Overview
It has been quite a long time since I updated anything here, and I can tell you a lot has happened. I have driven more than 4000 km, met lots and lots of new people. Everyone deserving a separate chapter in this blog. However, that will not happen. I will try to mention them all, but I don't remember everyones name. To anyone reading this post, I hope you take no offense.
Portugal
So after I left Surferscamp for the first time, I went to Manteigas in the heart of Portugal. The heart of Portugal, is however scorching hot and the three forest fires I saw on the way only added to my conviction that the coast is a far better place to be. I then straight shot it to Faro, a small little town on the very south. There I met Katherine, from Germany. She was working at the hostel and we hung out for the rest of the evening. From Faro I went to Sagres, the end of the world. At the very tip of Portugal, I am the furthest I have been away from home on my bike. This is the start of my return journey. At Sagres I stay at a surfers hostel, meeting two dutch girls which I can not remember the name of, but they w
here nice enough to make dinner with me. From Sagres I go Lisbon and meet up with two Italians, Davide and Matteo. Also Matthew the South African is there. We have a blast in Lisbon, partying like there is no tomorrow. With a hungover spirit, I go to the Peniche, the iconic surf spot of Portugal. The hostel is empty if not for two workers, the Australian and British. Good people, but I don't stay long enough to remember their names. After Peniche I go back to Surferscamp, and is greeted by familiar faces, such as Miguel, Anna Maria, Barbora and Michelle. There are some new ones as well. The Mexicans Eric and Rafael, A new Swizz girl, Katrin and Tetiana from Ukraine. I stay for a few nights, surf a little and swap stories, before I continue north. I only stop in Porto for a new front tire before I leave Portugal.
Spain
A nice thing about doing a return journey, is that many of the great people you met on the way, is on that same way. While I traveling south I met Gemma, a Spanish biker. I now meet up with her in Bilbao and we go out with some of here friends for a proper lost in translation moment. Good fun! I also meet Jon, from England. We go together to the Guggenheim museum. While people who know me, know that my appreciation for art is rather limited, I do manage to enjoy this strange and modern art gallery.
France
In France, my first stop is Bordeaux and besides it being my most expensive hotel for the trip, I leave with no specific memory. Might have to go back one day. This time I can't be bothered. The leaves are changing colour and the air getting colder. Fall is coming and I am missing home. Besides I have other important things to do. Such as dropping my beloved smart phone in the asphalt. With a busted screen I gun it for Paris and a more "civilized" society. Here I check in at a hostel and get to know a German girl called Francisca. We go through Paris and see some sights. The day after, Sophie arrive, and we have a great time going through the sights like Louvre, Eiffel tower, Versailles, and a CHROME TYRANNOSAURUS REX (How awesome is that?).
Switzerland
From Paris to Switzerland. There I meet up with Simon and Anna. While Anna has to leave for east Europe somewhere, Simon shows me the great city of Zurich. From Zurich I travel to Bern and meet Katrin, who shows me around. The last thing I do in Switzerland is getting new chain and sprockets which are worn down to the brink of snapping. Could have been interesting on the swizz highway.
Germany
With a new chain sprockets and an otherwise positive outlook on life, I move north through the black forest (ooooo..... ). The positive outlook can be explained by going from a bike with a horrible clatter from the chain to a bike running smooth as silk, my world becomes a whole lot better. After a very dark and cold ride I arrive in Karlsruhe where I visit my old flatmate Thomas. I also meet up with Eric, the Mexican. While Thomas is working I go for a spirited ride through the black forest where I stumble upon a handful of bikers, including Franzi, Marc and Andreas. They show me around to some great roads and my trusted iron steed roars of joy underneath me.
I then go the infamous track in Nurburgring, Nordschleife, the Green Hell. This place is worth to take notice for several reasons. One, because it is the longest, most dangerous, craziest race track in the world. Well not race track, but a very expensive toll roads with no speed limit and one way driving. Two, I meet some fantastic people here. First there is Kim, the Dane. He drives around in his Porsche 997 GT2 with a gazillion horse powers and a road grip better than crazy glue. Since I am a newbie at the track, he offers (after talking for about 10 minutes) to take me in his car around the track for a few laps. How awesome is that? Then there is Michael and Lisa, which are on an epic road trip on their own, with a Porsche 996. Finally there is the crazy American republican millionaire, need I say more. The next day Kim takes me out riding with Michael and Lisa waving us of through the entrance, and I'll tell ya, this is the ride of my life. The shear violence in acceleration, turning and breaking leaves me sweating after three laps. I then step out of the car and let Kim play around with a 1/10th of ton lighter car. It would have been time for me to take my bike out, but after overlooking a way to worn tire, I do not dare to take her out. Me Michael and Lisa end up hanging out the rest of the day, talking about cars and everything else. So thanks to Michael, Lisa and Kim. The visit to Nurburg would have nothing without you.
From Nurburg I move (with new tire and as stitched up leather suit) to Osnabrück and visit Katherine, where we share a few bottles of rum with flatmates and neighbors. At the moment I am sitting in Lubeck. Visiting Sophie, Martin, Tibi, and other friends I have here. The trip is almost over, but there are still a few chapters left to be written.....
