I’m still going strong until a quarter to three. Then I stop. I realise that the shop where I want to pick up my e-reader only opens until 7 p.m. That means I have four hours if I want to pick it up today. I still have 80 km and a few hundred metres of altitude to go, so I really get pedalling. It’s fun to fly through the countryside, but I’m only sad once, when I don’t stop for a lake, and once for a kiosk. I have music in my ears, which has accompanied me for years during sports, the rhythm drives me forward.
Exhausted and happy, I sit there when the e-reader is picked up. I really want to go swimming and drink non-alcoholic beer. I look for a place to swim and a supermarket - but I miscalculate. And I only realise this halfway there. To catch the supermarket before 8, I then pedal full speed ahead again. The only thing that keeps me going during this sprint is the anticipation of my beer. I arrive on time, stock up on beer, ice cream, crisps and strawberries.
From there I drive back to the bathing area, jump into the water and feel deeply relaxed. I also eat dinner there and make myself comfortable. The golden light puts a smile on my face.
The rush was a stark contrast to the calm of my morning. I had breakfast with the horse ladies – it was delicious. Eggs from our own hens, cheese from the neighbouring dairy, homemade jams, bread from my sister-in-law. And a very special speciality: schnapps, flavoured with salty liquorice. I took a tiny sip, but I don’t need this piece of Danish culture in my life – neither alcohol in the morning nor salty liquorice.
After setting off, I have to adjust the derailleur again, but hopefully for the last time. Then I just cycle along, looking for a nice place to have lunch at some point. I even take the time to fry my tuna. I have no reception here, so I still don’t know how tight my afternoon will be.
With all that I have experienced, the morning feels so far away. I ride the last few metres to my shelter for the night, a deer almost jumps in front of my bike. I feel content, happy about the enjoyment I have had in the morning and evening, happy about the intensity and physical challenge in between.
