I have cycled in counter clockwise direction (starting from Zagreb Croatia) because I wanted to see Slovakia, enjoy Poland coastline and then Denmark. The rest was just there for backup if I was left with more time or just decided to change plans as usual.
The whole trip lasted little bit less than 3 months, but of course such a long journey could have lasted several times longer and I still not be bored, at least in most countries. But I had 3 months on my disposal so this what I have done.
Countries I had most fun in:
Slovakia, Poland, Denmark
Countries I will be back:
Slovakia, Poland, France
I have skipped north of Italy now because I have cycled this before and its close to my home country so I am often there.
Country with the most spectacular sea:
Poland
I would never believe Poland has such a spectacular looking coastline! (although it can be crowded but thats true everywhere)
Country I have met most bike travelers:
Denmark
Most annoying country:
Germany :)
Do you need help?
Go to the other side of the road!
Go to the cycle path!
Do you need help?
This is a walking path, that is a cycle path.
Do you need help?
You cannot sleep here!
Country with the widest and cheapest selection of peanut butter:
Netherlands
It appears big supermarkets in Netherlands (like Lidl) are full of real organic peanut butter selection and it very cheap, pretty much like in Poland.
Since this is an ingredient I cannot cycle without, I welcome this a lot. I find it really good for recovery in the evening after dinner, unlike other junk food like chocolate.
Gear malfunctions / issues:
(generally les than last year's trip to Norway)
2 failed air pillows just started gradually loosing air (both of them were refunded) but I just dont have luck with airpillows :(
Most of my quick tire patches were failing (maybe because of old glue), the same ones I have used last year when they performed well.
This resulted in quite a few tire changes during which I managed to destroy some inner tubes by pinching them with tire levers no matter how careful I have been.
I learned to use hands as much as possible but some tires are very hard to mount with just hands.
Police encounters:
Only one (usually I dont have any). I slept in some park in the Netherlands trying to hide myself from the rain below some half opened shelter and the police woke me up at night. No problems whatsoever, they were polite and wished me safe trip after they checked my ID card, but they still woke me in the middle of the night :D
Mosquito nightmare on Baltic street:
I had only one bad period lasting about a week (few days In Poland on the coast and few days after that when I entered Germany) where the mosquitos were just horrendous, like the worst days I have ever experienced in Finland.
At one point I probably had 30+ bites on each of my legs.
Reppelants in spray dont help as I have learned so far, only those smoking spirals work if you inhale the smoke which must be very good for your health.
Luckily the rest of the trip was fine, and even in Denmark there were pretty much no mosquitos at all.
Fighting headwinds:
North of the Denmark (from the town of Aalborg) and above was very windy on both sides of the coast (east and west) but this was to be expected since its very exposed to Oceans.
There was also one very annoying period when I cycled from the Netherlands into Belgium and then France. Wind was strong here pretty much like on the top of Denmark and this was unexpected for me as I was not even on the coast but inland passing through Bruxelles and going downwards towards Paris.
All in all, it was a little bit more relaxed trip than last year's when I went to Norway. Not exactly what I wanted to do but still something to fulfill my current exploring desires.
The only reason I cycled Europe again this year was because I didnt have more than 3 months of free time and I didnt feel like flying somewhere for such a short period.
But Europe doesnt do it for me any more.
I desperately need to go out.
