Cycling 1000km to Sweden on my Brompton. Camping in Germany was interesting!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- I cycled to Sweden on my Brompton last summer. It was brilliant to be able to do a longer camping & cycling adventure again. The idea was to ride and meet up with my husband in Sweden (he is Swedish). This was the second section of the journey, through Germany.
For cycling and camping, Germany was very different from the Netherlands. There were far fewer proper campsites in Germany, and I had to wild camp at times. I had my lovely trusty Hilleberg Akto tent and friendly old Trangia stove with me as usual.
I loved this trip, especially because I'd hoped to do it the year before, but my cancer came back, and everything had to wait for a year, whilst that all unfolded and I had an operation and chemotherapy and then built myself back up again. Now I am on hormone therapy pills, and I have to go in to have a bone strengthening treatment at the hosp each six months.
And I'm glad and thankful beyond words that I can do all this now, out and about, enjoying everything.
Hope you like the film! Thank you for watching!
Music: courtesy of Epidemic Sound
Tellow / Let Love In
Melanie Bell / Easy Now
Houses on the Hill / World Goes By
Bluma Petersen Feat. Nadja Alsén / Way Beyond Seeking
By the way, if anyone is thinking of doing a similar trip in Germany, I discovered recently that pop-up campsites exist, which look like they are definitely worth a look. For example see here campspace.com/...
"all you need is a few bits and bobs and you can go just anywhere"..... Yes! Exactly!
Exactly the comment from the video that stuck me too.
Those of us lucky enough to have found and follow your life events and travels know that your courage, positivity and determination are beyond inspirational. You are living proof that a positive mindset is such fundamental element in life.
You’re absolutely right - a bike and a few bits and bobs are really all you need to go bike touring. Keep everything simple.
You’re a beautiful person. thank you again for a wonderful uplifting video!
Aw thank you for watching, and for such a beautiful comment Andy
A great woman with a great attitude for life more power to you 💪👍
Lovely Video. Yes, In northern germany we say "moin" to greet someone.
Fabulous , I really appreciate the time and effort you put into producing these videos whilst recovering from cancer , so inspirational . Glad to see your hair is growing back nicely . Looking forward to the next episode .
Yeh it is nice to have hair again, takes a while... It came back crazy curly which it did the previous time as well... I think that is just what happens. My eyebrows havent come back but never mind! no big deal is it!!! thank you for watching!
An excellent film. I love your use of tracks and back roads. You gave me such confidence on your second wild camp when you couldn't remember which way you had come into the site - I thought it was only me that did things like that! Your cooking always looks superb and I wonder when you are using dehydrated food have you dehydrated it yourself?
Hi Chris! oh that is nice you said that, yeh I do that sort of thing all the time, getting lost and things, easily done! About cooking, yes I bought a dehydrator, during lockdown actually, and started making my own lightweight cheap dehydrated ingredients and whole meals etc @@chrisw1090
Thank you Susanna. I only started camping last year and it was as a result of seeing you cooking real food, rather than the commercial rehydrate meals that I bought a Trangia 27 and I have been delighted with it - I don't use meths but Fire Dragon which I find cleaner. I will invest in a dehydrator I think it could be useful for camping and home.@@susannathornton
oh that's great that you are enjoying cooking on your Trangia Chris. I like it, feels safe and easy... About Fire Dragon, oh that is interesting, yeh meths makes quite nasty black soot doesnt it, right, I'll look into Fire Dragon! thank you for the tip @@chrisw1090
I really enjoy these bicycle touring videos! Thanks for posting them
Hi Susanna, we have really enjoyed watching this. I’m so pleased you have been able to do this after dealing with cancer and your knee problem. I love your balance between organised campsites and wild camping, together with your capacity to go with the flow. Your impressive resilience is inspirational. 😊🚴♀️👍💕xxx
Aw thank you for the lovely comment Jennifer! glad you enjoyed watching!
Hello Susanna,
Good to the knee is fine... As I was watching I was looking at your kit and thinking some of it had changed since your last "Kit Video" a few years ago... If you get time this year it would be great for us wood-be Brompton tourer to see what you are using now. I am off to make a coffee to enjoy whilst watching part three.
Take care.
Paul,,
That was a very heartwarming video.
My wife doesn't do TH-cam but I persuaded her to watch as she goes in tomorrow for her breast cancer operation. I think it has helped as both of us as we are very apprehensive about the future.
We're planning ahead as normal though and intend to cycle to Dinard in September, health and weather permitting.
Thank you so much for the boost your positivity has given both of us.
Looking forward to future episodes.
Hi Colin, thank you for writing, aw I am sorry that your wife and you are going through this. I hope you have both managed to have some good bits since you last wrote. The Dinard trip sounds kind of like Sweden for me - it was actually both something to look forward to, as well as sort of a torture in a way as I felt it moved away all the time... eg after my operation, it was a big blow to find out that I had to do chemo, Sweden receded into the uncertain future again... But once I accepted that, then I found that to my surprise I could do little, local cycle camping rides whilst on chemo, and I found that planning those and then actually doing them despite everyting was brilliant, a massive tonic, gave me a huge boost each time, made me feel happy, and myslef again. Then chemo finished, and I had some more months and it was winter and did some more small rides in the UK, a bit further afield, building myself up. And finally could do this ride to Sweden, plus then have done a whole bunch more since then.. I had to kind of work out a new way to think about everything and a new way to be happy. Omg it is so hard the night before an op for cancer. I have had four now. I am here, thinking of you both, and quietly wishing the best for you, and I am sure loads of people on here are doing the same.
I started watching your videos ages ago because I ride a Brompton, which I love. But now it’s not really about the Brompton - it’s all about you and your epic adventures, your own challenges with your health but your indomitable spirit shines through - always. Thank you Susanna.
Two words Susanna. Bloody marvelous. Thank you so much for sharing. 👍
💪Wow. Cool. 👍
Outdoor Freedom🍓
Haha, I was twice at the campground near Eckernförde and yes, the access road is horrific..! Especially with a fully loaded bike... But the campground is nice, thats for sure. And you can take a direct dip into the baltic sea there, vey nice! Enjoyed your video, thanks!
Oh, pity I missed having a swim! I was so concentrating on having a shower! a swim would have been lovely
You are an inspiration!
Wahoooo!! Another country crossed on your journey 🤗 Your joy in being free and healthy to cycle as you wished was a pleasure to watch Susanna 😎 I loved how the basic needs of finding food and a place to pitch your tent each day were the primary focus..everything stripped to the basic and the absolute pleasure of getting those needs met! So many miles (kms) done with 3 gears and little wheels - fan-bloody-tastic!! 🎉
Miriam! 🥰 thank you for the lovely comment! aw yeh so lucky lucky lucky, it was gorgeous to burst out like that again onto the roads and be wild and free, and freewheel in the sun, and sit down and drink coffee and watch everything, and camp in woods and cook the world's biggest asparagus haha. Thank you for writing! Hope you are doing 110% OK! Sending best wishes!!!
Wonderful and thank you for letting me share your adventure. A beautifully constructed video with lovely background music. You are a star!
I so enjoyed this Susanna. I used to solo tour a lot on a regular bike. But have lost that spark to get planning. Think it may slowly be coming back. I don't know why, but I want to just go and buy a Brompton (having never even tried one) and give it a go. Just as you do it. Thanks for taking the time to share this. Love your channel.
You are my Hero, plain and simple!
Thank you for taking the Time to film, edit and post this.
Your an inspiration.i love to wild camp. I now do it on my folder shopper but have 20 inch wheels and 6 gears luxury 😂
Love your outdoor cooking skills!
Amazing👍🏻 please share more nice bike camping trip with us😃
Thank you Susanna for this second episode of your trip to Sweden, thoroughly enjoyed. My wife and I also watched your trip back to the UK from China. What a story. You are a remarkable person.
aw thank you Chris, hello to you and your wife!
I've seen the comedy statements about lampposts unexpectedly jumping out on motorists and causing them to crash, but (almost) crashing due to asparagus anticipation is a statement that will never EVER be quoted again 🤣 The surrealness of that admittence made me giggle.
Do you not carry a water filter for emergencies? They are very lightweight.
Thanks for another great video Susanna, with great editing and music, you are such an enthusiastic and inspirational person 🙂👍
Hello Tony! haha I had forgotten about that asparagus incident! poor chap behind me, nearly took him out! Yeah about water filters, I researched them and bought one when i was working on a job in Glasgow, cos I planned to go hiking and wild camping on hills in Scotland whilst I was working up there, and a water filter would be the only way to have water when wild camping without lugging it on my back for miles... But for cycling, I am on roads/tracks, and when I need water I am normally nearer to lots of plain old easy access taps - in churchyards, peoples houses, etc - than to accessible rivers or lakes etc. Plus because water is super important, when I am planning to camp wild, I always make sure to have it, before I am out of range of a tap, and on a bike you have a quite good range, much bigger than walking, no big deal to pedal around a few km until you find a house, church etc. And then carrying the weight of the water on a bike is a lot less burdensome than carrying it when walking, so I can pick up water early and then ride for miles till I camp without much trouble. So, yeah I could carry a filter, I guess, but when you add in that I am travelling hyper light on the Brompton the competition for space between bits of gear is intense! I have to be super rigorous about things being worth their weight and space. And cos I have managed to find taps 100% of times for years now, unless I am doing a ride in maybe Lapland or something, I dont think I would take a filter. Anyway, yeah, thanks for asking! you made me think about it again! there you go! long answer! thank you so mcuh for watching, and for writing!
@@susannathornton
Thanks for the "long answer", you've almost convinced me to leave my water filter at home!
Yes, I can imagine that when bikepacking on a Brompton space is at a premium, and your cycling routes have indeed never been too far from a tap.
My road touring bike has panniers so I'm spoilt for luggage space but even so I do make as many items as possible dual purpose.
I too use cemeteries and door knocking for water and like you, I've never ran dry. I think my insistence on carrying a filter is borne out of my very remote camping experiences. That, and the fact that my new one is only about 60 grams and small in size.
When it's close to the time for me to find a wild camp I fill up my water bottles and water bladder at the next opportunity so that I don't have to leave my camp spot.
Heavy, yes, but as you say the bike is carrying it and I'll use the full 2 litre bladder overnight for cooking and cuppas!
There, one long answer deserves another!
Happy camping and keep on being positive 🙂👍
I'm so glad you made it through last year and are again able to make these long trips again.
I love your videos. They are so touching and heart lifting while also telling a story. They are real gems. Thank you for taking us with you to your adventures. 😊
👍👍👍
Moin Susanna
Great adventure and Film. Thank you very much.
Hi Susanna my wife & I are regular credit card bikepackers - Hotels, AirBNB etc. We love the videos of your adventures , however it’s the story of your life journey that we consider your greatest gift. In a world where victimhood is worn like a badge of honour your refusal to see yourself in that way is truely inspirational. Take care, stay safe & remain positive. May God Bless you.
Lovely to see storks flying! Thank you for a beautiful journey!
I just want to say I love your content and I ever see you around I'm going to make a fuss...... 😊
Yep ‘Moin’ 😀
New subscriber...how could I not. You are so dear...love your video's. Love from ❤🇩🇰
Aw thank you Savannah! And what a lovely thing to say 🥰
To hear you say:"Moin!" was so sweet. It's great to see you back on your good old Brompton. Thank you for all the effort to film and share this trip. You always have a smile on your face and such great attitude! Atb, greetings from Holland
You Biked to your husband! 😮 ❤
Yes!
Thank you for your inspiring video’s Susanna. I really enjoy them ❤️
Hi
Nice video series.
I just wanna tell you, that I am ready for the Denmark part. I look forward to seeing my neighborhood through your eyes (camera).
I have clicked thumbs up and subscribed, so now I am sitting restless in front of the PC and waiting 😉
Aw thanks for subscribing etc and for writing Gert! yep working on Denmark!! coming soon
A Danish woman became diagnosed with Sclerosis some years ago, and started running a "Marathon Distance" a day for a year, with the help of many followers running with her each day, shifting (A Guinness Record), and in the end she was told to be free of her illness!
As an owner of a much rebuilt and made lighter, Top Brompton I honestly couldn't imagine riding any major distance on my bike (It would be like asking a one legged man to run a Marathon, using a crutch!!), as it is a really lousy "bike" on the small, hard rolling wheels! I am so impressed! Finn. Denmark
Thank you Susanna for taking us along on your adventure and taking the time to produce another wonderful video. You are, as always, truly inspirational. I always love seeing different meals cooked on the Trangia. I’ve picked up so many tips from your many videos already, please do keep them coming. Quick question about shopping, do you take your bike into the shop with you? I’m always nervous leaving mine.
Hi Sharon! aw yeh it is really hard when touring alone isnt it, shopping, what to do with the bike... I dont have a good system really. I lock it outside and rush around the shop madly as quick as possible. I never know whether it is better to lock the bike in a spot where there are lots of people, or a place that is kind of out of the way. Some people on here have commented that they wheel it straight in the shop... I have done that with unloaded bikes but not with a fully loaded one.. Someone else commented that they fold up the bike and put it in a trolley and wheel it round. I guess I could try that but it a bit of time to unload everything... Maybe I should try that though. I left the bike out of sight behind a shop (locked) when I was in Denmark and when I came out of the shop and went back to the bike, I surprised two young lads who were bending over it and kind of fingering everything.... really freaked me out and I didnt know if they had nicked anything or were just interested and inquisitive or what.. dont want to wrongly accuse nice kids who are just curious!! far from it! but I was a bit sharp with them cos you never know.
@@susannathornton Thank you. Yes that’s what I do too, if I’m alone. I have locked it near some people drinking coffee and asked them to keep an eye on it for me before now. That felt a little more comfortable and they gave me a huge smile when I returned. I wish it wasn’t necessary to doubt people, but sadly the statistics on bike theft speak for themselves.
Thanks again for the wonderful video, I’m already onto the third viewing.
It’s like ya birthday and Christmas Day when your films hit you tube ❤ thank you ST
Another of your great videos !! I am reserving the time to watch it on the big screen 🎉🎉🎉 thanks so much Susanna to motivate me so much . 😊 I am so happy to see you recovered ❤
Always a pleasure watching one of your videos thank you Susanna
For hilly difficult terrain there is a Schlumpf drive. Less surprises searching for stealth camping.
Hi Sharkmentality! thanks for watching! re gears, as a simple solution to lowering the gears, I just put on a 38T ring. I love it - my low gear is perfect now, I can go up pretty much anything I want to on tarmac, and I dont care at all to lose some inches off my top gear. It is a simple solution, and no extra weight, and cost kind of nothing, cos in fact I had spare 38T and 39T etc in my box of old bits from my racing days when I used to work in a bike shop, but if I had to buy a basic steel chainring it be just a few quid. I see people talking about various modifications schlumpf and rohloff etc. I am not sure why I would need these things really! what do you find your Schlumpf does that makes it worth it? Just wondering if you tried a simple small chainring solution before you went for Schlumpf so could compare them? Anyway thank you for watching!
Really enjoying your journey. You are so inspirational.
Thank Susanna for taking us on an adventure 🥰
Wondertul, your not just a star a complete constellation. So look forward to your next travelog. Take care, keep well I trust, R
Yay! 😀! Great wild camping! Thanks for sharing!! Tomorrow I am off to Japan for some Brompton cycling. But No camping. Will be my first time on a bike there.
Oh that is exciting about your Japan trip starting tomorrow Jason! Woo! I wonder which part you will be exploring? I loved Gianni's film of his experiences on Hokkaido. Aw have a brilliant time!
We will start from Hiroshima, go down to the Shimanami Kaido (6 bridges n 6 islands). Kyoto, Nagoya and Mt Fuji 5 lakes. We will cheat a little and take trains at some points. Then go home from Tokyo. 24 days. Will try to do Hokkaido next year. This is a recce ride.
just looked it up, oh looks like you'll get some amazing views! Not cheating - sounds like a perfect plan, mixing cycling with trains and buses etc, that's the beauty of a folding bike!
Japan has quite busy and narrow roads. Not so safe to cycle all the way. Better to ride the train and enjoy the view /coffee. Thanks!@@susannathornton
Hi Susanna,you said at one point all you need is a few bits & bobs to do a ride,what you have is the right attitude & grit,I salute you,atb Colin P,❤️
This looks like a great cycling route ... I don't understand why campsites are so sparse there 🏕
Travelling light, wild camp and go wherever want. That's what it's all about. It's always a pleasure following you on your journeys.
What a lovely treat for a Saturday morning - dropped my daughter off at school, hot cup of coffee and watching part 2 of your trip to Sweden. Thank you for your kind comments over the loss if my little dog Molly. I'm glad your health is improving. Take good care of yourself. Jamie
You are awesome!
Absolutely delightful, thank you for sharing your journey, you’re a true inspiration 🚲💐
Cheered me up to see this pop up Susanna. Hope you’re well and thank you for all the hard work putting these films together for all of us who love the bike, the open road and Trangias! ❤️
Aw thank you pootlingalong! hope you are well too, and out there on the open road with your Trangia when the weather permits! best wishes! x
I sympathise with the difficuly in finding campsites and food in Germany, same happened to me, 20 years ago now, maybe even worse now!
it's odd isnt it! I always imagined Germany would have lots of lovely small campsites for all the outdoorsy people hiking and cycling etc. Apparently there is a pop up small campsite movement underway, which looks like it could be a great thing
That's good news! I did several great little tours along the Rhine with my Brompton using the amazing German youth hostels, but camping is my first love! @@susannathornton
Brilliant. So glad that you were able to do this tour and share it with us. Thank you.
So happy to see a new video again, what a great adventure you’re on 👍🏻
Wonderful Adventure Susanna, It makes for an even more full life when we can get away for adventures like this:) I am looking forward to the warmer weather and seeing lush fresh greenery again:)
Sandy
Thanks for watching Sandy! yeh spring is coming! me too, looking forward to new leaves and birdsong and everything, when I was editing this it made me realise just how much birdsong there was then, in June - it was like riding through a tunnel of birdsong
Whoooohooooooooo a new Susanna video! Thanks for sharing, so nice to see you on the Brompton again! Keep healthy, fight it!
Haha thanks Alex!!
Nice reminder. Nothing is for granted. Thanks.
Yay! Susanna is back.
Haha yes I am! 😁
Awesome adventure. Thank you for the videos. 😊👍
So spectacular!! Thanks for sharing and motivation for adventures !!creating from Ireland 🇮🇪
Thank you for another great trip, you are an inspiration to us older cyclists!
Yay!! This has brightened up a rather grey and misty Saturday morning..Thank you Susanna ❤🚴♂️
Really enjoying sharing this adventure with you. Thank you for taking us along for the ride 😀🚴♀️🚵♀️
Looking forward to the next one!
At 14:09, you were wild-camping so Well. you are very brave. And the bird song was so good in the morning. Thanks so much for sharing. Wonderful ride!
Susanna, you’re an inspiration. Keep going,stay strong.
Hello and Moin,
very nice ride. I enjoyed it so much.
Thanks for this film and go on.
All the best wishes to you and always good luck from river Weser, Olli
Absolutely wonderful. You’re an inspiration. Thank you.
Thank you Susanna. Thank you for such an inspirational video. I love them. RayC
I love how adventurous you are, Susanna. Thank you! 🙂👍🏕️🚴♀️
Wonderful, another joyous trip! Those roads look like a dream compared to the UK. ❤
Brilliant tour. You were lucky with the weather, again. 🙂
Very brave to do such a long distance all alone, carrying all the stuff, including an insect net! Looks like you've inherited your father's cycling longevity.
Thank you for another lovely, lovely video.
Thank you Susanna - inspiring as always.
Thanks Dave! I just LOVE your cartoons btw they are brilliant, all the messages are brilliant
Moin! Great to see you go on a longer bike trip again, lovely to see you cycle through Germany. I do like your style - bike, tent & trangia! Your videos are so encouraging!
Super!
Perfect!
High class report!
Thanks
Thanks
Thanks
Thank you your videos all ways make me feel happy
I've just found your videos this week and I'm binge watching them. You are such an inspiration. Also I second what @andyh126 said.
Aw thanks Ed! glad you are enjoying my channel, welcome!
Absolutely bowled over!! So wonderful to watch. Thank you 😊😊
oh that's nice haha! Glad you liked it Lynn! thank you for watching!
Moin Moin is the local dialect to greet someone! I think they use it from Groningen in the Netherlands to at least Hamburg
In Schleswig-Holstein Moin also is the common greating. I grew up there.
Susanna I’m so happy to see you again! Thank you for sharing with us. Love your bike travelling
Thank you for writing! I'm glad to know you enjoy the videos
Aw! Susanna. I do love to travel with you on your trips. Such lovely countryside to travel through again this time. Lovely music again, too. Thanks for sharing. E
Just love this!
Wonderful. Now patiently waiting for the next instalment of your adventure
So great to see you passed Eckernförde - the town I grew up and where my father still lives. 😍😍😍
oh how nice, I really liked it round there, beautiful beech woods and I glimpsed some big old stately homes through the trees and things like that. Schleswig-Holstein seemed so different from Lower Saxony. Nice place you grew up in!
Thanks for sharing your travels, I couldn't do what your doing, no end to your talents, multi lingual etc etc. The bird song was smashing. Your recovery is great news.
Another delightful section of your adventure. A great reminder that simple things can give great joy. Thank you so much for your skills, humour and resilience. Looking forward to the next part
Nice to see you back a great video as always.
We love your videos. Thank you for sharing your cycle travels with us. ❤
aw thanks Angelagaye!
So good to see. I first rode this way back in 2006 on the NSCR. Last year cycled back from Norway after getting the train up to the friend we made back in 2006. Have also ridden many times in North Germany. Some places say moin moin not just the once.
I am kitting out a, second hand Brompton so I can cycle camp and also use my oap bus pass. Hubby still likes to ride more than 100 miles, a day buy I love my camping. I would love a video on how to wild camp. I get the idea, but havent done it much and never solo. BTW have you heard of the Cycle Touring Festival run by Laura and Tim Moss. Thus year its being held in Coniston on the first bankholiday in May. You would fit perfectly. Thank you once again. Brenda
Hi Brenda! oh how wonderful, cycling home from Norway like that. I love combining trains with bikes and seeing friends, and what you did sounds simply perfect to me! Great about your bus idea too. When Dad and I tried combining Bromptons and buses, we realised it can work really well. Needed a fair bit of careful planning, but I quite enjoyed doing the planning too actually. Then it was lovely to get around like that on public transport chatting to people. Dad used his OAP pas so he went for free even, and I could benefit from the £2 cap thing, which was brilliant. Anyway, thank you for writing! so nice to read what you are doing and glad you enjoyed the film!
Looking forward to the next episode
Awesome😊.
You are so inspiring, well done
Great to see.
Lovely little film you are a great storyteller safe travels Susanna.
Another lovely adventure. My thanks also for your efforts in putting these videos together.
Thanks so much for sharing your journeys - it feels like being there. But it also makes me want to do the same… one day…
Truly enjoy your travels. I like that you are a "real" person. Not one of the super athletes with their 16 pound bikes doing long and fast miles that are on some of the other channels.
Traveling at a pace to take in the country and people.
Being a half a world away ( Oregon, USA) I have to look up some of the names of things 😅. Crougette = zucchini. Thank you for sharing.
Cheers 🌞🚴♀️🖖
Oooops. Courgette
What a beautiful trip. I love your videos and your daily adventures to set up camp, how you cook what you eat... Now for the next video. come on