On Saturday 2 July 2022 I will start my second season (S2-2022) of Cycling Adventure 15 (CA15). In 15 seasons I cycle in 5 continents of the world. My goal is to cycle an average of 2700 km per year in different countries so that after 15 seasons I have cycled a total of 40.075 km, which corresponds to the circumference of the earth.
During my first season in 2021 I cycled on 15 cycling days from Marbella in the south of Spain via France and Luxembourg to Belgium.
People ask me how I experience such a cycling trip and what the added value is for me
My first season was a fantastic experience. It was the first time for me that I have traveled solo by bicycle for such a long time. People regularly ask me how I experience such a cycling trip and what the added value is for me. I don't have to look long for my answer. During such a cycling trip I had spontaneous and very pleasant encounters with people who each have their own story and are always willing to help you where necessary. In addition, I was confronted with the beautiful nature. Nature makes me realize what really matters in life. If you have experienced the beautiful nature and then make the comparison with the technological evolution that had promised us a better and quieter life, but until now, in my opinion, have not succeeded at all, then my desire is very great to re-enter nature. Search. During the cycling trip I am constantly forced to get out of my comfort zone. The heavy physical exertion gives me positive energy and mental strength afterwards.
My second season starts again in Europe and takes me from my home base Buggenhout to the city of Bergen in faraway Norway. I cycle through the bicycle-friendly Netherlands to Germany. There I pass the international Hanseatic city of Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany. Via Germany I take the ferry to Denmark and cycle to Copenhagen. There I take the ferry to Sweden again, where I first cycle along the south coast. From the coast I cycle north to beautiful Vättern and from there I cycle to the west coast towards Gothenburg. I cycle along the idyllic coast towards Norway to Oslo. From Oslo I cycle straight through Norway towards Bergen. A passage where I have to endure a lot of altimeters. My cycling trip lasts 19 days, of which 16 cycling days and 3 rest days. On July 20 I arrive in Bergen where my family will meet me to enjoy the wonderful Norway together.
During my trip, Incar Dansspektakel is put in the spotlight. Incar Dansspektakel is a fantastic association that helps young people develop their path of 'personal growth' in a contemporary way and is a place where young people can feel at home and develop in many areas together with peers.
Such a long bike trip requires a lot of planning and preparation
There are many aspects to consider in order to organize a multi-day cycling trip. Cycling between 150 and 220 kilometers daily with 17 kilograms of luggage requires specific training. Since I set the bar high in sporting terms, a good basic condition is an absolute precondition. I started training in February. I have undertaken a number of multi-day bike rides with the necessary kilometers.
| Month | Duration | Trip | kilometers | Elevation gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | 2 days | Home base, Flemish Ardennes, Ijzendijke (Netherlands), Belgian coast, Antwerp, home base | 360 | 2100 |
| March | 2 days | Home base, Lille (France), Home base | 340 | 2100 |
| March April | 7 days | Mojacar (Spain) | 640 | 8000 |
| Mei | 2 days | Home base, Boulogne-sur-Mer, home base | 450 | 2400 |
| Mei | 2 days | tour in Belgium for the benefit of Kom op tegen Kanker | 500 | 500 |
In addition to the training sessions, I spent a lot of time planning the route and sleeping places. Since the countries where I stay offer sufficient sleeping accommodations, I don't have to bring any camping equipment with me for this season. In addition, I also spent a few hours working on my bike to learn how to deal with technical defects as well as possible.
During my trip I will be happy to tell my stories. I plan to post stories after the first day (Saturday 2 July) and then during the rest day in Copenhagen (Friday 8 July), Växjö (Tuesday 12 July), Oslo (Sunday 17 July) and after arriving in Bergen (Thurs 21 July ).