Away from the city - My first bike trip this season | photo series

Yesterday I was sitting at home, wasting my time, so I decided to take my bike on an evening trip around Lublin. Tyres were deflated, so after carrying my bike outside, I had to inflate them first. I hopped on my bike and rode to the bike road, then headed eastward, to the districts Tatary and Kalinowszczyzna. Passing by a few interesting places I wanted to take some photos, but I thought I'll be coming back this way (I did not). My plan was to reach Zemborzyckie Lake, south of Lublin, maybe encircle it, and then go back home.

abandoned tenement on Kalinowszczyzna Str.

When I reached large intersection separating districts of Kalinowszczyzna, Hajdów and Tatary, I took a turn west, and went towards the Main Bus Station, riding through Kalinowszczyzna Street. Then got to the bike path heading south to the Bridge of Culture. "Bridge of Culture" as the bridge of Marian Lutosławski is called, is this interesting place where various cultural events happen. But off-season there are bums, drunks and even one case of rape, which details I'd not disclose. Well, having "culture" in its name doesn't deny that the bridge is located in the piece-of-shit-district of Bronowice.

I suppose the custom of hanging padlocks on the bridge didn't catch on, there were only two of them.

When I got on my bike, heading towards Arena Lublin stadium, it started raining and continued to the end of my trip.
Area of the Main Railway Station where I was heading is quite depressing, even more in this kind of weather. There are various workshops, factories and facilities along these streets: Pszczółka S.A. producing sweets and the Stock Poland, manufacturer of vodka. I smelt distinct sweet stench of liquor meters away from the facility. My friend worked there briefly, it was physically demanding and the pay was shit. I guess they have mostly Ukrainian crew nowadays.

Soon I reached junction on Diamentowa Street, where some repairs are being made to the overpass. Because of these repairs, line 40 is often thirty-fucking-minutes late. And I use that line quite often. Standing there I was quite puzzled where the detour is, but finally I found it and went south again.

When I got to Zemborzycka Street there were only fields beside me. Bike road ran under the crowns of trees. Suddenly I have noticed newly built apartments, standing there in the mud and gravel. Surrounded by fields. With newly built church looking like alien spaceship. Why do they built them like that, I often wonder? City is spreading like a virus, with its hideous concrete structures taking every inch of free space. Socialist architects designed mass produced blocks... interspersed with green areas, parks, trees. Developers of today build concrete on concrete. Living spaces with no space to live. Luxury cages. Buildings in this estate look interesting at least, I have to give them that.

Finally I reached my destination - Zemborzyckie Lake. It's an artificial lake, created in 1974 using the hands of Lublin citizens, whom in "socialist deed" helped building it. There is a bike road encircling the lake, but I had no time or will to go additional 12 kilometers. Usually it's crowded with people chilling there, but this time I met only one couple, having romantic walk in the rain and a few cyclists and runners who like me, didn't knew the concept of "bad weather". The views were worth cycling through depressing neighbourhoods.

As I cycled on the bike lane by the river I started feeling weak. Could it be? - I thought. This bike trip lowered my blood sugar from high to optimal, then I stopped the insulin flow in the pump. But now I had low blood sugar, one small pack of glucose in my pocket, no wallet and eight kilometers to home. Shit. I ate my glucose tabs, and slowed down. My friend lives few kilometers from there, maybe I'll go to his place? Maybe I'll catch a bus somewhere? Do they allow bikes on public transport, I'm not sure. - I was thinking. Fortunately, my glucose level rose again, and I left the "wilderness" of bike path by Bystrzyca river for the "civilization" of Nadbystrzycka Street. I passed Technical University and turned to the bike road heading towards Old Town. I was pretty high on endorfins at this moment and was singing songs loudly. I've passed a few teenagers cheering up their bike trip by hitting a blunt. By the Bus Station I caught city bus going in the direction of my flat and rode quickly through the part of the city with no bike lanes. Soon I was home. Tired, wet, dirty, but satisfied. Whole trip took me 4 hours, for 26 kilometers. Not an impressive result, but hey! I'm not an avid cyclist and I stopped pretty often to took photos. In conclusion -10/10 would go again.

"Kebab Alley" on Nadbystrzycka Street. There is campus of Technical University nearby, and what do the drunken/high students coming back from the Old Town crave? Bingo! For a few hudred meters there is continuous string of kebab bars, one by one, most located in nearly-dilapidated buildings. And one or two pizza restaurants for balance.

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by @postcardsfromlbn