My graduation turned out to be meaningless; I just wanted to cycle the world
Ahh, the graduation that I had been working towards my whole life ended up being the least important thing for me at the end of the year. Because my heart and desires was already put towards a dream I did not know if I even could achieve. The 24th April 2017 I went on a adventure that I am still somewhat on to this very day.
I have never had my own bike and yet something told me that I wanted to cycle distances i didn't even know would be possible. So filled with doubt and concerns to whether I would even be able to cross the first country, I went on a 5 months biking trip that took me from Denmark to Greece and everything in between. I still remember the first night sitting in my tent in a rainstorm and looking at my GPS. I could barely see I had moved off the coast of Denmark. I remember the voice in my head asking myself: "Mikkel, what the hell are you doing, you will never make it?"
I had too far to go and without any experience I felt a bit stupid. Also when people asking me where I was heading and i told them "Greece", they just looked at me and started laughing. I felt a bit ashamed, not because of their reactions but because I really didn't know if I could make it or not.
After a travel that felt like a lifetime I finally stood on Greek Soil
After cycling in temperatures as high as 42 degrees and going up and above mountain passes that felt like never ending I somehow managed to stand where I 5 months before never thought I would be standing. I could now say I had succeeded in my very first cycling tour from Denmark to Greece. The feeling was powerful. Like I was unbeatable and I could go anywhere in the world. Distance was now merely numbers that no matter what could be crushed with the power of my legs.
So I kept cycling throughout Greece: into the inland between the mountains and along the endless coastlines. It felt like paradise and was a very well deserved reward to spend my time there. Eventually I settled down for a few weeks on a farm to learn about permaculture. A most interesting period with a lot of memories with new friends that still stands strong to this day.
So after staying in Southern Greece for 5 weeks on this farm I asked myself; what now?
Should I keep on cycling further? Should I go towards Africa? Asia? My dreams just got bigger and bigger and it felt almost impossible to make the decision. Or At least until I was also reminded of another option. Someone who I felt I was not quite done with. Someone who had stolen my heart before I even left Denmark.
Who had guessed i would end up in Romania?
My life has been very unpredictable in this year and i absolutely love it. But who would have guessed i took the spontaneous decision to ask the woman i fell in love with BEFORE my trip to be together with me? Even more crazy is she said yes? So now instead of being in Denmark or to keep cycling i put my biking adventure on hold and went on a completely new journey.
I moved to Romania where I now have been for the past 3 months. Trying to learn it's people, the language and everything else this amazing country has to offer. Everything with my new wonderful Romanian girlfriend by my side.
Still thinking of all of this can make me both laugh but also feel grateful i finally decided to ask for what i wanted. That despite some fears I was able to take the decision of moving with the woman i had fallen in love with and get the chance to get to know each other much better than before.
So here I am in Romania living a life i had never dreamed of. But something in me still drags me towards the wheels that in the first place took me towards this lifestyle. Yes that is right, I still look to take new grand adventures when the snow starts to melt.
2017 was an amazing year for me, but i think the stone only just started to roll
Looking into 2018 it feels like this year was a setup to maybe something even greater coming towards me:
I have a wonderful girlfriend now who seems to support me no matter what i wish to do. Who seems to just wanna see me happy no matter what it means.
I have now proven to myself that i can go anywhere in the world with my bike.
Hell, even the fact that I'm blogging on Steemit! Something that allows me financially to go on as long as i wish and also sharing my adventures and new lifestyle along the way.
Everything seems to have fallen into place and the limits and barriers i once had going into 2017 are gone. So a big thanks to everybody on Steemit who have been supporting me, it has been a great run with you guys so far!
-holm
Really inspirational story! I would never feel the need to be alone in 5 months cycling but it shows that you should follow your dreams to be happy :) I hope you fulfill even more dreams and wishes in 2018!
Thanks man! We all have our own needs! As long as we follow them we will find happiness!
and we support you that you can make your dream comes true and feel absolute freedom, it was a great year 2017 and upcoming 2018 will brings mote happiness.
2018 will be a blast my friend! Cheers and happy New year!
Your story is really inspiring and motivational, Holm. Keep it up! I want to be as cool as you! :)
You are on steemit, so I'm sure you are already as cool as me, haha!
Bro! What passes did you go through in the Alps? I also cycle toured through Europe this summer, albeit it only 1000km from Vienna to Milan. I'm so excited for 2018 now. I think it's going to be filled with almost unlimited adventures like this. The best part about bike touring is it's pretty much free. It also forces you to hodl if you don't keep stuff on your phone - which is usually a good thing lol!
You should enter the Trans Am Bike Race across America which starts in June. I'm going to be entering. I'm starting to feel like all those people you seeing doing crazy things are probably all crypto holders who are cashing out for some experiences.
Cryptocurrency is going to liberate us from work and will allow us to follow our dreams of exploring the planet. The future is very, very exciting.
yeah man! i honestly don't have names of the passes but when through two in Austria(western part), north west part of Slovenia and also met a big one in Albania close to Greece! yes i completely fell for the life style of touring! also why i try to support your posts. love your videos man.
The pass I went over from Austria to Slovenia was steep. Almost too steep for riding. Headed south from Ferlach, Austria. You had to go through a tunnel across the border at the top? I just started writing up my Alps trip from summer. Got too much stuff to catch up on that I took photos and videos for but haven't put into a proper format for people to enjoy. Gotta get back out touring again soon man! Thanks!
Sounds crazy, no although the pass i took also was at the borders of Slovenia! also felt very steep and long. i think i know a person who went through what you are describing!
hey my friend. First of all: Of course I had known from the beginning you would end up in Romania, because where else...?! Just kidding :-). I feel you for saying that your graduation didn't lead you anywhere, same for me... Have an awesome 2018, happy new year!
yeah sometimes we don't know where we end up! I'm glad i found another path! happy new year bro!
So happy for you man! What an amazing year for you. Kudos for stepping out on a limb and embracing your life.
It's a truly amazing thing freedom. Once you get a taste, you'll always have it and know what it's like and never want to go back.
it's like a drug! hopefully never need to let go of!
Truly feel happy for you! Wish you and your girlfriend a wonderful new year! Keep steem on!😃
thanks man! steemON!
Hey man! I still remember your comment on my introduction post about you traveling through Slovenia. It's been 6 months since that post! Time moves fast.
I am really looking forward to your future adventures and would like to wish you a good luck on your next steemit powered journey! You have and will have my support! It's not much (my upvote) but it will be constant! :)
I wish you two all the best in 2018!
hahaha time moves SO fast man! best of luck in 2018 my friend!
very beautiful photos.
Where did you get such beautiful photos?
My Android phone and a little bit of photography skills;) thanks
This year was truly the best thanks for sharing your expediences all the best for 2018 happy new year keep rocking :D
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Good story... hope it is the start of many more for you!
We support you that you can make your dream comes true.