On the European Divide Trail

Day 8: 15 June 2024, 90 km, 230 hm

The first day on the European Divide Trail. This is a route that Andy Cox put together and that I want to follow to the Norwegian-Russian border. The trail runs right behind Martina’s house and I don’t have to ride 50 metres to find it.

I know that I don’t have to ride very far today – I can’t manage 200 km all the way to Hamburg to Marei in one day, and over two days they are then very generously divided. So I set off from Hannover at around 12 o’clock, saying a heartfelt goodbye to Martina and Mo. Now the road gets really exciting. Andy Cox has put together a really varied route, along paths that are just about passable with my bike – but it’s hard work. For the first time, I have to fight mosquitoes and only stop as briefly as necessary. The Arabic sweets that Mo’s mother brought with her crumble quickly during the journey, but they still taste delicious.

The lady I ring at to ask for a place to sleep doesn’t seem very enthusiastic about my request. Nevertheless, she allows me to spend the night in a field. I decide not to put up a tent – I want to keep it dry.

Get out of Hanover!