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Cycling
Slower Than a Caveman Rolling Down a Hill
“I will ride my bicycle around the World.” With an audible power, these words drew a fantasy into the realm of possibility.
People wanted estimates, people wanted answers. “What's your plan?” they asked.
“Plan? What plan? I told you – I will ride my bike around the world. That's the only plan.”
The only thing I knew for certain was that nothing is certain. On September 15, 2007, with a bike and a passport, I left my beloved Wisconsin. I went East on two wheels, food for fuel and freedom for breath.
Somewhere past Norfolk, Virginia, I discovered an ocean in my way. “What do I do now?” Deep inside, I knew I wouldn't fly across it. Airplanes are just too damaging to the environment, and besides, they move too fast.
So I went down to the docks to look for a boat.
Midnight Sun. The End And Beginning Of The Journey.
Midnight sun is actually around 01:30. The clock is not closely following the sun in Finland. It is impressively unimpressive. In particular after 5,000 km biking through Europe from Italy for it. Just a dull sunset. Or a sunrise if you will. I nicknamed it "sunbounce". The end and the beginning of a day. Very annoying if you're sleeping outside.
And the destination of the trip. Or the beginning of the way back. Another 5.000 km, rounding the Baltic sea on its western shore this time. The destination is just the excuse, a pretext. The real stuff is the way. The way is the end, the end is just the way.
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