I had some windy days going through the Netherlands and Belgium. After I entered France in the evening the weather became better. I'm in Lille now. I found some nice people to host me for some days. Thanks for your help and the good dinner.

I'll go to Calais on the 7th.

I had a fine day going from Lille to Calais. There was no wind and a nice sunshine. I arrived there in the late afternoon and took the ferry to Dover the next morning.

On the way to London I took a break in Canterbury. It's a tiny City with its great  Cathedral in the centre and a fabulous Youth Hostel.

Going to London was no fun anymore. The trail was crossing a highway several times and even led me on it.

I was so happy by seeing the "Tower Bridge" that I started smiling while doing the last steps towards it.

I will leave on tuesday, heading west to Stonhenge.

I did the first 1000 km by bike. Right in the City Centre of Newport/ Wales, it jumped into the thousands.

After I left London one week ago I found myself camping most of the nights. it is freezing and my tente is covered with ice in the morning.

I stayed in a hostel in Bath/ England after visiting the terrific Stonehenge circles.

On my way crossing Wales I went to Cardiff. A City built to come back someday.

In Pembroke I entered the fery going to Ireland. After arriving in the early morning I cycled 160 Km to sleep in a real bed in Dublin. I croosed the cityborders right in time and, like in London, with the last sunshine behind me.

I'll stay here for some days, overlooking my bike and my kit.

I'm still in Dublin. I went to a hostel the first nights before moving to Sara. She's living in a house near the Dublin Stadium together with her nine friends. I met her on my trip to Asia in 2006 and she inveted me to dublin. Alltogether it was great fun in such a crowded house. THANKS FOR ALL

At my arival last week I ran right into some bike couriers and we went out for a great evening in a pub nearby.

I met some nepali guys, owning a restaurant right in the city centre. So, the next days they invited me for lunch and dinner several times. I can't remember having so good food the last time.

Doing differnt fotoshoots at came to its peak with holding a speech in the full filled restaurant, talking about my trip and the next places to go for.

After resting a whole week I'm on-the-go again. Bellfast is calling and Scotland after that.

Today was the hardest day I ever had on the road. It also was the most suprising and in the end probably the best of all these days.

After camping in snow and rain for the last days I woke up in a wet sleepingbag without breakfast because I run low on money. Climbing up the Scotish Highlands was now fun today. It was like a fight against the strongest wind I've ever seen, the hardest rain and some of the highest mountains to climb on. Up in the Highlands there are no trees to hide and no hills to get a breather out of the wind. It  was like going backwarts if you stop padalling. There was no sun all day and after some minutes out there I could hear the water in my shoes.

After one hour climbing I saw a caravan selling food to the touristbusses crossing this point on their way up to the North. I got a coffee for free and, because it was still breakfast time, some bread with hot ham. Bevore leaving he also gave me some chocolate to get new energie for the way.

After some more hours, doing 10 km/h (7 mph) in a hard fight, I saw something on the horison. It was a lonely walker, doing his way to the next town (sorry, I didn't get your name. Please write me a note). I stopped my bike (was easy in this wind) and we talked for some minutes. He invited me for lunch in a restaurant nearby. I had some tea and the orginal 'Fish and Chips'. I was so out of power that I could hardly take the folk. Finally he gave me some money to dry out in a hostel at my destination in the evening. Re-energized I did the last 25 Km in nearly one hour.

I found a nice hostel including a drying room for all my kit. I got a HOT shower and some food from the 'free shelter' in the kitchen. I'll gonna sleep in a real bed and can start with new power tomorrow doing my way to 'Loch Ness'.

Thanks for this amazing day fighting the nature.

After the 'war' yesterday it was like fun doing the 110 Km (70 miles) today. I spent £ 3 (five Euro) for bread, marmelade ect. and had a good breakfast.

I went to 'Loch Ness' and further up to the North.

I got some problems with my gears just by reaching my destnation. The guys at "highland bicycle" in Inverness fixed it in no time. Thanks for that.

There are two more days going to the ferry to Island.

I'm stuck in Scotland.

On my way to Iceland I took the Orkney ferry in Scrabster and went further on to the Shetlands.

The Ferry to Iceland is cancelled till june, so I had no chance but going back to Aberdeen on the nightferry. I became sick because of the bad weather, so it was a night on the deck outside.

There are two ways to go now. I could wait for the next three month or I could pedal 600 km to Newcastle where taking a boat to Bergen in Norway and another one to Iceland. It might take a few days but should be possible.

So, Norway is the way to go.

In the last days I cycled down the coast. Just after the scotisch- english 'borde' the island seemed like wanted to make me stay. I had to fight hills, wind and rain one more time.

There were steep parts and long serpentines up- and downhill. Adding rain and strong wind from all directions I managed to reach the Newcastle ferryport just to get the next news. The ferry is not running in the evening but tomorrow, giving me one more day to discover the city. After all the sun is shining.

The next connection from Norway to Island seams to be the boat on the 29th of March. I see myself waiting in Bergen for the next ten days if there is no better idea. I hate waiting!

After cruising 28 hours over the North Sea I reached Norway. It was a comfortable ride in a single cabin what is just as good for the price I paid.

It is Easterntime wich means that everything is closed till next tuesday. There is a ferry going to the faroer islands on sunday but it is not possible to buy a ticket.I hope to get it right on the boat. Making the next step I have to wait for the first of April when the Icelandferry starts its service again.

Bergen is buried under snow, what makes camping not easier comparing to the strong wind in Scotland.

Finaly I did leave the British Island. What a great success.

Surprisly I got a ticket for the easterferry to the Faroe Islands. It was delayed because of strong winds and we had plus seven hours when arriving in Torshavn. The cruise was worse than the last one to Aberdeen but I felt great all the time. I even got a great free lunch (because of the delay).

The night was like being back on the Titanic. I had a dorm in the very inside of the boat. Going there I had to pass two doors, made of steal and opening with a loud noise and warning yellow flashlights.

Fortunatly it was just mew sleeping in the nie- bed dorm of 3x 3 metre. I had a great night and slept nearly eight hours.

Torshavn is the world's smallest Capital. There are 19.000 people living here. The Faroers are part of the danish kindom.

The Islands have their own flag, own language and an own parlament. There is also a discussion about their independence. FREE FAROER

The fishing industrie makes 97% of the 'country'.

In the summer some there can be seen some surfer on the beach. A US Surfermagazin recomended the Faroers as a excelent surfing spot. There are 1.100 Kilometre of coast.

The hostel's employees had good informations and helped me in every way to get a further connection. Thanks for that! After visiting the EIMSKIP office I got an O.K. for a cargoboat heading for Iceland.

I went to the harbour this mornig to get the information that I did't inform the owner of the ship but of the containers. So, the captain didn't get permission to take me as a passenger.

That was my mistake, stupid fool.

There is the first ferry of the season cruising to Iceland on monday evening. So, I'm on.

I'm in Reykjavik. It is going to be springtime here. The warming sun is coming up and the snow is melting.

I found a vessel going to Canada in the beginning of May. The captain as well as the owner (this time) accepted me as a passenger. So I've some more days to explore Iceland before leaving Europe.

I met some traveller who invited me to saty in their flat for the next days. I can't thank this once again.

Here are some pictures of their journeys in South America:

http://www.biking-south.blogspot.com/

http://www.brasiliufarinn.blogspot.com/

After returning to Reykjavik the last days in Iceland have come.

Last week I replaced my bike by a car to do a round- the- island trip with Karo.

We had some funny days, touring all the tourist things.

We tried to meet Rosie, She has been running around the world for the last years and is on her last leg back home to England. Unfortunally she had to go to hospital and we just met her trailer.

take a look at her homepage

Back in Reykjavik I got a package from my mum. Now I'm ready to face my next leg, doing Canada and USA.

Like this island is a special place in the ocean, it is in my rides' history. Once again it is just a "Thank you" to the people I met here. For their help, their kindness and for giving me an unforgetable time.

I'm in Canada.

It was a spontanious idea because I didn't want to wait for the boat going in one month and there is also no connection going to Greenland till June.
 

Leaving Reykjavik, I flew to Halifax in Nova Scotia/ Canada. We went high over Greenland wich was a strange feeling by seeing just a great, white area.

The first day of icelandic summer was still winter in Canda. Snow with -7 °C.

The Canadian customs officers were very friendly, but they also took their job very seriously. Each  bag was checked and unpacked completely. After more than an hour I could finally push my bike without any problems through the safety lock and into the Canadian continent. 

The first few days in Canada went well, although I have to admit that the wind does not care where I am in the world, it is always already there.

Tonight I am gonna spend my first time in a Hostel in Canada. I think I have found the best place to start with: C'mon Inn Hostel Moncton/ New Brunswick.

This translation was made by Sonja, thanks for that.

I am in Quebec, relaxing in this buzzing City.

In daytime, summer warms the country, but at night it is still about 0°C. There are some regions still covered with snow. The last days I cycled the Canadian Highways at 20°C and sun. CAmping was easy on 'out of season' closed campgrounds.

The melting snow brings the flood to the cities down the St. Lorenz River and I had to do some loops to reach the coastline again.

Going with the sun makes it easy and someday I nearly doubled my normal days' pensum, up to 180km / day.

The Icehockey Worldchampionship takes place in Quebec City and I took the chance to watch a live match. I did't know it is such a fast game.

Sweden - Denmark   8:1

... Then, it happend. The worst case! I lost my bike computer!

On my way through the shops I met Pierre, a crazy guy with some extraordinary bikes in his shop right on the main street.

He took a look on my bike , and the ROHLOFF HUB right away.

My first american Metropolis. There are about four million people living in greater Montreal.

There is the spectacular "underground city" with its 29 km tunnelsystem. You can find shops, bars and art galleries.

I spend some hot, sunny days right on foot of 'Mont Royal'. Eric, an old friend from Übach- Palenberg (near Aachen/ Germany) contacted me about my website to invite me to his apartment near the Montreal city centre.

It happened a lot after leaving Montreal. It went different to my plans, but better.

I went 150 Km and found a great campground in a Statepark. It was 25 Dollar, wich is way to much for a piece of gras. I went to another spot. A sandy beach at the St. Jones River.

Two Rangers woke me up in the middle of the ight to tell me that it is illegal to camp off the official campgrounds. After one minute they agreed to allow it for this one night. It was a save night once again.

Next morning I met a elderly couple on their way along the river. We went on together for the day and I really enjoyed their company.

After spending the night on a big campground we crosseda bridge to the US the next morning.

Another day and the another night went by before we took a ferry back to Canada.

After two and a half days of cycling we separated and I did another 50 KM to the west.

While looking for a spot to camp a nice family invited my to set my tent in thair garden. Great people!

The next night I spent on a campground right on a sandy beach at Lake Ontario. A caravan owner and his wife invited me for dinner and breakfast in their car. these were great pancakes!!!

The 120 Km to Toronto took me six hours.  

After a 160 km friday I reached my last goal in Canada: The Niagara falls.

Outside of the city of 'Niagara falls' the bikepath leads through forests and along some parks. It was great to reach 'the falls' this slowly.

The city itself is a small version of Las Vegas. There is a Casino, Shows, and a lot of  fast food.

I will cross over to the US tomorrow. New York City, I'm on the way!

June 1st 2008

New York City, NY/ USA

I crossed the State of New York from the most north- western point, Buffolo to New York City in the very west..   It was a tough ride with temperatures in the 80s (more than 25°C ). I didn't know there are that much hills in the countryside.   The bordercrossing was one of the fastest I've ever had. After crossing the Peacebridge in Buffolo I was guided to a seperate bike lane with a special counter. Because of my crossing two weeks before (for one day) I didn't even get a stamp this time. The whole procedure took less than one minute.   My Campsites variegated from truckstops, over Stateparks to a night on sportsground of the  New York Military Akademie in Cornwall, NY.   I had a great night at the "Willow Bank Yacht Club". It was not just camping on theit territory,  I also got hot dogs for dinner.   I got a scary surprise at my third days' breakfast. I went to a parc next to the court. Suddenly some policecars and two busses stopped next to me. A group of teenager went off. Handcuffed and dressed in orange suits and blue shoes. They went along, to the courthouse. It was a strange feeling, holding my worldmap and thinking about travelling while these guys will maybe go to jail, maybe forever.   A special thanks goes to the village of Margaretville. After visiting the major, I got permission for camping in the park. For dinner I got an invitation at the "Sommerfields Restaurant" by the french chef and his kind team.   After 5590 km and four month on the road, it happened! Under my frontwheel a beerbottle broke and so did my dream of a breakdown- free trip.   After 800 km on US- Streets the George- Washington Bridge over the Hudson River became my biggest city gate so far. On a sunday afternoon I cruised down Broadway, along the Central Parc to the Statue of Liberty.     June 5th 2008 Atlantic City, NJ/ USA   I made it to Quincy Ave. My bike is locked outside and unpacked.   After nearly 6.400 km I give myself a break near "little Las Vegas" on the eastcoast. Mark and his family offered me a place to stay. Here, my is stored for the next two month, before continuing further south.   Linda from Riga/ Latvia will fly over June 15th and we will go on a roadtrip around the States till th middle of August.   go to "USA Roadtrip 2008"     After some questions about my Extrawheel trailer, here is the answer. I left some winterclothes and the trailer in Iceland but it will be back on the further Tour down to South America.     August 22nd 2008 Atlantic City, NJ/ USA   It is on  again. After two and a half month I'm back on the bike. In the last days I checked my equipment. Thanks to "AAAA Bike Shop" in Ventor City, NJ I continue my way with new bike sandales and, with a big thanks to "Roeckl", I proudly got new gloves.   A very spezial Thanks goes to Mark, Kelly, Sunny and Jerod for accomodation, food and just a good time.     It goes down south, next stop: Miami Beach.     I congratulate Rosie to her successful run around the world     Aug 29th 2008 Cedar Island, NC/ USA   It's going south. Cycling along the coast brings some changes. Sand, bridges and ferries. There is a word going around I'm already tired of: hurican season. There are some storm going on over the ocean wich brings wind and rain to the coast. So, more fun in garanteed.   Not only the Wright brothers launched their first airplane in North Carolina, also Grave Digger started here to "fly and destroy".   After two days crossing the "outer banks" with rain and strong crosswinds I take a day off in Cedar Island. It is the perfect place to do so because there is nothing to do round here. I pitched the tent right behind the tourist information and Mandy und Menzette are treating me like a son.                             Grave Digger   Don, Cedar Island tourist information   September 12th 2008 Miami, Florida/ USA   I made it to Miami after 2150 km in 18 days cycling. These were tough weeks. I went along the coasts of North- und South Carolina. After a while it became a race against the upcoming storm Hannah wich hit the coast just one day after I left. Crossing the Georgians swamps I worked my way into Florida. On September 7th it was my 27th birthda, also the day I went over the Florida stateline and the day I crossed 8000 km on bike. Hurrikan IKE showed up rarely before turning into the Mexican Gulf.   There are some people I have to thank:  Scooter, for the surfing lesson. The guys of Parker Fuelstations. Leopold's Ice Cream Savannah, Georgia. The Oak Hill Fire Department. St. Barts Coffee Co. Ft. Lauderdale.   I will take a rest before getting things set for the carribean Islands.   At the beach   Welcome to Florida   Happy Birthday   September 23rd 2008 Key West, Florida/ USA   There was no way to leave Miami by boat, so I decided to go south, finishing Highway 1 in Key West. I did 270 km (180 miles) in two days with a great night at the Islamorada Fire Department. Thanks for dinner, breakfast and a hot shower. In Key West I checked into the same hostel Linda and I did three month ago. Unfortually is September the lowest tourist month and the marinas where almost empty. At least all the Tourist and Boatoperator knew me after some days asking around. I hope to be lucky within the next days. Firestation Islamorada, Florida Sunset Celebration, Key West Okt. 3rd 2008 Mexico City, Mexico I left Key West after five days. There were no boats at all. After some more days in Miami I booked a flight to Mexico City to see something else. I spend some funny days in the worlds biggest city. My bike is still in Miami from where I will continue my trip very soon. I stay in Amigo Hostel, downtown Mexico City. Mexico is not dangerous like I was told. I didn't see any gangster in the last days.r Ausfluege noch nicht ausgeraubt. A visit to the pyramids of Teotihuacan was the last days highlight. Plaza Central, Mexico City Taxi Tequilla Party, Hostel Amigo Teotihuacan Azteks pyramids, greater Mexico City   ... even in Mexico Okt 19th 2008 Kingston, Jamaica After returning to Miami it took a week before starting my next trip. this time I went to Jamaica. Kingston is the most dangerous place in Jamaica. So, I took a knife when exploring downtown. Unfortually I got into a police razia and got searched by heavy armed policemen. they found the knife and arrested me for carrying a weapon. Owning a knife in Jamaica is illigal. I pretended to have no idea about the jamaican laws. After a long discussion I was let go, without the knife. The following days started much better and I went around the Island using public transport. I went to the Dunn's River waterfalls and the cliffs of Negril. I spent wonderfull days at white beaches and lightblue water. I decided to cross Central America, reaching the South. So, I will continue my way to Mexico and Guatemala. After one and a hlaf month I'm back on the bike. Next stop, Mexico, in 2000 km. Bob Marley Museum Kingston Last picture before taking away by the police, Kingston Dunn's River Waterfalls Negril Beach, East Jamaika Nov. 4th 2008 Waveland, Mississippi, USA IUt has been a while since my last entry. I worked my way along the gulfcoast, going north/ west. The Florida westside is totally different to the westcoast. Cattle, Forest and Swamps do rather remember of the northern states than the 'Sunshine State'. The temperatures went down to 0'C at night, making me take my big sleepingbag. I've some company on the road. Raul is going coast to coast, doing a diet trip for six weeks and 2800 miles. He is loosing two pounds a day cycling 60 to 80 miles. The goal: loosing 100 pounds when arriving in Los Angeles. There are still areas destroyed by the bad hurricane 2005. We stay in a volunteer camp to get our batteries charged up. www.dreamfuelms.org Everglades, Florida Eastbay Raceway Park, Florida Wal Mart fun Raul after two weeks on the bike Oil in the mexican Gulf Going to Mississippi Nov. 14th 2008 Lake Jackson, Texas, USA There are some more miles gone down the road. After crossing Mississippi we went into Lousiana and had some low days because of some major problems with Rauls bike. After another Upgrade with a new chain and gears we were on the road again. He also got a new stove, mattress, and bags. The next day we did 185km. We finished Lousiana in an All- you- can- eat Pancake house. Maybe not the best idea for breakfast and the reason for only 60km at this day. It is not good cycling with a full stomach nor is it with a full Raul. Crossing into Texas we had one more night camping at a trucksop before splitting up the next morning. Raul is on his way west. he lost 50 pounds in the first three weeks on the bike. whenever you do a diet, think about a biketour coast to coast. My route went down south into the Galveston Area wich was hit badly by hurricane IKE some weeks ago. I crossed former cities, deleted by the storm. It was the most depressing ride I ever had. The curfue doesn't allowed free camping and it was easy to find a spot in the region. It was the firestation of "Hitchcock" offering me a roof. little bit scary, isnt't it :-) We are proud   The way to Galveston: Nov 27th 2008 Mexico City, Mexico I'm back in the worlds biggest city. I left my bike in a church some hundret kilometer away. Now it is time for "holiday" There is a story to tell crossing into Mexico. After some off days at the EMS station in Raymondville, Texas I went back onj bike and to the border. People kept telling my about the danger. About guns, badidos, Drugwar and even warnt me for police. Do not trust anybody! I left my touristcard after almost six month on American shore. There was almost no traffic on the bridge and I got my papers within some minutes on the mexican side.  And there he goes. I left the border without any search of my bags. where was all the danger??? BorderMexico looks the same than USA. Mc Donalds next to Burger King next to Wal Mart and Pizza Hut. It took me ten minutes to leave the city No shooting, no robberies and not even a bagger were in sight. The police were waving and showing the „Victory“ sign. Viva Mexico. People were smiling and trucks honking when I passed them. There was no sign of all the bad stuff making me nervos for the last week. The first test was a road blockade after 90 km. I just passed thru with happy waving policeman with automatic guns. have a good trip. I spend the nights at church property. this is always a safe place to sleep. EMS Station Raymondville, Texas, USA It might be dangerous over there There are two worlds Dec. 4th 2008 Flores, Guatemala Some pics... Welcome to Mexico The worlds biggest tree... so they say Misol ha parrot STUDIOSUS Travel on the way to Guatemala