Monthly Archives: March 2015

German forests & rain

Checking in from my third country – Germany! It’s now four days since I took the ferry from Gedser to Rostock. I’ve now made it to Berlin and gotten hold of some decent Wi-Fi for the first time since entering Germany. So far all (…well, both) my border crossings have been made by boat, and I’m still waiting to actually cross into a new country by my own force. This is something I’m really looking forward to as no matter how dorky it may seem, I just LOVE reaching those border signs, and take the mandatory ‘new country photo’ before actually passing them. From now on though, it’s just gonna be the bike and I until the very end of Eurasia. A distance I really can’t grasp at the moment.


Not only people are curious about what’s in my panniers


My bicycle safely buckled up for its second ferry ride

Since I left Denmark for Germany I’ve sometimes gotten the feeling that I’m back in northern Sweden, just at a different time of the year than I left it a few weeks ago. The green open fields has disappeared and been replaced by deep forrests with these calm and almost empty roads lingering their way between the trees. But even though so much here reminds me of home it’s still obvious that this is far from it. If the birds and animals, or flowers and plants wouldn’t be clear enough, not being able to properly communicate with the people around me definitely is.


The open green landscapes in Denmark…


…Surely didn’t come with me to Germany

I’m rolling through eastern Germany, the former DDR, which means that when I’m not speaking to very young people, my English is pretty much useless here. German or Russian are the options if you wanna make yourself understood here, and as I’m not speaking any of them, I’m mostly using another favorite of mine: body language! Even though it often takes some time, it still amazes me how easy it can be to communicate without really sharing a language.

During first couple of weeks on the road I was absolutely blown away by my luck with the weather. This week things have changed pretty drastically and I’ve been struggling with lots of rain and headwinds since I came to Germany. My first flat tire, issues with getting hold of Euros and a hurt hand have all come as small bumps in the road here. In some weird way though, I’ve actually been enjoying having to take on these small challanges.

I’ve told many people that the beginning of my trip has been ‘too easy!’, and I’ve been looking forward start overcoming the challanges you’re faced with while on the road. Getting food without cash or a working credit card, or keeping warm and dry when the sky is trying it’s best to make you drown being two obvious examples. They hardships on the road are not in any way worse that the ones you face at home – just very, very different. And there are few things I love more than watching my focus turn towards the very basics; eating enough, sleeping safely and keeping dry & warm while constantly moving forward at a steady pace.


This in tent German ‘body language dinner’ is a whole story in itself…

Even though the limiting language barriers, I’ve had great times with some really nice people on my way though Germany. Yesterday I made it to Berlin and am now enjoying a day off the saddle with new friends. I never thought keeping this blog would lead to so many people reaching out to help me out along the way. This time it’s Lydia from Germany who’s made sure to get me a place and stuff to do while I’m here. My biggest thank you to everyone who’s going out of their way to make this adventure what it is!

You’re all just amazing :)

By |March 30th, 2015|Europe, Travel Logs|
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Denmark & Nicolai

I never know how to begin these posts, as so much always has happened since the last one. Time seems to move slower than ever, and each day on the road consist of like a week’s worth of experiences at home.

Taking the ferry to Denmark was really a highlight so far on the trip. The feelings I had right before, and during the short 20 minute ride reminded me a lot of those I had during Day 1 back home in Sundsvall. Total excitement in combination with some kind of nervousness I’m still having difficulty defining. Crossing the border into Denmark was my first real milestone and it was such a special moment to stand in the back of the deck, watching the Swedish mainland drift further and further away.

I loved getting off in Helsingør! Even though Sweden was still just a few kilometers away, seemingly small changes made it obvious that I was no longer at home. Funny enough, just 5 minutes into Denmark, I reached the 1000 km mark and got another reason to celebrate. Couldn’t have had better timing!

I cycled into Copenhagen where I spent an extra day just being a regular tourist. Going to see a capital is always nice, but the city itself was not what made these two days absolutely magical. That was all thanks to a certain Nicolai Bangsgaard.

This amazingly inspiring guy is a living proof that this crazy quest I’ve started actually isn’t impossible. Between 2006 and 2010 Nicolai rode his bike over 60 000 km around the world, rolling through more than 50 countries before finishing back home in Denmark.

Ever since I first heard of the concept of bike touring Nicolai has been a huge inspiration to me, and the last couple of years I’ve spent countless hours on his website, reading the logs he kept on his journey. So I guess most of you can imagine my excitement when he offered me to come crash at his place Copenhagen?

Spending time with Nicolai has made me more motivated than ever. I’ve gotten to listen to his stories from the road, take his advice and having him assuring me that Yeah, of course I’ll be fine. He more than anyone knows what it is that I’m getting myself into, and him believing that I absolutely can do this means the world. I couldn’t be happier.

I really had a hard time leaving this morning, as I easily could have spent at least a week just absorbing his experience and great energy. But we’ll just have to wait and see when our paths cross next time, right now I’m very confident that sooner or later they will.

After leaving Copenhagen I had a great day in the saddle today. With Denmark being as flat as it is, combined with a crazy tailwind I was just flying south. Clouds made the day pretty grey, but I still really enjoyed being outside. Everything is now so green and even though this was a day of “bad weather” it was way warmer than the sunny days I had a couple of weeks back in Sweden.

Tonight I’m falling asleep just a couple of hours from Gedser where tomorrow I’ll take the ferry to Rostock, Germany. Really looking forward to take on country number three, and start making my way towards Berlin.

Goodnight!

By |March 26th, 2015|Europe, Travel Logs|
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Leaving home

Sweden – CHECK.

This feels totally surreal: I’ve reached my Swedish finish line! Yesterday, exactly two weeks after I started pedaling from Sundsvall, I made it to Helsingborg and the end of my journey through Sweden. These weeks have been absolutely amazing on so many levels and I’m so so happy and grateful for everything I’ve gotten to experiene so far.

To see the path I’ve been taking, you can always check out the bottom of this page: The Route

Since leaving Skinnskatteberg and my grandmother’s, I’ve had 7 straight days of cycling. A combination of amazing weather, a well rested body and a great urge to get out of Sweden made long days in the saddle more enjoyable than most would probably imagine.

I’ve loved watching the landscape change as I’ve steadily been moving south. The snow is now long gone and instead of passing snowmobiles and deep forrests I’m now rolling past green open fields and spring flowers growing like weeds in dithes and peoples’ gardens. I’m really getting to experience a spring on steroides and thinking about how much things will have changed in two more weeks makes me so excited. Probably not that many days left before I’ll be riding in a T-shirt for the first time.

Apart from homestays with wonderfully helpful and generous people I’ve met along the way, I’ve had some amazing camping since last time I checked in with you. Thanks to the Everyman’s right, Sweden offers some of the easiest and fuzz free camping there is, and I’ve had a few absolutely dreamlike mornings watching the sunrise or sunset straight from my sleeping bag. The nights are still a bit cold, but with a few extra layers of clothing I’ve been enjoying myself to the fullest.

So far I’ve really been spoiled with problem free days. Everything has been going my way, and even when the rain and rough wheather finally hit, it did so in my favor. Yesterday was supposed to be a bit though with 80 km, including climbing Hallandsåsen, in headwind and heavy rain. Luckliy though the winds changed to give me a 8 m/s wind in the back, allowing me to pedal to Helsingborg in record speed. Here I’m spending my time at the house of my relatives, taking a day off to hang out, rest and just take my last breaths of Swedish air before leaving home.

Tomorrow I’ll be taking the ferry to Denmark, and in a way be starting this adventure for real. As always, I’m leaving my route open for change, but Denmark, Germany, Czech Republic and Austria are sure to get a visit from my rolling circus in the next couple of weeks.

I’m smiling just thinking about what awaits.

Cheers!

By |March 22nd, 2015|Europe, Travel Logs|
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First week!

OK!

I don’t really know how to write this post, but here it goes. First off – I’m on the road! And have been for about a week now. A long, intense and absolutely wonderful week. One I for sure will remember forever.

It all started last Sunday when it finally was time for me to kiss my friends and family goodbye. Lots of people came to show their support and I couldn’t have wished for a better way to begin this journey. I don’t think I’ve ever felt such mixed emotions before and tears of both joy and sadness all came at the same time.

After what seemed like just a few minutes (it was actually a couple of hours) of “Goodbye:s” and “I’ll miss you:s”, it was really time. And I’m not even going to attempt to explain the emotions flooding though my body as I took my first wobbly pedal strokes and felt the wheels rolling beneath me.

The sense of freedom that rushed through me as I rolled out of Sundsvall was simply out of this world, and the feeling has been sticking with me for this entire week. I still feel overwhelmed with happiness, relief, pride and excitement about the fact that The Bike Ramble finally has become reality. It’s no longer something I’m just thinking or talking about doing. It’s here!



As if everything wasn’t already perfect I’ve had the best weather anyone could wish for this week. Apart from stuggling with some harsh winds on one day I’ve had perfect conditions. The sun has been shining constantly and daytime I’ve often been able to ride without even wearing a jacket. Not what one would expect from northern Sweden this time a year! I’ve mainly been sticking to these beautiful roads, calmy winding though the Swedish forests. With very few cars around to break the illusion, it’s really been like riding though a real life fairytale. It’s really a warm feeling to be exploring and experiencing my home country like this.





So far I’ve only spent one night in my tent, as I’ve been lucky enough to be invited into the homes of a bunch of friendly people along the road. Even though I love to pitch the tent and crawl into my sleeping bag at night, I’m not going to turn an offer of dinner, nice company and a warm bed just yet.

On Thursday, 5 days into the trip, I reached my first pit stop Skinnskatteberg. A tiny town where my lovely grandmother has been waiting for me since I started pedaling from Sundsvall. Even if it might seem like a small one, it feels awesome to have completed this first leg of the trip. And it’s been so nice to take a couple of days off the saddle to rest my body (and butt), and just stuff myself with delicious food.

Isn’t she the cutest?

On Sunday I’ll keep moving south. It’s already far less snowy here than back in Sundsvall and I’m really excited to keep chasing warmer weather. Today my bike got some minor touch ups at the local bike shop and I know that she, like me, is excited to get going again.

Talk to you later!

By |March 14th, 2015|Europe, Travel Logs|
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Can’t sleep…

I should be sleeping right now. But I just can’t. I mean, how could I?

I’ve been thinking about this moment every day for what seems like forever. And now it’s actually here. One last night in my own bed and a breakfast at home is what’s left before I leave my old life behind and jump head first into the biggest adventure of my life.

The last day at home turned out to be one of the best ones I’ve ever had. I thought I knew it before, but today has proven that I really do have the best friends one could wish for.

This morning I got waken by my best friends, who’d all come home to Sundsvall to be here my last weekend at home. I was so happy to see them that I didn’t really reflect on the fact that the breakfast in bed they brought me was the typical Swedish Christmas rice pudding.

microyear

Soon though it became clear what was going on. To make up for the upcoming time we won’t be able to have together they’d arranged an entire micro-year compressed into one long, amazing day. Christmas, Easter, and the typical Swedish mid summer celebration were all covered by lunch time, and the day was already to good to be true.

microyear

microyear

During the afternoon the year continued with the imaginary celebration of my birthday (October) at the spa. About this time the love and gratitude I feel towards these people led into on and off crying and laughing in a way I wasn’t really ready for.

microyear

microyear

Our one day year was finished off in style with a three course New Year’s dinner. I can’t really describe how nice it’s been to just let go off (almost) all thoughts of this project and have this last amazing day with people I care so much about. I guess that the only negative thing would be that this will make it even more difficult to leave them all tomorrow.

microyear

microyear

OK. It’s now 3.30 AM and I need to get some sleep.

Even with the mixed emotions I am so excited to see what tomorrow will bring. Just as today has been, tomorrow will be a day that I for sure will remember for the rest of my life, and I can’t wait to experience it.

I really feel like the luckiest girl in the world :)

Time for bed!

microyear

By |March 8th, 2015|Preparations|
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Last weekend

The start date of this huge adventure has always seemed so far away. I’ve been counting months, and then weeks. But now I’m suddenly talking about days before departure. Three days to be exact. The whole thing seems so surreal at the moment.

The last few weeks have been really intense. Gear testing, physical preparations, talks with media, meeting sponsors, working with the fundraiser, getting the paperwork together. In short, there has been a lot. Getting ready for this massive adventure, all the while trying to enjoy my last moments with my loved ones has been a challenge to say the least.

This is my last “prep day” before the trip. What’s not done by tonight, won’t ever be done. My last two days at home are for me, my family and my friends. Nothing else. I’ll have all the time in the world to fine tune my gear and make phone calls once I’ve begun my journey. There’s really nothing that can’t be fixed later down the road. The only thing that I can’t do later is hug my close ones. And I know for a fact that I’d regret it if I didn’t take this opportunity to really enjoy the last few days with the people I love.

family

It’s just crazy how much I’ll miss these people. Thank God for Skype :)

By |March 5th, 2015|Preparations|
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