Jonas Deichmann and his partner Josefine Rutkowski have completed their grueling “Around Europe” cycling expedition, returning to Munich after 127 days in the saddle without a single rest day, according to tri-mag.de. The pair covered 24,000 kilometers and 250,000 vertical meters while navigating continental Europe.
The Route and Logistics of Around Europe
Starting in Munich on April 25, the couple initially headed south around Italy before continuing their journey around continental Europe in a clockwise direction, as reported by tri-mag.de. Unlike previous projects focused purely on speed, this expedition prioritized smaller backroads, winding trails, and challenging off-road passages over coastal highways. True to their adventurous style, Deichmann and Rutkowski traveled entirely unsupported, carrying their own equipment on their bicycles without a companion vehicle.
Geopolitical realities forced adjustments to their original plans. tri-mag.de noted that the cyclists bypassed Russia and Ukraine due to the ongoing war. Additionally, unpredictable elements such as uncertain ferry connections, closed tunnels, vanished road segments, and regional wildfires in Eastern Europe required constant route recalibrations.
A Tour of Extreme Weather and Demands
The expedition tested the limits of endurance through drastically shifting climates. While Southern and Eastern Europe presented extreme heat, Scandinavia delivered three weeks of relentless rain and freezing cold. Preparation for these extremes began early; tri-mag.de reported that during a mid-summer passage through Germany near Hamburg in 30-degree Celsius heat, the pair packed down jackets and heavy gloves in anticipation of northern conditions.
Even for Deichmann, a multiple bike-tour world record holder, the sheer duration proved unprecedented. “Spending nine hours a day in the saddle over such a long period without a rest day really drains your reserves, especially since provisions, particularly in Eastern Europe, were very difficult,” Deichmann told tri-mag.de.
Reflections and Immediate Next Steps
Despite the logistical hurdles across 27 countries, the overarching takeaway remained positive. “The diversity of landscapes in 27 countries, the hospitality, and the many wonderful encounters across Europe thrilled us immensely,” Deichmann explained to tri-mag.de.
Following their Saturday afternoon homecoming in Munich, Deichmann faces a brief three-week window of recovery before diving into his next endurance challenge. tri-mag.de confirmed that he will begin running 30 marathons in 30 days across the German state of Baden-Württemberg on September 24, supporting the charity initiative “Move it! Gemeinsam mehr bewegen.”
