Kick Off

Finally. Team Rynkeby Berlin is going on its way from Berlin to Paris by bike for a good cause. This is planned to be done within 8 days. Each of the 8 stages will be a nice journey for itself.

But wait… what is Team Rynkeby? It is Europe’s biggest cycling team, a charity team that collects donations throughout the season to support children with critical illnesses (and their families). It consists of many sub teams across Europe, mainly in Scandinavia, with its roots in Denmark. Learn more about it here.

The definite highlight is a bike ride to Paris to meet with all the other sub teams at the Velodrome Jaques Anquetil. Each sub team is following a different route. As you can see we’re wearing unique yellow shirts and we are riding yellow bikes. All this to draw as much attention as possible. However, on our jerseys the biggest sponsors / donators will have a spot for their company logo.

But how did we get to Paris? See below. 😁

Stage 1: Berlin – Bernburg

The 1st stage on Saturday has started in Berlin at the Nordic Embassies to arrive in the town of Bernburg. It was a gentle 160k ride with only a few smaller climbs and a ferry cruise to set over the Saale river towards Bernburg. For many people this distance sounds crazy or hard to imagine. Trust me, this is possible if you want although it takes some preparation work. Many team members have started road cycling a few months ago and they have worked all over the season to enable themselves for this.

I‘m proud of each team member not only because they managed the stages but also because each of us has added a particular skill/value to the team. This is teamwork! 💪💪

Stage 2: Bernburg – Mühlhausen

However, on day 2, Sunday, it was cloudy, we were facing some wind and rain, but still there was a great mood within the team and team work went well though. We don’t stop. Of course not. 💪💪 A bit of drizzle and wind is part of the game, so to speak.

Already at this stage I have learned that the group order may not remain the same each day as it will be shuffled. We are nearly 40 riders and for the sake of safety, legal reasons and to allow vehicles to pass by, we ride divided in two groups which will be re-shuffled each day. That leads to different constellations in terms of the group setup.

As a result, each group consists of 18 different riders with each day with different stories and experiences to share while actually riding. This brings lot of fun on such a serious mission since we’re not only riding but also talking and and laughing meanwhile.

A different group setup also means a re-assignment in terms of specific group tasks such as a small group of 6 rotating front riders, also known windshields, riding within the first three rows. Windshields will rotate either during the ride and / or during a break. They’re important because these riders are facing most of the head wind while providing slipstream to those behind who save up to a third of energy / efforts due to slipstream.

Another task would be to keep control over the group’s backend since car drivers may queue behind, trying to pass by. Also, if there’s a damage on any bike, the group’s backend is supposed to communicate with the rest of the group leaders and mechanic (if needed). Find the mechanic next to his car below (as you can see there are also spots for sponsor logos on the car).

Both I had the pleasure to do so. That’s real team work where everyone brings in / adds a certain value or skill. While I had the pleasure to be a windshield rider on day one – I have learned on day 2 that it is also important to secure such a group of riders at its backend and to stick with the group.

Despite a thorough planning a road may be closed. Thanks to our motorbike riders (on their electric bikes) we can avoid any dead end since they could check out quickly.

Eventually we managed some 140k to Mühlhausen, Thuringia. And yet again there’s such a fabulous support team providing a rich variety of food, snacks, drinks, support, happiness, pride… hence the good mood remains with the team. I love it. 😍

These guys will be honoured in another post.

As on most of the rides there are very nice landscapes. Amongst others the Kyffhäuser mountain. This time just passed by, not climbed. But there was a very nice reminiscence to my very first bike packing tour where I have climbed this mountain. And it is great to see how things have developed since then. Back at this time I could not imagine to find such a great team of brave riders to on such a ride with. I had not much of an idea of how it would be. But it’s simply great. Looking forward to the next stages. 🥰