Team Rynkeby’s Road to Paris - The Final: Senlis - Paris 🇩🇪 🇳🇱 🇧🇪 🇫🇷

We made it – the “grand finale” with the entire team. We have covered a short distance today, but it felt like a long, winding route through the city. Unlike the last two years, we didn’t see many other teams along the way. Probably because we have arrived unexpectedly early. We started in the Northern suburbs, Senlis. That means just a bit of countryside and lots of urbanisation. And as quick as one can think we rode in Paris – an obviously cyclist friendly city. Here we go again! 🥳

It was a pleasure to “navigate” my group to here – and to Paris. Especially today I was supported by two of our French team mates who are familiar with traffic in French cities. The small things that make a big difference, that was really interesting and a key learning. What I have learned was quite significant: those exemptions for cyclists. These signs allowed cyclists to proceed in the given directions despite a red sign – only if there’s no other traffic of any kind (e.g. pedestrians crossing the road or other vehicles cross or turn onto the same road.) Should be very useful for the future days. 😉

Thanks to the former mayor Anne Hidalgo, this city has turned into a cycling friendly city. And that is visible. Preceded by Bertrand Delanoë, Paris will continue to go this way. What a fortune!

We arrived relatively early because the breakdowns we had “factored in” never happened. Last year, we had to handle a couple of flat tyres – each in one of our groups at different times and different places right by the Seine. I don’t think anyone is complaining about avoiding that this time around. However it was a good decision to start earlier than last year and to stick together (both groups) in order to arrive together at the final destination.

This gave us more time at the Eiffel Tower and for a special appointment. As usual we visit the Eiffel tower. No matter if you have been there before or not, with the team or not – it is a very special and emotional moment.

The final stretch was a bit emotional – even back at the Eiffel Tower. It was pure joy about what we had achieved together, mixed with the feeling of missing someone special, even though, in a way, she had been traveling with us the whole time. By the time we arrived and we saw the tower in front of us I have missed a very special person – following us in Kenya.

Her name is Sharon, she’s my girlfriend. It is very likely that she’ll join us next year as part of the our service team. Some of our team mates had similar emotions and were missing someone. And yet another time this is true team spirit: to be there for each other. Especially in such moments.

It was also emotional to arrive there again along with team mates who became good friends.

The “special appointment” took place at the German Embassy in Paris – bringing our journey full circle. We started in Berlin at the Brandenburg Gate in front of the French Embassy, seen off by the French Ambassador. And one week later we arrived in Paris to be welcomed by the German Ambassador (or his representative). Amazing.

Their warm and friendly welcoming remains unforgotten. Also, the security measurements were interesting. For good reasons it was not allowed to take pictures inside, except in front of the pictures of the federal president and the minister of foreign affairs.

It was a nice get-together, including a short speech and a photo session. Some refreshments were served as well and there could not be any better choice than snacks from both countries: French croissants and German pretzels. Very thoughtful. At some point it was time to leave for the final destination. Not without saying a very big “thank you” to our team mates Roland and Basia, who made this meeting possible.

In the end, all the teams gathered – as always – at the Vélodrome Jacques Anquetil. The velodrome is named after the famous French cyclist Jacques Anquetil. As of 26.07.2026, he is one of the five cyclists who won the Tour de France for five times. This venue was the finish line of the Tour de France between 1968 and 1974. There could not be any better place to meet along with all the other Rynkeby teams and their families and friends and to be welcomed and honoured by all of them. What a great moment that was!

But we had to wait a little before we could enter the velodrome…

We celebrated in high spirits with everyone else. All the Rynkeby Teams have arrived one after another, being cheered on when riding gently into the velodrome, where people have formed a guard of honour. So amazing!

Cannot repeat this often enough. This journey would not be possible without our fabulous Service Team! 👌 Thank you so much! You guys are amazing! 💛

And finally it’s time for the medals and Champagner!

Traditional but optional – a “should do it” but not a “must do”: changing a jersey and/or caps with a cyclist from another team. This time a Swiss jersey will be added to my “personal collection” which also includes a jersey each from Sweden and Finland. However, the Swiss cross might be confused easily with the Danish flag, when displayed in a small circle. 🇨🇭🇩🇰

Whoever is keen on riding back or to continue the journey by bicycle, is free to do so. Anyone else’s bicycle will be carried back home in a vehicle.

As far as I’m concerned I went for a another week of travelling by bike across France. My own Tour de France so to speak. Since Team Rynkeby is starting it’s journey on the same day the “Grand Tour” is starting and lasting for three weeks, some Rynkeby team members went on to visit the Tour de France. However, my personal objective was to visit historical sites such as the Normandy. More about that can be read soon right here.

Eventually, the journey concluded with a relaxed group dinner.

As always, I never get tired of highlighting the good cause involved. Simply put, we are raising funds for the German Childhood Cancer Foundation (Deutsche Kinderkrebsstiftung), which in turn supports local projects, affected families, and cancer research.

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who has supported my personal campaign—”Cash for Kilometer”—and, by extension, the German Childhood Cancer Foundation. I encourage everyone else to do some good as well. I am riding not only for myself and the families affected, but also on behalf of everyone who is backing my efforts to help others. You can find the details on how and where to get involved here.

Thank you for your support, in whatever form it takes.

Last but not least:

Map of the day, the final stage: Senlis to Paris (including a stop at the Eiffel Tower, the German embassy and the Velodrome; and a final stop at the hotel)