Riding North – Destination North Cape
EPISODE 1 – HEADING NORTH
From Handewitt to Central Sweden – the moment the journey begins
At a glance
- Dates: June 25–27, 2024
- Route: Handewitt (D) → Denmark → Copenhagen → Sweden → Malmö → Dorisberg → Gränna → Björklinge
- Countries crossed: Germany, Denmark, Sweden
- Travel style: Two-up adventure riding, mix of transit & discovery
- Mood: Anticipation → Contrast → First real stillness
Day 1 – Crossing Borders, Changing Pace
June 25, 2024
We leave Handewitt around 8:15 a.m., the bikes loaded, the road still quiet.
This first stretch isn’t about chasing curves or epic landscapes — it’s about transition. Crossing the Danish border is subtle, almost understated, but mentally it’s the first real step away from home. Jo and I are thrilled to have reached this first important goal, which in a way represents the gateway to Scandinavia for us.
Denmark flows by in long, clean lines. Wind, sky, and movement. The kind of riding where your thoughts wander freely, recalibrating to the idea of being on the road for weeks.
Copenhagen – a pause in the middle of motion
Around 12:45 p.m., we roll into Copenhagen, trading helmets for cobblestones.
Nyhavn is everything contrast should be:
- colorful facades,
- boats rocking gently in the canal,
- tourists, locals, life happening all at once.
It’s loud, vibrant, almost chaotic — and that’s exactly why it works. One last dense urban moment before the vastness of Scandinavia starts to unfold.
Half an hour later, we cross the bridge into Sweden. The landscape shifts almost immediately. Space opens up.
Arrival in Sweden
At 14:45, we reach B&B Dorisberg. Luggage off. Helmets down. The relief of arrival mixes with excitement — this isn’t a stop, it’s a base.
But the day isn’t done.
Afternoon in Malmö – modern Scandinavia
We head out again, this time lighter, towards Malmö.
The Turning Torso dominates the skyline — futuristic, bold, unmistakable. Walking through the city center, the pace slows. Cafés, modern residential buildings, people enjoying sunny summer afternoons. This is the first real taste of Swedish urban life, and it leaves an impression: calm, confident, understated.
Conclusion of the day:
Leaving familiarity behind and realizing the journey has truly started.
Day 2 – First Camp, First Stillness
June 26, 2024
We leave Dorisberg B&B in the morning, heading north towards Gränna. The roads narrow, forests grow denser, and traffic fades into the background.
This is where Sweden starts to feel like Sweden.
Long stretches of asphalt framed by trees, lakes appearing unexpectedly between bends. Riding becomes rhythmic. Natural. Almost meditative.
First Camp – Lake Vättern
We arrive at First Camp Gränna – Vättern around 5:45 p.m.
Tents up. Gear off. Boots abandoned.
And then — the lake.
A cold swim in Lake Vättern resets everything. Fatigue dissolves instantly. Laughter replaces silence. This is the first moment where the trip shifts from traveling to living on the road.
As the sun begins to sink, the light turns soft and golden. The lake reflects the sky perfectly. No rush. No noise. Just water, light, and the quiet satisfaction of being exactly where you’re supposed to be.
Highlight:
The first Scandinavian sunset — long, slow, unforgettable.
Day 3 – Northbound
June 27, 2024
Breaking camp in the morning always feels different. It’s efficient, quiet, purposeful.
We leave Gränna, heading further north towards Björklinge. This isn’t about landmarks — it’s about distance. Forests stretch endlessly. Villages feel smaller, farther apart. The scale begins to shift.
You realize something important on days like this: the North Cape isn’t a destination anymore — it’s a direction.
By the time we reach Björklinge and set up camp for the night, the mindset has changed. We’re no longer easing into the journey.
We’re in it.
Key towns & places along this segment
- Handewitt – last German departure point
- Danish border – subtle but symbolic crossing
- Copenhagen (Nyhavn) – urban contrast and color
- Malmö – modern Sweden, calm
- Dorisberg – first Swedish base
- Gränna – gateway to Lake Vättern
- Lake Vättern – first swim, first stillness
- Björklinge – quiet northern progress
Rider notes (useful & real)
- Border crossings are effortless — but mentally powerful
- Copenhagen traffic requires patience (worth it)
- Camping near lakes = cold water, magical evenings
- Mosquitoes begin to appear — nothing serious yet