Ride from the Nordkapp (Norway) to Lago di Garda (Italy) crossing part of Sweden, the Baltic states, Poland, part of Austria and the Alpes by bike in July and August! For every kilometer traveled YOU can donate money. My pain on the bike is your incentive to donate money for a good cause.
I’ve put together some suggestions for organizations. Just log in, selects organizations and how much money per 100km you pledge and once I am done you will receive an e-mail, telling you how much money based on your pledge you should donate and the donation info from the respective organizations!
My plan is to cover as many kilometers as possible of the route by bike. Since this idea popped into my head, I realized that I will probably not be able to ride the entire distance within the available timeframe and my endurance. The remaining kilometers will be covered by public transport.
I am Marcel. Just some couchpotato/sport-lover from Mainz, Germany with the opportunity to travel this summer. I finished my PhD in Biology in May 2024, after studying and working for the past 11 years towards this goal. I am politically interested and believe in the good in people, even though my media consumption makes it very difficult sometimes.
As mentioned, I am a German academic, so by definition a privileged person. So, I like to use this privileges to spread good and make the world better. It’s baby step, but one must try
In the last year(s) I helped in two groups in some local fundraisers connected with fun activities:
I like the idea to continue this work even when I can’t help them, because I am sitting on my bike
In case you are wondering who is that rocking reckt3r from the URL: Hannes is the developer of this website, my friend and travel mate until Stockholm. Thank you Hannes!
Firstly, because I can right now. My work, the time of year and a planned vacation with Hannes all make it way too easy to not cease the opportunity now for an extended trip before work life and later age will make it difficult to travel lightly
Secondly, I want a break after my PhD before tackling the next steps in my professional and private life. Let’s see if traveling changes my perspectives and plans!
Thirdly, so far I haven’t seen much of the world or even the EU. Now I want to find out if “traveling” and bikepacking is something I might like and start slowly by visiting countries whose language I don’t speak and a far too long route.
Hannes and me are traveling to the Nordkapp (Norway). I will meet friends and potentially family in August at Lago di Garda (Italy) so obviously I had to cover the distance in-between. I wanted to bike. I know Germany well enough. I haven’t been to the Baltic states and Poland and thought I would be very interesting to visit these countries and EU member states (geopolitical perspectives, cultural differences, nature and people). Further, the European cycle route network Eurovelo already exists, and makes It easy to just follow them.
I personally believe that the EU is one of the best ideas Europe ever had to generate peace in a region riddled by war and violence. International cooperation is more and more important in our globalized world ruled by superpowers. Don’t get me wrong, there are many problems within the EU, with the setup of the EU. It’s not perfect. Yet! I believe we as EU citizens have the responsibility to make it better. EU parliament elections are coming up! So I want to meet people from all corner s of the EU in the future and learn about their perspectives.
As already mentioned, I believe privileges should be used to do good (and reduced in the long-term for a more equal world). There are many problems in the world and luckily many organizations that try to hold back, to make the life of many people better, healthier and help in humanitarian crises. Unfortunately, most of these organizations lack the necessary funds to do or extend their work.
And here YOU come into the equation! Perhaps you don’t need the next coffee to go or the next sweat treat and instead want to ensure the survival or healthier life of a fellow human or the climate.