden on may the 20th 1900 phone for the visitor in northwestern germany. On that trip there were also tourists on board enjoying the scenery. Stoking the boiler was a back breaking job back then and its still its. Very crowded we shovel a 150 kilos an hour here what used to be called 300 weight. Whether were travelling or standing still we have to fight all the. Because a real home has been plying the waters for more than a century 1st on the river days or a no on the elbow. And if the ships a volunteer crew has anything to say about it it will continue to do so for many years to come. I made it after 80 kilometers in 2 days ive reached my destination my last stop on the elba cycle route is lends. Good lengths and is one of the oldest towns in North Western brandenburg it has a castle tower with a wonderful view of the beautiful surroundings. Following the course of the elba river for it was a lot of fun but also extremely exhausting at times this trip and especially the wind pushed me to my limit which is why i am so proud to have finally weighed it. The book. The bullet. The body. Blah. Blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah. Blah. Blah blah. Blah blah. Blah blah. Blah. Blah. Blah blah blah blah blah. Blah. Blah blah. Protecting society. Through as a best far right group isnt her eyes in the city the body. Has pushed last month the same from within the muscles to. The point trying to escalate the tense situation. 30 minutes. Something is occurring. During bad weather it. Isnt 7. She is under a caption under store images decent sound at the 1st sign of the story and straight to the rumblings in lightning the biggest images of stunning energy. Your. Its. The easiest. Thing in everything 1st im a muslim. So much different culture between here and there challenging for if. An islamist figure was worth it for me to come to germany and. Got my license to work as a swimming instructor a vision our 2 children 100 adults just one of us of just. Whats your story take part cherish on info my greenstock next. Plato is for me. Is for you. Is for helen. Tovan is for her. Beethoven is for the. Beethoven is for cars. Beethoven is for em up. Beethoven 2021250th anniversary here on d. W. Lou. Lou. This is do you know when theres a line from berlin as the u. S. Sees record surges and coronavirus cases donald trump gives another divisive speech on the white house lawn the u. S. President hails what he calls the countrys progress against the pandemic and vows to project an american way of life that he says is under attack also coming up to. Find serving cold again in england after a 4 month coronavirus shutdown but as the brits flock to pubs the government is calling on drinker