Distance: 57.4 km
Ride time: 3:40:14
Average: 15.7 km/h
Max speed: 35.3 km/h
Total: 58201 km
Day 2200 on the road, 6 years and 8 days since I left Copenhagen with the idea of cycling around the world, and now I was about to finish it all.
My first thought as I started to pack my tent was how much I will miss this nomadic lifestyle. The fresh air, the exercise, the new friends, the extraordinary landscapes of our planet, that fact that all my belongings fit into 3 bags, the hospitality of strangers, and above all the freedom. Then I attached my bags to my bike as I have done so many mornings over the last years. After all, it was time to go home.
The towers at the Cathedral of Roskilde welcomed me proudly to the suburbs of Copenhagen. There was nothing foreign or exotic about the landscapes, and I knew my way by heart; no need to look at maps or the GPS anymore.
For a moment I considered to turn around, make it down through Europe the same way I had just come up, but I realized that this would be the easy solution. For the last six years the predominant goal in my life had been to cycle around the world. When I sometimes stopped for a job or for a break it was always with the thought in the back of my mind that the cycling would continue. Now I would have to find something else to occupy my body and mind with. Perhaps a scary thought at first, but being the optimist that I am, also an exciting position in life. The end of one adventure, but at the same time the beginning of a new.
I had told my family and friends that I would be arriving at Town Hall Square at 4 o’clock, but before that I had a visit to make. I truly wished my mom would have been able to wait for me there at the square together with the rest of my family. Now her presence would have to be more of a spiritual one; after this important stop I could sense her smile from above as I continued on.
It felt utterly strange to be cycling through the busy streets of Copenhagen where other cyclists were going back from work on a perfectly ordinary day. I went to a coffee shop and sat down to savour the moment of being so close to the finish line. The feeling of actually having completed what I sat out to do six years ago, despite all the challenges and all the hardships. The feeling of joy and accomplishment was intense.
I thought about the people I met and the almost unbelievable amount of help and hospitality I have received in every corner of the world. I couldn’t have made it without you and will be forever grateful. Thank you. If you take one thing away from all of this, it should be: The world is a much better place than the media would make you think these days.
I then turned around the final corner and cycled into the Town Hall Square where my family and friends were waiting. This has been the best six years of my life. Thanks for letting me share them with you.
An end to an exciting journey. Glad I could be here with you Thomas!
Hi Matthew. The pleasure was all mine. Thanks for coming along 🙂
Thomas
Wow Thomas, what a wonderful journey you had and what an experience you gave all of us here following you. Thank you so much for all the beautiful stories and pictures, I will forever be greatful!!! God Bless You!!
Hi Suzanne. Thank you for the nice words – it was always a great pleasure to read your comments.
Best wishes,
Thomas
Thomas, thank you so much for going on your adventure and documenting it with this blog. I discovered it in July of 2015 when you were in Bolivia, and after reading every single blog post like a book, I have checked back on the website daily and have read every update since you were on the salt flats in Bolivia. Your trip has been nothing short of unbelievably inspiring and I’ve learned so much about our planet and the people inhabiting it thanks to you. It may have seemed like you were quite alone on those long rides but I’m sure I can speak for all of your readers when I say that we all felt like we were there with you with your descriptive and photo-filled updates! I am sad that the blog adventure is over but I’m extremely happy for you and can’t wait to hear about your next adventures. If you ever make it back to Chicago, please let me know. Congratulations, take care and thank you!
Hi Tyler! Thanks a lot for the nice words and for the moral support over the years, ever since the Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia (what a special place!). It really did make a big difference to have you guys on the sideline on those lonely parts. I will certainly let you know if I one day make it to Chicago, and watch this space for more (but shorter) adventures in the future 🙂
Thomas
One word: Legendary!
Thank you, Thomas, for showing the rest of the world that dreams can become reality and that, in spite of our differences, we peoples of the Earth are united by our common humanity.
And thank you, Morten, for the moral support since Day 1 (yes, you actually did write a comment on the first blog post in 2010!). Our world is indeed much better than we think, and in these days thats an important message to share. Best wishes from Colombia!
I’ve said it all before, but I’ll say it again. What an absolute honour it’s been to follow your trip. Looking forward to your further adventures. And looking forward to experiencing my own!
Hi Stephen! I have also said this before – thank you so much for all the nice comments over the years. I really enjoyed waking up somewhere in America, Africa, or Europe to read them. Will be looking forward to follow you own RTW trip. Best wishes from Cali, Colombia.
Thomas
Thank you so much for all your blog posts! They have been incredibly inspiring. I’m seriously thinking of cycling the Americas in a couple of years, and I’m sure that once I start, I will definitely look back at your blog for tips! I think you are too modest about your photos by the way – there are some brilliant ones here! You should do one more blog post to show the best pictures you took, with the stories behind them 😉
Looking forward to seeing your final statistics!
By the way, what software did you use to make all your videos of the different continents?
Best wishes from the United Kingdom!
Hi Lucy!
Thanks a lot for nice comment, and great idea with a post about my favourite photos. I imagine I will be putting up some posts like that over the next months, so stay tuned 🙂 I used Microsoft MovieMaker to do the movies from the different continents. Best wishes from Cali, Colombia.
Thomas
Congratulations on achieving your goal.
What am I going to look forward to in my blog roll now?
Hi Randy. Thanks a lot, and also thanks for following along right from the beginning of this trip. Great to stop by for a visit back in 2015. Oh, and check back here from time to time. There will be new stories coming up, but first a little break.
Thomas
And so this story has come to an end. I’m sure new stories will follow. 🙂
Anyway, it has been a real pleasure to follow your bike ride all along. As others said: it was inspiring.
Wish you all the best and thank you for sharing your stories, your thoughts, your pictures.
Peter
Hi Peter. I’m sure you are right – new stories will follow, already have a fews ideas on my mind, but first a little break 🙂 Thanks for the nice words of encouragement along the way. Best wishes from Cali, Colombia.
Thomas
I have been glued to your story ever since becoming aware of it (via Dipolio, of course). As others have said, your pictures have been amazing and I look forward to the book! I’m going to miss opening up my email every day and reading the latest blog post(s)!! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Scott! Thanks a lot for the nice words, the pleasure was all mine. Say hi to Mr. Dipolio, and see you all at Dayton sooner rather than later 🙂
Thomas
Thomas, I will miss you daily updates. Good luck with whatever you now choose to do. Best wishes Martin
Hi Martin! The pleasure was all mine. Thanks a lot for the support during the years – it really helped keeping the wheels moving 🙂 Best wishes from Colomba, Thomas.
Wow. Thank you.
(Looking forward to your book!)
And thank you, Marie, for all the nice comments, from Day 1 and through all those years 🙂 Hope you are doing great. Greetings from Cali, Colombia 🙂
Thomas
Thank you for cheering it all.
Dag
Thanks for the nice comment, Dag. Best wishes,
Thomas.
Congratulations on the completion of your journey. Following your story the last few months has been a blessing. Tolkien said it well, “All that wander are not lost.” May God guide you to the next adventure, be it at home or on the road. 73.
Thanks a lot Berry – glad you liked the updates. Best wishes,
Thomas OZ1AA
It’s been an absolute pleasure to follow your cycling blog from 2010. It’s been the most enjoyable read over the years. I sure will miss it having just caught up today! I wish you all the best Thomas and look forward to your book.
John
Hi John. Thanks for the nice message, I’m glad to know you enjoyed the updates from out there on the road. Now I’m resting the legs.. and then, stay tuned for news on the book later in 2017 🙂 Best wishes, Thomas
Congrats, you have been an inspiration.
Makes me hope I live to 71 years and 8 days.
🙂
Thanks a lot Vlad 🙂