Name: Erik Jensen
Residence: Ontario / Canada
Year of birth: 1959
Bike: Cube Elite SL
Riding period: July 5, 2024 – August 28, 2024
Most favourite part: Riding through the northern section was a favourite part. The rivers, lakes, waterfalls, reindeers and hot dogs in Norway, Finland and Sweden have left a deep, positive emotional imprint on my brain. Riding on the beach and smelling the salt water in Denmark was a highlight of my journey.
Seeing the wild boars in Germany and France was a scary but memorable highlight.
My 372 km ride in 32 hours to the ferry with Sergej tested me physically and mentally but the sunrise and sunset on that day and riding in silence through the night will forever be ingrained in my mind as a highlight.
The gas stations in Sweden, Danmark and Germany were epic with their selection of food offerings.
Riding through the rolling hills in Spain and Portugal with acre after acre of olive groves on both sides.
Meeting so many kind and helpful people along the way was indeed a welcomed highlight.
The forests and singletrack in Germany, crisscrossing the Swiss border and the beautiful mountains in France were unforgettable.
Key Moments: After 10 days of straight rain, my Garmin, iPhone and backup navigation all failed and Sergej arrived at the perfect time; helping to navigate me to the ferry and lead me through a beautiful 3-4 day journey through Sweden.
Scenic Highlights: The entire route was filled with breathtaking landscapes
Challenges: Kilometres of steep, rugged unrideable terrain required lots of hike-a-bike sections. Swamps and bushwhacking added to the adventure and added many outbursts of swearing and checks on my own sanity.
Random thoughts: Is the left side of the trail faster than the right?
How exactly do I go about getting food in Spain?
Six to eight ice cream bars per day, is that too much?
One can live on ice cream, Fanta, Coke and Ham and Cheese sandwiches!
Some wine would pair nicely with all that cork!
They sure know how to party in Sweden and Spain!
Is Techno music still a thing?
Not sure if Gore-Tex really works in heavy, continuous rain?
How could I hook up bear spray to my handlebars to keep the dogs at bay?
How did I end up here?
I will never underestimate the importance of dry feet!
*I’m truly blessed and privileged to have had the opportunity to complete the north to south route in one go in celebration of my 65th birthday and at the same time bringing awareness to World Bicycle Relief and in turn raising $ 41,000.00 for the cause.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erik_jensen65
Erik‘s trip in pictures
