The 17 Questions, Berlin to Alcobaça,

After returning home, I realised that the same questions kept coming up. Some were practical, others simply curious, but all reflected a genuine interest in understanding what it is really like to cycle across Europe. These are the answers to the questions I was asked most often after completing the journey.

• Why did you decide to cycle from Berlin to Alcobaça?

I’ve always been fascinated by long-distance journeys. Discovering new landscapes, different cultures, architecture, and photography were my main motivations. Cycling across Europe allowed me to experience all of them at my own pace, making the journey every bit as important as the destination.

• How many kilometres did you ride in total?

I originally planned to cycle around 3,700 kilometres. However, as the journey progressed, I made several route changes that seemed more practical and logical. In the end, I covered approximately 3,400 kilometres.

My daily average was about 160 kilometres, although no two days were the same. On some days I rode more than 220 kilometres, while on others I covered little more than 100. It all depended on where I had planned to stay, the availability of accommodation, and how I was feeling physically at the end of each stage.

• How much did the trip cost?

The cost of a journey like this can vary significantly depending on how you choose to travel. I kept my budget as low as possible.

Taking the bicycle on the flight cost me €50, and my low-cost flight to Berlin was around €80. Before leaving, I had set myself a daily budget between €80 and €100, and I managed to stay within that throughout the journey.

Accommodation was my biggest daily expense. In Spain and Portugal, I often found comfortable places to stay for around €35 per night. Germany and the Netherlands were generally the most expensive, with some nights costing around €80. Of course, prices depend greatly on the region—tourist destinations are usually much more expensive than smaller towns and rural areas.

• Which country surprised you the most?

I had already visited all six countries and most of their major cities before this journey. What I had never experienced was their countryside, small villages, and rural landscapes. Whenever I travel by plane, I often look out of the window and wonder what it would be like to cross those landscapes by bicycle—or even on foot.

Every country has its own character, culture, and beauty. If I had to choose one that surprised me the most, it would probably be the Netherlands. Its cycling culture, urban planning, and the way bicycles are fully integrated into everyday life are truly remarkable. It is a country designed around people rather than cars, and that makes cycling there an unforgettable experience.

• What was the hardest moment of the entire journey?

I was always more concerned about the weather than the distance itself. I knew I could ride long distances, but I wasn’t sure how I would cope with spending several days alone, cycling through constant rain.

Eventually, the bad weather arrived, and it turned out to be every bit as challenging as I had imagined. Riding all day in wet clothes, dealing with soaked equipment, and trying to dry everything overnight became part of the daily routine.

I also discovered an important lesson: not everything advertised as waterproof actually is. Some of my gear survived the rain better than others! Fortunately, nothing serious happened, but it certainly made me rethink a few pieces of equipment for future journeys. 😄

• Did you ever think about giving up?

No, giving up never crossed my mind. There were moments when I thought about staying in the same place for a day or two, especially after several demanding stages or days of bad weather. But I had set myself a goal, and I wanted to see it through.

There were, however, moments during the final kilometres of a long day when fatigue caught up with me. After hours of riding, the same question would sometimes come into my mind: “Why am I doing this?”

The answer usually came the following morning. After a good night’s sleep and breakfast, I would get back on the bike, and that question would disappear. It was simply part of the journey.

• Was it difficult to be alone for so many days, so far from home?

Yes, especially during my first days in the forests of Germany. I found myself cycling for kilometres through places that were completely unfamiliar, sometimes without seeing a single person. I often wondered whether I had chosen the right route or what I would do if something went wrong.

Those moments made me realise that, although I enjoyed solitude, I didn’t enjoy feeling isolated. That is one of the reasons why I changed my original route in the following days, choosing roads that passed through more villages and towns. I still had the peace and beauty of nature, but with the reassurance that help was never too far away.

• Did you ever feel lonely?

Not really. I’ve always enjoyed spending time on my own, and I also enjoy cycling alone. Of course, I enjoy riding with friends too!

There were, however, moments when I missed my family. Standing in a beautiful landscape or walking through a historic town, I sometimes found myself imagining what it would have been like to share those moments with the people I love most.

Travelling alone gave me complete freedom, but it also made me appreciate even more the people waiting for me back home.

• What were the people you met along the way like?

The vast majority of the people I met were kind, welcoming, and always willing to help. Whether I was asking for water, directions, or simply stopping for a short conversation, I was almost always greeted with a smile.

Some of the most memorable encounters were with Portuguese families living abroad. They welcomed me as if we had known each other for years, offering food, a place to rest, and genuine friendship. One family even invited me to join them for their Sunday lunch. After so many days on the road, sitting around a table, speaking Portuguese, and sharing a homemade meal was an emotional moment that I will never forget.

To me, that is the true Portuguese spirit: generosity, hospitality, and the ability to make someone feel at home, no matter where in the world they are.

• Why did you choose hotels instead of camping?

At 57 years old, riding an average of around 160 kilometres a day, recovery became just as important as cycling itself. I had tried camping on previous trips, and it simply wasn’t the right solution for me.

A good shower, a comfortable bed, and a safe place to leave my bicycle made a huge difference after a long day on the road. I also preferred staying close to supermarkets, cafés, and restaurants, making it easier to buy food, prepare for the next day, and get a proper night’s rest.

For this journey, hotels weren’t about comfort or luxury—they were about recovery, security, and efficiency. They allowed me to start each morning ready for another long day in the saddle.

• How did you wash your clothes during the journey?

Every single day! Washing my cycling clothes became part of my daily routine.

• How did you manage food and water every day?

I planned my food one day at a time. Every evening, I bought everything I would need for the following day and packed it on the bicycle before leaving in the morning.

Lunch was almost always eaten on the road. I preferred simple, practical food that I could carry easily and eat during short breaks, so I rarely stopped at restaurants during the day.

Dinner was different. It was my opportunity to enjoy a proper meal, replace the calories I had burned, and recover for the next stage. After riding around 160 kilometres a day, a good evening meal became an important part of my daily routine.

• Did you have any mechanical problems with your bicycle?

Surprisingly, the bicycle performed flawlessly throughout the journey. Over 3,400 kilometres, I had only two punctures—and both happened on the same day! Apart from that, I didn’t experience a single mechanical problem.

I believe the key was starting the trip with the bicycle in excellent condition and carrying out regular checks along the way. That gave me the confidence to focus on the journey instead of worrying about the equipment.

• How did you navigate every day?

I’ve never used a dedicated GPS device. For years, I’ve relied entirely on my iPhone for navigation, and it has never let me down.

I actually own two iPhone Minis. One of them has a broken camera, so it has become my dedicated GPS for cycling trips. It stays permanently mounted on the handlebars, while I keep my main phone safely stored away.

Using an iPhone gives me much more than just navigation. I can use Komoot to follow my route, switch to Google Street View whenever I want to check a location, look for supermarkets or accommodation, and keep in touch with family through WhatsApp—all on the same device.

For me, it’s the perfect solution: simple, reliable, and far more versatile than a conventional GPS. Throughout the entire journey, it guided me without a single problem.

• How many photographs did you take?

More than 500!

• Did you lose any weight?

Only about 1 kilogram! 😊

That was one of my goals before leaving. I paid close attention to my nutrition throughout the journey, making sure I ate enough to replace the energy I burned each day.

Riding long distances is important, but eating and recovering properly are just as important. Finishing the journey with only 1 kilogram less than when I started showed me that my nutrition plan had worked well.

• Would you do it all again?

The day I arrived home, my answer would definitely have been “No!” 😊

Now, I already have a few new ideas…