FINISHER #59

Name: Brian Akers

Residence: Frederiksvaerk, Denmark

Year of birth: 1958

Bike: Solace OM-2P (Pinion 18)

Riding period: August 2024 · April–June 2025 · August 2025,  Total: 81 riding days + 6 rest days

Most favourite part: Spain was both the hardest and the most beautiful part of the EDT.  But each country along the trail had its own kind of beauty — Portugal, France, Germany, and the Nordic landscapes all offered something unique — but it’s Spain’s mountains that I’ll remember most.

Random Thoughts:

I love exploring this planet under my own power. Moving slowly through the landscapes revealed a kind of beauty you can only discover at that pace.

At 67, it was tough to get back on the bike day after day. What kept me going was the challenge — testing both my “old” body and my mind against the journey.

Hike-a-bikes are a fact of life on the EDT. Sometimes they took up most of the day (especially in Spain), but I actually enjoyed the hiking breaks.

Listen to your body: I should have taken more rest in the southern section. Pushing through tendonitis in my left foot only made it worse and delayed my finish.

Weirdest but most invaluable kit: a €9 gel seat pad cover from Decathlon — I ended up using two of them.

Gear that made a huge difference: Garmin 1040 Solar, Garmin Varia radar (peace of mind + car speed), and a Redshift suspension seatpost.

If I did it again, I’d probably go with front suspension.

Vittoria Mezcal tires were flawless (tubeless — 2.3 north, 2.6 south). Not a single puncture.

I carried way too much clothing to start with. In the end I used just one set. Merino wool is amazing — even after seven days without washing.

The EDT Facebook group was an incredible resource. I learned a lot and felt supported throughout the journey. Thanks 🙏

Instagram: Brian Akers (@briakers) • Instagram-Fotos und -Videos

Brians’ trip in pictures

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