Cycling the European Divide

[mspath]

Here is a great cycling reportage published in The Guardian 8 June 2023 by Jacob Martin re a 7,600km ride along the European Divide.

‘Only 11 other people have completed it’: cycling the 7,600km European Divide

From the Norwegian fjords to the mountains of Portugal, this epic bikepacking adventure through nine countries has beauty – and challenges – in spades

www.theguardian.com

 

[JabbaPapa]

Think I was there on my last Camino, Spring 2019 part of it (it's Catalonia) :

Other direction though.

 

[Corned Beef]

And here are just a few of the lessons I learned: civilisation isn’t civilised; there will be problems – the trail will teach you how to fix them; bring a full roll of duct tape; never pass a good swim spot; lube your chain; eat, eat, eat. And most importantly: strangers make great friends.

The comment caught my eye as it applies to any camino

- "there will be problems – the trail will teach you how to fix them"

- "strangers make great friends."

Swimming, eating and the use of duct tape may also be involved on a camino but can't make "lube your chain" fit.

 

[Stephan the Painter]

Here is a great cycling reportage published in The Guardian 8 June 2023 by Jacob Martin re a 7,600km ride along the European Divide.

How interesting! I bet a few people here are already thinking about walking it...

 

[mspath]

How interesting! I bet a few people here are already thinking about walking it...

Indeed. If I were younger I'd love trying; now at 84 I still like reading about biking.
Summer 1959 when 20 I biked using 3 speeds from London to Rome in four months.Wore no helmet, simple clothes and used canvas paniers but after walking up the Alps the 80 km descent into Nice was great.
Most importantly I learned not only how to patch tyres but the importance of tenacity and the simple pleasure of following a dream to make it come true.
...Even then it was Ultreia.

 

[islandwalker]

What a great adventure, @mspath! Thanks for sharing your story and the article.
A similarly challenging mountain bike route in Spain is the 2100 kilometer Ruta TransAndalus. It offers many opportunities to learn the same lessons.