Name: Johannes Wittwer
Residence: Dornbirn / Austria
Year of birth: 1974
Bike: Vpace TMX XL
Riding period: April 11 – July 19 2024
South to North
Traveling to the start point: by train
Traveling back home: with a friend I his small VW T3 camper and visiting some old friends in Finland.
8050 km in 93 cycling days
Details of my route with some small variations on my Strava https://strava.app.link/WsWZT1WJ8Ub
Most favourite part: Mountain areas in Spain and the remote sections in northern Sweden. And a small detour to Gorafe and Badlands
Random Thoughts:
* it’s simply relaxing to think about nothing – just pedal all day long till the evening … Day after day
* Enjoyed the vibrant beauty of the Portuguese pastures in full bloom, and appreciated the scenic Andalusian landscape, where olive groves sprawl to the horizon
* Next came the bright, luminous green of sprouting leaves in spring as I crossed the French Jura and the Vosges, a remarkable awakening of nature.
* Then experienced the transformation from the German mixed forests to the Scandinavian coniferous forests and the vast northern tundra in Lapland and Finnmark
* Be prepared for the early spring heat in Spain but don’t be surprised by cold, rainy days, maybe even snow in the high altitudes in Spain just days later.
* it’s just a mental challenge to manage the irritations of scandinavian insects … They come in different formats … Tiny midges on grassy campsites … Big horseflies following you when cycling … Or the average mosquitoes annoying you at lunch break
* rain brings mud – muddy forest and mountain trails require mental and physical endurance
* enjoy meeting fellow bikepackers and share your stories
* Despite crossing Europe on the EDT, there are still so many unknown corners to explore – continue cycling Europe and go explore
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johanneswittwer
Johannes’ trip in pictures
