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!