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Cycle tour through Europe: Karlsfelder (25) on the road alone for more than a year

2022-09-30T15:48:52.824Z


Cycle tour through Europe: Karlsfelder (25) on the road alone for more than a year Created: 09/30/2022Updated: 09/30/2022, 17:40 By: Verena Moeckl Unlimited freedom: Daniel Großhans traveled through Europe alone by bike for a year. Our picture shows him wild camping on the west coast of Ireland. © Daniel Großhans He was away for 13 months. Daniel Großhans (25) rode his bike across western and


Cycle tour through Europe: Karlsfelder (25) on the road alone for more than a year

Created: 09/30/2022Updated: 09/30/2022, 17:40

By: Verena Moeckl

Unlimited freedom: Daniel Großhans traveled through Europe alone by bike for a year.

Our picture shows him wild camping on the west coast of Ireland.

© Daniel Großhans

He was away for 13 months.

Daniel Großhans (25) rode his bike across western and northern Europe.

Alone.

Without a precise plan.

Always looking for the next adventure.

Karlsfeld – Daniel Großhans crouches in his hammock.

Somewhere in a forest near Crans-Montana in Switzerland.

He doesn't dare to move.

The barking that woke him up at three in the morning is getting louder and louder.

Suddenly there are steps.

They sound heavy and loud and get closer and closer.

At the moment, the 25-year-old doesn't know whether it was a stray dog ​​or another wild animal of a comparable size.

Daniel Grosshans is afraid.

terrified.

It's pitch black.

But he doesn't dare to turn on his headlamp.

But more on that later.


The best time of his life: Karlsfelder (25) is cycling through Europe

Daniel Großhans traveled across Europe on his bicycle.

© Daniel Großhans

"That was the most horrible night I've experienced on my entire trip," says Daniel Großhans today, almost a year later.

He is sitting on a bench on the western shore of Lake Karlsfeld.

His bike is in front of him.

It looks inconspicuous, a bit old.

Nothing special.

But appearances are deceptive.

Daniel Großhans took the bike across western and northern Europe.

The Karlsfelder was on the road for 13 months.

He has traveled to 13 countries.

His hair has grown 13 centimeters since he started driving.

Without a plan and initially without any idea when he will come home again.

It was just him and his bike.

Strictly speaking, it doesn't even belong to him.

"Three weeks before I wanted to start my trip to Europe, my bike was stolen from Karlsfeld train station," says Daniel Großhans, shrugging his shoulders.

"I just borrowed my dad's bike." The bike is too small for him.

But whatever.

main thing go.


Cycle tour unlimited: 13 months, 13 countries, hair 13 centimeters longer

One of the happiest moments of his bike trip: Daniel Großhans meets sheep, his favorite animals.

© Daniel Großhans

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Daniel Großhans is the kind of person who can't be easily disturbed by anything.

He slept outside for 43 nights straight during his trip – on campsites or outdoors, mostly unprotected.

He camped wildly for a total of 169 days.

With nothing but his tent or hammock.

In fields somewhere in the middle of nowhere.

Or in the woods like that horror night in Switzerland.

The nights were bad for the first two months.

Bicycle traveler Daniel Großhans

Fortunately, after what felt like an eternity, the animal disappeared and the eerie barking stopped, he says.

"The nights were bad for the first two months because I didn't know what the different animals sounded like."


But that didn't deter him from his travel plans.

His urge for freedom, for thrills, for adventure is too strong.

"I'm not the type who likes city holidays." Daniel Großhans prefers to hike off the beaten track.

What he is about: to leave the comfort zone.

Testing your own limits.


The hardest climb in his life

Portugal, Serra da Estrella, February 1, 2022: Daniel Großhans is on his way up to Torre, the highest mountain on the Portuguese mainland at almost 2000 meters.

He pedals with full force, battling against the ever-increasing wind.

He's sweating, despite the gusts that are lashing his face.

The flags on his luggage rack flutter frantically in the wind.

The two flagpoles are strongly curved.

If the storm continues like this, they won't be able to hold out much longer - the same goes for their owner.

You can do anything in life, no matter how strong the wind is.

Daniel Grosshans

Again and again Daniel Großhans has to dismount.

He stands on the street with his legs apart, clutching the handlebars of his bike tightly.

But he doesn't want to give up.

Turning around is not an option.

He crawls up the mountain at a snail's pace.

meter by meter.

He knows he has to hurry because the sun is about to set.

Finally he gets to the top.

Made!

Daniel Großhans is flooded with happiness.

He's close to tears.

"It was the toughest climb of my life," he says today.

“This extreme experience has encouraged me to never give up.

You can do anything in life no matter how strong the wind is.”


Wild camping in the idyll of the Iberian mountain range, the Serra da Estrella in Portugal.

© Daniel Großhans

Injured in Portugal

Daniel Großhans also proved that he is a fighter when he was seriously injured and was forced to take a forced break.

Portugal, a few weeks before climbing the Torre: The accident happened while standing.

Trying to keep his bike from falling over, he levers the chainring into his ankle.

The cut is small.

But deep.

Daniel Großhans sees the white of his bone.

He drags himself to the next village.

It turns out that the doctor has to go to the emergency room.

Since the hospital is 40 kilometers away, he takes an Uber, a kind of taxi.

It's one of the few times he leaves his bike behind.

His injury has to be sewn up with five stitches.

According to the doctor, cycling will not be indoors for the time being.

However, that cannot stop Daniel Großhans.

He cycles 30 kilometers the next day until he finds cheap accommodation.


What makes the trip so special for Daniel Großhans

After two weeks of rest, Daniel Großhans can finally move on again.

Chase one beautiful sunset after another.

"I'm addicted to it." But what makes the trip so valuable to him is the overall package, he says.

 Beautiful moments come and go.

Daniel Grosshans

“Beautiful moments come and go.

What makes the trip so special for me is the feeling of limitless freedom.” Having no appointments, no commitments and no fixed date when the trip will end.


"Now I know what the meaning of my life is"

Off to a new adventure: Daniel Großhans wants to set off on his bike again.

East this time.

© Daniel Großhans

Almost a year and a half ago, Daniel Großhans made the best decision of his life, as he says, when he decided to take a break from his job as a media designer for images and sound.

“Now I know what the meaning of my life is”: Exploring the world by bike.

At least for the next few years.


In November he wants to leave again.

This time with his own bike, one that also fits him in terms of size.

Karlsfeld doesn't have a concrete goal or a concrete plan for when he'll be coming home.

He just always wants to go east, he says.

Preferably to Asia, to a new adventure.

Five questions for cyclist Daniel Großhans

What luggage do you take with you on a trip like this?

Especially when there is not much space on the bike?

Daniel Großhans: Because I'm passionate about filming and editing, I had a lot of technical stuff with me.

So SLR camera, GoPro, drone, tripod, microphone, music box, laptop.

And all the charging cables.

I always wore one of my two Werder-Bremen jerseys and extra cycling clothing, a rain jacket and, of course, long, waterproof trousers.

Depending on how cold it is outside, I also had a sweater and a fabric jacket with me and everything else you need for camping.


What was the most important item you had with you?

Clearly my bluetooth box.

I always used headphones to listen to music, which is pretty dangerous on the road.

After half a year I came up with the idea of ​​getting a box so that I could listen to music out loud.

From that point on, I couldn't understand how I could manage without it for six months.


How did you finance your trip?

Mainly from savings.

That was possible because I live with my parents and have no ongoing expenses for rent and utilities.

My friends and family have also supported me with donations.

Later, a little money came in through my YouTube channel.


How much money does a cycle tourist need a day?

I spent an average of 30 euros.

But that's quite a lot for a cyclist.

This was mainly due to the fact that I spent a long time in expensive countries like Switzerland.

It's definitely a lot cheaper.


You've been traveling alone for a year.

Have you never been lonely?

I'm a very introverted person.

I can do very well on my own.

I noticed that, especially after the year of travel.

I don't think everyone can do that.

You have to be the type to drive around alone for so long.

What helped is that I'm a Youtuber.

Since I was constantly filming myself and talking to the camera, I didn't feel as lonely.

I was able to satisfy my need to communicate by making videos of myself and speaking to my subscribers.

So I could share all my moments.

Radreise Unlimited is the name of his YouTube channel, on which he regularly uploads videos of his trip.

By the way: everything from the region is also available in our regular Dachau newsletter.

You can find more current news from the district of Dachau at Merkur.de/Dachau.

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-09-30

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