1000+ km - Home

Km on the clock: 1000+

I took my time to get ready the next morning and left the hostel around 11:30. I received a text message from my friend Kevin asking where I was and what route I would take home. He promised me before I left on Expedition1000GER that he would meet me somewhere outside of Flensburg and ride the last few kilometers with me. I gave him my route information and left Schleswig.

I took the same route as on a weekend bike trip that I did earlier this year. Everything was so familiar and there was no need for a map or to ask someone for directions. For the first time on this trip it was actually me giving directions to someone else. I met another cyclist studying his maps and wondering around while I took a break to kill some time. I planned to be back at the Hafenspitze in Flensburg (this is how Flensburg locals call the tip of the Flensburg Fjord) at 3 pm and didn't want to be there too early because a friend arranged a little welcoming event and even a journalist of the local newspaper was supposed to attend.

The other cyclist seemed perfectly equipped, wearing a solid rain outfit while I was wearing once again my blue plastic bag poncho to stay dry. He was definitely amused by my outfit. We chatted for a bit. He left home two days ago and was on his way to Norway. It was a bit weird to think that his journey just beginning while mine was going to end that same day. Looking back, it didn't even feel like two weeks. It felt more that I left Oberstdorf just a couple of days ago.

Approximately 15 kilometers outside of Flensburg I finally met Kevin with his brand new and ultra-light racing bike. It gave both of us a really good laugh to lift each other’s bikes to compare the weight. While I could lift his with only two fingers he had a hard time to lift my fully packed bike.

After riding a few kilometers together Kevin had a puncture. At that point I was really grateful that I didn't have a single puncture throughout my entire trip. After changing the tube and using an elderly man’s air pump we made it into Flensburg. It was a great goosebumps moment to pass the sign stating: Flensburg. I made it! I cycled the entire length of Germany within two weeks and without any significant training.

However, it was still not 3 pm so we decided get a coffee in the Flensburg city center to kill some time. I tried to recap the last two weeks but realized that I mentally didn't really arrive yet. It would for sure take a few days to process all impressions of this trip.

Kevin and I turned into the square at the Hafenspitze. Family and a few friends were already waiting for my arrival and to welcome me back at home. Even the deputy city president came to say thank you for the fundraising campaign for Doctors without Borders and gave me Flensburg book. Once again, thanks for this wonderful gift! The journalist of the local newspaper asked me: What are you going to do next? Take a shower and relax on the couch, I answered. And that is what I did.

Short report about my bike trip in Flensburger Tageblatt newspaper

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