I don't remember exactly how it happened, but at some point, the thought occurred to me to do something that would challenge me completely, both physically and mentally.
It had to be something outside my comfort zone. Something I didn't know if I could even accomplish.
Time and money are always limited somewhere. And so, the idea came to me that cycling to the North Cape could be a possible challenge.
Well, when you live in the Zollernalbkreis, practically in the middle of Baden-Württemberg, the North Cape (as the northernmost point of Europe) isn't exactly around the corner. 4,200 km to get there is no short hop. On top of that, I was never a cyclist—let alone someone who sat on the saddle with passion.
But the longer I thought about it, the more the journey to the North Cape crystallized into a real and achievable challenge.
Before I could even start, I had to completely re-equip myself. First, I needed the right gear: a bike, tent, stove, sleeping bag, etc. The will and courage—did I really have that?
I knew that as a complete beginner, I wanted to tackle a route that is already considerable for experienced cyclists. But that's precisely what attracted me: I wanted to prove to myself that discipline and the will to push boundaries can change a person.
On May 24, 2024, I said goodbye to my family and friends. My bike was heavily loaded with the equipment shown above. My head, on the other hand, was full of doubt.
The first few kilometers felt more like a walk into the unknown. I had no idea yet how much this journey would change me.
Germany and Denmark: The Baptism by Fire
The first few days were a rollercoaster. Physically, I was surprised at how well I could keep up, but mentally, it was a completely different story. The thought of having 4,200 kilometers still ahead of me and being completely alone for almost three months was terrifying, fascinating, and overwhelming all at once.
In the first three days, I was consistently able to cover about 50-60 km per day. That was less than I had planned. However, I was able to increase my daily mileage day by day. After about a week, 70-80 km became the norm. From then on, I also noticed that every extra kilometer covered gave me a little more self-confidence.
Several positive surprises and warm encounters were certainly helpful, motivating me very well at the beginning to keep going. For example, I asked a farmer for a place for my tent. This resulted in a warm bed, interesting conversations, and a hearty dinner. A few days later, while searching for a place to sleep again, I got another warm bed and, I couldn't believe my luck, even Wi-Fi. And so, eventually, I arrived in Hamburg.
In Denmark, the first real challenges arrived: wind that blew relentlessly in my face, two flat tires that cost me half a day, and motivation that hit an all-time low.
When I first saw the sea in Frederikshavn, Denmark, I realized how far I had already come—from that point on, I wanted to go much further.
To give a better sense of the route and the strain, here are a few numbers from my journey through Germany and Denmark:
| Germany | Denmark | |
| Days cycled | 18 days | 7 days |
| Kilometers cycled | 1,021 km | 471 km |
| Elevation gain | 4,970 m | 1,760 m |
Norway: The Hardest but Most Beautiful Chapter
In Frederikshavn, I took the ferry to Oslo. From Oslo, the most demanding part of the journey began. Norway is breathtaking, but it demands everything from a cyclist. The mountains seemed endless, the climbs brutal. Yet somehow, I felt stronger than I had expected.
My body had adapted, and I began to enjoy the challenge. Distances of 120km+ suddenly became the norm, and all of this in a landscape that repeatedly touched you deeply.
In Trondheim, I reached the coast and followed it further north. This was the most beautiful, but also the toughest time. Norway is a country that constantly leaves you speechless—fjords, mountains, endless expanses. I often stopped just to soak in the scenery. I spent time with other like-minded cycle tourers, fished for cod or mackerel in the evenings, and slept in the untouched nature.
The midnight sun was a special highlight. It was surreal that it never got dark at night. Instead, I often sat on a rock at midnight and watched the sun hover above the horizon.
The Lofoten Islands, with their unique fjord and mountain landscape, were the absolute highlight. I don't know how many photos I took because I simply couldn't believe I was actually there—and all of it by my own power.
The two sections can be summarized with numbers as follows:
| Oslo–Trondheim | Trondheim–Lofoten | |
| Days cycled | 10 days | 14 days |
| Kilometers cycled | 553 km | 1,076 km |
| Elevation gain | 5,440 m | 8,350 m |
The Goal in Sight: The North Cape
After almost two months, I reached Tromsø, my last major stop before the North Cape. The last 500 kilometers were emotional. I took more breaks to let the landscape sink in and became aware of how proud I was of what I had already accomplished.
The closer I got to the goal, the more barren the surroundings became. Reindeer roamed freely everywhere, and I saw porpoises and sea eagles. It was as if nature was showing me everything it had to offer one last time as a finale.
On July 31, at 3 a.m., I finally stood at the North Cape. I had made it—4,200 kilometers, 70 days, countless ups and downs. The feeling was indescribable: I made the impossible possible for myself.
For the last section, I actually took the longest and also conquered the most elevation gain.
| Lofoten–North Cape | |
| Days cycled | 21 days |
| Kilometers cycled | 1,064 km |
| Elevation gain | 9,930 m |
Looking Back: How the Journey Changed Me
This journey not only made me fitter but also showed me what I, what we, are capable of when we believe in ourselves and pursue our goals. When I returned home, I felt like a different person. Someone who barely rode a bike a year ago had become a long-distance cyclist. I challenged myself physically and mentally and grew from it. But more than that: I learned that limits often only exist in the mind. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Appendix: Donation, Stats, and Map of the Entire Route
Donation
On my journey, I wanted to not only experience an adventure but also do something good. Because for me, it's not just a trip. It's an opportunity to bring a piece of hope and support to where it's needed most. That's why I decided to collect donations for children in need in developing countries parallel to my journey. For children who don't have the same opportunities as we do and often have to contend with the most difficult living conditions. I am convinced that each of us can make a difference—no matter how small the contribution. I am supported in this by, for example, klimmzugstangen.de and BEUTTER and other donors.
Stats and Map of the Entire Route
In the little over two months, or in the 70 days of my journey, I covered a total of exactly 4,164 km and climbed 30,450 meters in elevation. All in all, on average, I covered 60 km per day and climbed 435 meters in elevation. My entire route can be seen on the following map.
| Zollernalbkreis (Baden-Württemberg) - North Cape | |
| Days cycled | 70 days |
| Kilometers cycled | 4,165 km |
| Elevation gain | 30,450 m |
Notes and Sources: This is a guest post by Jason Rotfuß. Image source: Jason Rotfuß. Here you can also find the podcast for the blog post (currently only in English).
