DAY 51
94KM | 523HM | Ø Temp 26° | Sunny - clear
Σ4154KM | 22834HM
Luxembourgish
The next day my journey took me into the next river valley - along the river Sauer and later the Our. The valley runs directly along the border of the Southern Eifel, and the rivers themselves partly form the border between Germany and Luxembourg - the eighth neighboring country on my journey.
In every country or region I have travelled through so far, I have of course had to get used to the respective greeting - a little ritual that always brought a smile (at least on my part). In the Netherlands it was mostly "Hoi" or "Hi", in Denmark "Hej", in the far north of Germany "Moin", in Austria and Bavaria "Servus", in Switzerland "Grüzi", in France of course "Bonjour", in the Czech Republic "Ahoj" and in Luxembourg I was greeted with a warm "Moien". It is impressive that Luxembourg, as a small country, actually has its own language that combines influences from German, French and Dutch - a real linguistic mix.
But don't worry: At the border with Germany, it was no problem at all to communicate in German. Hurray for the proximity to the border and the linguistic relief!
DAY 52
100KM | 1073HM | Ø Temp 25° | Sunny - clear
Σ4254KM | 23907 HM
Belgium Express
After getting up, I headed straight uphill - literally. The path led me steeply out of the Our Valley onto the official cycle path towards Belgium. I had barely crossed the border when the Our Valley greeted me again - this time with a breathtaking view, followed by a rapid descent that made my legs rejoice. The path meandered through the valley as if it wanted to convince me of its picturesque beauty one last time.
Eventually the route took me onto the Venn Cycle Route - the "Belgium Express" of cycle routes. This well-developed route follows a former railway line, which means that the route is pleasantly flat, asphalted and perfect for a quick ride. I almost felt like an express train rushing through the green Belgian landscape - safe, comfortable and with plenty of wind at my back. The Venn Cycle Route is a real insider tip: picturesque and varied, it runs through the German-Belgian border region and leads straight into the heart of the High Fens. A paradise for every cyclist looking for a mix of nature, speed and relaxed riding.
Monschau
To be honest, I hadn't really thought about Monschau - the little pearl of the Eifel. But then the Venn cycle path led me straight to this picturesque Eifel town, and it was as if I had suddenly been drawn into a journey through time. Framed by gently rolling forests and the soothing sound of the Rur, Monschau is like a hidden gem. Half-timbered houses are crowded together in the narrow, cobbled streets, and a new discovery awaits around every corner - be it a cute shop or a quaint café. A perfect pit stop for cyclists passing through, which tempts you to linger a little longer.
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DAY 53
67KM | 554HM | Ø Temp 19° | Cloudy - Light rain shower
Σ4321KM | 24461HM
Departure to Oranje
From Monschau, I continued on the Vennbahn towards Aachen in a relaxed manner. I noticed immediately that I was leaving the Eifel behind me - because just before Aachen, the route went downhill almost cheekily. When I arrived in Aachen, I treated myself to a tour of the old town with the historic cathedral and a decent portion of food.
Then it was time to head back to the Netherlands. And yes, the trend continued - further downhill! Kilometer after kilometer, I felt the exertions of the last few weeks falling away from me with every meter. When I finally reached the flat land, I wanted to shout "Hurrah!". The crossing into the Netherlands itself was unspectacular, but from the border onwards the Dutch flair hit home again: charming houses, perfectly maintained gardens and of course the dream network of cycle paths that every cyclist dreams of. Wow - what a feeling to be back in the country where my journey began!
I rolled leisurely to Maastricht, where fate blessed me with a spontaneous visit to a festival. Perfect for celebrating this milestone in my journey and transforming myself from a cyclist into a party animal!
DAY 54
103 KM | 321 HM | Ø Temp 24° | Sunny - clear
Σ4424KM | 24782HM
headwind
And the journey continued! This time my route took me along the river Maas. Up until now I had been really lucky with the wind and weather on my tour - but on this day? My luck account seemed to be overdrawn. The headwind had come with full force and decided to make the day really "exciting" for me. Traveling alone with luggage, it felt like I was cycling against an invisible wall. Every pedal stroke was like a small battle. Now and then I sneaked up on a group of cyclists quite unobtrusively, just to catch my breath in the slipstream for a few precious minutes - yes, I admit it, I was a slipstream beggar a few times on the tour.
But let's be honest: headwind? It's like cycling on a treadmill. You pedal and pedal and still feel like you're not making any progress. I'm glad I did the good old climbs. Sure, they make you sweat and your legs burn, but in the end you're rewarded - with a magnificent view and a descent that makes every heart beat faster.
DAY 55
102 KM | 329HM | Ø Temp 27° | Sunny-clear
Σ4526KM | 25111HM
A moment
Today I knew that nothing and no one could stop me from reaching my goal. The wind had taken a liking to me again and was blowing strongly into my back. I was in the flow and was gliding in gentle serpentine lines through the beautiful Maasduinen National Park. The sun was shining pleasantly warm - not as mercilessly as in midsummer. Indian summer was here, and that was exactly my thing!
In Nijmegen, I treated myself to a routine coffee break on the busy market square. The city was full of life - and on a Sunday! I quickly realized that shops are open on Sundays here. Refreshed and satisfied, I continued on - and then came the moment of shock.
Just as I was leaving the city and about to cross the street, there was almost an explosion - here, of all places, in the Netherlands, the Mecca for cyclists! The traffic light turned green for me. But for some reason I hesitated for a moment - maybe a fleeting thought, a distraction, or simply because I was in no hurry or stress. At that very moment, a car sped past at full speed. I stood rooted to the spot and looked at the traffic light again to make sure. Sure enough, I still had the green light, and the light then turned red.
Sometimes your entire life depends on a single, fleeting moment. These moments are usually given in peace and serenity - and not in a hurry.
DAY 56
42 KM | 78HM | Ø Temp 27° | Sunny-cloudy
Σ4568KM | 25189HM
Destination Utrecht
When I woke up, I was immediately overwhelmed by two feelings. Firstly, I had actually completed the trip - and boy, was I proud of myself! Secondly, when I finish this day, this fantastic trip will be over... A bittersweet moment. But hey, the second feeling quickly disappeared - after all, after the trip is before the trip!
Today was just a short stage. I decided to take all the time in the world and started relaxed and late. 45 kilometers lay ahead of me, so I switched to snail's pace mode and enjoyed every second. Why rush when the moment is there to enjoy?
The last few kilometers of my journey may not have been particularly scenic - no dramatic climbs, no breathtaking views or unexpected twists. But inside I was bubbling with excitement. My heart beat faster the closer I got to my destination. Every meter felt like a little journey through the past 56 days full of adventure, effort, ups and downs.
I replayed every moment - the spontaneous encounters with other travelers, the small triumphs when I climbed a steep mountain, and the moments when I simply admired the nature around me. It was as if the whole trip was playing like a film in my mind's eye.
And then the moment came - I rolled back to my starting point. This is exactly where it had all begun. Reality hit me with full force: I had actually done it! All the effort, the sweat, the joy and the perseverance had brought me to this moment. I got off, took a deep breath and an overwhelming feeling of happiness, relief and pride flowed through me. It was an indescribable moment in which I realized how much I had experienced and achieved - a moment that I would carry in my heart forever.
Discover all pictures and routes via kommot
Discover all pictures and routes via kommot
Discover all pictures and routes via kommot
Discover all pictures and routes via kommot