After two weeks of carbo-loading on incredible bread and cakes in Norway we felt ready to hit the road for Denmark and start our tandem bike journey through Europe. It was sad to leave Norway and all the family we had visited. Thanks to everyone for treating us so well and helping us get ready for this last chapter of our away4now trip.
It was 4 months ago in Manly, Australia when we rented bikes for the afternoon and had this crazy idea to tour Europe in the fall on tandems. Hard to believe that this day has now come when we’re ready to start cycling!! Thank you everyone for your comments with suggested bike names for us. We’ve settled on ‘Flower Power’ for Kari & Vea, and ‘Gutten Boys’ for Norrie and Kai (Gutten is Norwegian for ‘boy’ – so we’re the ‘two boys’). Thanks Terje for the Gutten Boys name suggestion – we hope we do you proud.
We left Horten early in the morning on Sept. 16th to catch the 4 hour ferry from Larvik, Norway to Hirtshalls, Denmark. It was a bit complicated getting to the ferry with our loaded tandems, but with everyones help it went smoothly and we were excited to be on our way.
On arrival in Hirtshalls we were greeted right at the dock by John and Beth. It was so amazing to see them standing there with big smiles and open arms when we walked our bikes off the ferry. After some long hugs and a quick catch up chat, we got right on the road and started cycling north toward the tip of Denmark at Skagen. Along the way we came across incredible beaches and the Radbjerg Mile sand dunes which made for a great first lunch spot. Kai loved racing Vea up and down the sand dunes and Vea loved having a mile of sand to practice endless cartwheels.
Denmark is certainly a cycling paradise with all the dedicated well-marked bike routes throughout the whole country. One moment we would be on a wide cycle path alongside a road, then another moment through a narrow farm field trail or through the woods on a single track.
Kari has been our trusted translator while booking accommodations or asking for directions. Norwegian and Danish languages are similar enough that she can converse confidently – but there are times when the Danish language is so unique and foreign that Kari cannot understand a single word. Danes and Norwegians are always joking with each other over their language differences.
We always ended our days with a beer or wine and Gammeldansk along with the cycle map to plan our next day. We decided to not be too focused on covering too many kilometres – but instead enjoyed the small rural towns, scenery and ‘pedal conversation’ that can only be fully appreciated and enjoyed on a bicycle. We did however have one long day of riding which totalled about 75 km on the east coast. In celebration of such a long ride we decided to buy a bottle of wine that matched the cost to the kilometres of the day. We enjoyed the 75 kroner bottle of red and had a laugh thinking about how expensive a similar good bottle of wine would have cost in Norway!!
Our cycle route took us down the east coast to Hadsund where we decided to hop on a train towards the southern Island of Fyn which we’ve heard is a beautiful area to explore by bike. Taking our tandem bikes on the train took some planning and worrying. We weren’t sure if they would even fit in the train! But everything turned out fine with everyone having their assigned tasks for the loading of panniers and bikes during the quick stop at the station.
We had a great time cycling in Fyn and we’ve been so lucky with amazing sunny warm days and gentle winds. Denmark is having a ‘late summer’ just like Norway! This is such a beautiful time to cycle in the autumn with leaves on the ground, crisp air and the smell of wood burning stoves. There was only one day with strong winds which happened to be a day off to rest our soar muscles. We took advantage of the windy day to fly a beautiful kite with Kai and Vea in the farmers field where we were staying.
It’s been so nice to have this time cycling in Denmark with John and Beth. Some of our most memorable moments have been things like stopping for coffees and Danish pastries along our route, making simple dinners with good music and great conversation, and just getting caught up. Eventually we had to part ways. They made their way back to Coppenhagen to catch their flight back to Canada via Iceland, while we carried on exploring Fyn’s southern coast.
We’ve always dreamed about doing a European bike tour since we started our annual summer cycle trips when Kai and Vea were only 4 and 2 years old. Thank you John and Beth for an amazing time together these past twelve days in Denmark.
Here’s some more photos from two amazing weeks cycling in Denmark with John and Beth.
All 4 now.
We had Dad and Beth up for dinner last night and the were glowing as they shared wonderful stories of your cycling adventure together… Loved the slide show too!!! Amazing! Happy cycling !! Xoxo
It was truly an incredible time cycling with Dad and Beth in Denmark. We feel so fortunate that we were able to share those two weeks with them.
Just got the Away4now from the Denmark trip. Beth and I looked at it over breakfast and had many smiles as the pictures reminded us of that memorable trip. One word of caution. Do not try to do with bikes in Iceland as we did in Denmark! Iceland is not bike friendly, though the people are amazing.
Dad and Beth
Thanks Dad and Beth. I don’t think we’ll have our bikes with us by the time we get to Iceland. Hoping to sell them in Italy before we make our way home. Denmark was an incredible time with you both. The bar is set high for the next cycle trip!!
WOW! Absolutely incredible…on every level. In awe of you, Matthews!!!!!! <3
Thanks Natasha. We’re looking forward to seeing you in December!!!
STUNNING PHOTOS, AS USUAL!!!
Thanks again Natasha!
Another beautiful countryside to see through the Matthews “cycle of life” post, and those smiles say it all, simply amazing!
Marion and Tim
Love the ‘cycle of life’ analogy Marion. Thanks!
So amazing and fun. I have to ask.. are your buns sore?lol. Enjoy the rest of Europe.
Buns were sore for the first 2 weeks – but now we’ve got our bike saddles all worked in!
Looks like a great trip! Beautiful pictures, Norrie! xoxoxo
Your journey has been amazing. Everyone looks great.
The pictures are lovely and we await more of the same.
Love and Hugs
Thanks Carole. Hope to see you sometime in the near future!
More pictures of Denmark please. If there was any place I wish I could go this place would be it 🙂
Hey Craig. I’ll have thousands of photos to share with you when we’re back home in the new year!!
You guys are going to have buns of steel when you arrive home! lol Happy travels you guys! 🙂
Amazing photos!! Glad you all had such a good time. Norrie, check your Facebook messages – I am missing my Matthews and would love to have a Thanksgiving FaceTime this weekend!! 🙂
Thanks Malia. Can’t wait to catch up with you somewhere in Europe!!