Berlin’s next sport trend? Let’s call it… U-Bahn racing. As subway trains trundle overhead, you zoom off on your bike, free as a bird with a tailwind and safely away from all those pesky cars. The location: the Radbahn, a unique stretch of cycle lane located directly under the U1 railway viaduct in Kreuzberg. We previewed the project back in 2019, and now the people behind it are ready to cut the ribbon (well, almost). Next Thursday (25.04.2024) a trial section of the route between Görlitzer Bahnhof and Kottbusser Tor is launching with a special community event where you can test out the 200m-long cycle lane for yourself. Seventy parking spaces have been cleared to make room for the green-painted lane, which is 3-4m wide and should extend to 9km if fully approved by the city. Besides cycling, the event will also showcase some of the other uses planned for this under-rail haven: areas for doing outdoor fitness, planters for urban greenery, and seating areas for chilling. The aim: make Kreuzberg not just easy to cycle, but more livable too. The Radbahn will officially open at 16h, followed by a guided tour with the creators at 18h. You’ll need to grab your bike and gear up soon – the initial test phase only runs until 15.06. See you on the start line?
Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Reallabor Radbahn
Radbahn, under the U1 viaduct on Skalitzer Str. (Mariannenstraße until Oranienstraße), Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Opening event 25.04.2024 16–20h30.
@radbahnberlin
They are loyal companions, the products from Ucon Acrobatics: durable backpacks slung on the backs of city dwellers worldwide. As I wait at traffic lights on my bike, I notice how many other cyclists carry Ucon Acrobatics backpacks. The Berlin brand is a local player with remarkable success — no surprise given the extreme functionality of their designs. This ethos aligns seamlessly with the renowned Bauhaus motto: “Form follows function”. The design of Ucon Acrobatics backpacks is tailored to the ergonomic needs of our backs and what we carry with us: laptops, lunch boxes, post-work shopping, sports gear… the list goes on. All of these items find their place in models like Jasper, Hajo and Niklas. Now, these three backpacks are available as part of a limited edition collaboration with the Bauhaus Foundation. In line with the ethos of the famous art school, the Ucon Acrobatics team has pursued innovative solutions. The backpacks are crafted from cork, the natural material is layered thinly creating a distinctive pattern. An outer waterproof layer ensures all belongings stay dry as you travel from A to B, and has a sleek but subtle silver shimmer. Combined with the silver tone, the cork resembles terrazzo, and the shimmering, reflective elements provide added safety during low visibility conditions. The Ucon Acrobatics x Bauhaus Collection is perfect for daily commutes and cultural outings. Imagine a trip to the temporary Bauhaus Archive, where you can explore the Otti Berger exhibition — another pioneer of textile innovation. Alternatively, you might journey to Weimar and Dessau, the birthplaces of the Bauhaus movement. One thing is certain: form and function inspire motivation!
Text: Maria Mayer / Photos: Ucon Acrobatics
The Ucon Acrobatics x Bauhaus collection is available online directly from Ucon Acrobatics.
@ucon_acrobatics
Nestled amidst the serene landscape of Mecklenburg Lake District lies the Alte Schule Liepen. A haven of tranquility and reflection, meticulously restored by its devoted owners. How apt that Sujin Lee, a yoga instructor specializing in Jivamukti and Khalsa Way Yoga, has chosen this secluded sanctuary as the venue for her upcoming retreat. From 18.–21.04.2024, expectant mothers will discover a haven of silence here, laying the groundwork for their journey into motherhood. Despite its idyllic rural setting, this enchanting retreat is easily accessible: a simple journey via regional train from Berlin Central Station to Kratzeburg takes us to a lush garden, a sauna nestled within a charming barn, free-roaming chickens, and unobstructed vistas stretching into the distance. Guests are accommodated in beautifully designed rooms and gather for communal meals in a cozy shared kitchen. The yoga sessions take place in the studio house, featuring a heated terrazzo floor and floor-to-ceiling windows that seamlessly blend the indoor space with its natural surroundings.
Over four days, expectant mothers will devote themselves to self-care and bonding with their babies. In addition to yoga and meditation sessions, activities such as Breathwalks, Yoga Nidra, and a sound bath led by musician and Healing Practitioner, Anneli Bentler, aim to ground participants and foster inner trust. Theresa Lange, herself a mother and photographer, will capture the essence of this unique experience through her lens. The retreat program is rooted in the Khalsa Way, a holistic method derived from Kundalini Yoga, specifically designed to prepare women for childbirth and motherhood. And what better setting could there be than a place that has been a second home to so many children?
Text: Stephanie Johne / Photos: Sujin Lee
Entering Motherhood 18.–21.04.2024
@sujinleeyoga
It was abundantly clear when I traveled to Japan last year: there were to be no limits on my spending or appetite when it came to Kakigōri ice cream and ramen. Since then, I can’t imagine a summer without shaved ice. This is probably why Tenzan Lab has become a firm fixture in Berlin. Nothing soothes and cools a person down more than a Kakigōri ice cream at the bar on a late summer evening, and it serves the added benefit of instantly transporting me back to Japan. For ramen lovers, there’s even more reason to visit Tenzan Lab now that Leonardo Tsubasa has taken over the kitchen since March 2024 from 18h. with his Fukagawa Ramen pop-up. Masataka Namba, the founder of Tenzan Lab, discovered Leonardo’s ramen at the Gendarmenmarkt Christmas market and was so impressed he immediately gave him the chance to share his creations with a wider audience. “Fukagawa” is named after Leonardo’s father’s birthplace, who worked in the catering industry and ran several renowned restaurants in Berlin. With his untimely death, he passed on his passion for cooking to Leonardo — the pop-up’s name is a tribute to him. What makes it so special? He combines both of his parents’ countries of origin in his soups. His mother is Italian, and this is how the truffle ramen (shoyu ramen base) was born, straying from the classic version with a hint of truffle foam and finely chopped truffles. Alongside the “Shoyu Truffle,” the ramen dishes are made with a homemade broth, which he leaves to simmer and infuse for more than ten hours.
Some other options that jumped out at me were “Asari” with clams and garlic butter, and “Tsukemen,” where the noodles are served separately from the broth for dipping. Pair your meal with homemade yuzu lemonade or cold tea, and enjoy gyoza or Leonardo’s edamame special with chili, garlic and parmesan as appetizers. Dessert options may leave you spoilt for choice… Will you drop by in the afternoon and try the menu backward? First, the ice-cold cool-down with Masataka’s Kakigōri ice cream, followed by warm ramen to warm you up in the late evening. Or would you prefer to stick to the classic “first main course, then dessert” option? If the latter, you’re also in good hands at Fukagawa. A matcha or yuzu tiramisu is as perfect a way to round off a warm summer evening as a Kakigōri ice cream from Masataka.
Text & Photos: Robyn Steffen
Fukagawa Ramen, Wörther Str.22, 10405 Berlin–Prenzlauer Berg; map
@fukagawaramen