Itchy Boots

It is finally time!! Most of the borders in Europe are open again, so I am going to start doing what I love most in this world: traveling on my motorcycle and taking you with me! This season will probably be a lonely one, as I am isolating myself and my Honda CB500x called "Ronin" as much as possible. But - I'm sure the adventures will be there nonetheless!

In this episode I am quickly crossing the border from Germany into Denmark. I am on my way to Hirtshals in Denmark, where I can catch the boat to Iceland! It's a rainy day, but luckily, it was dry for a short period so I could explore some viking history at the quaint Danish town of Jelling. Lots of motorcycling in the rain later, I reached my destination for the day.

In this episode I am exploring the North of Denmark, because I have one spare day before I board the boat to Iceland! I visit the Rudjerg Knude - a 70 meter high moving sand dune with a fascinating story! Riding my Honda CB500x called "Ronin" through the back roads of Denmark is such a blast. I never knew Denmark was so pretty and with such good motorcycling roads!

In this episode I am boarding the Smyril Line to Iceland. Before I can board the ship, I have to do a Covid-19 test, which goes smoothly. But as soon as I am on board, things don't really go as planned. First I manage to break my cabins door, and next I am not feeling very well as we encounter 3-5 meter high waves to which my stomach does not agree! What am I getting myself into?!

This is day 2 onboard the ship on my way to Iceland. This is the first time I have a glance at the remote Faroe Islands - what a stunning place. I would definitely like to go back there some day and explore those islands, but right now, I am staying onboard to get to Iceland. I am almost there and cannot wait to get off board!!

In this episode my HondaCB500x called "Ronin" and me finally arrive in Iceland. We are super lucky because the weather is amazing! We are riding north to visit the homeland of the elves and trolls...

In this episode, my Honda CB500x called "Ronin" and me are dealing with rain, strong winds and the cold air of Iceland. But it's part of the adventure and there is lots of interesting geological stuff to see around here! From Icelandite rocks at the Dettafoss waterfall, to the lava fields of the Krafla Fires!

In this episode I am checking out the frozen trolls of Iceland (or are they special geological features??), some awesome pseudo-craters and end with riding through stunning Fjords. Iceland has it all!!

In this episode I am riding 200 kilometers of gravel, straight through the heart of Iceland, passing glaciers and thermal hotspots before traversing 180 square kilometres of ancient lava fields. Iceland is truly an off-road motorcycling dream!

After a recommendation from a few locals, I change my plan and head to Iceland's West Fjords. It's pouring with rain most of the day, some I am quite glad when I can board the ferry for 2,5 hours or so!

In this episode I am riding through Icelands stunning unpaved West Fjords, I try to get my second test at the clinic and finally I continue on paved road to find a camping spot for the night.

This was without a doubt the most impressive day of motorcycling Iceland so far. I ride to Landmannalaugar, an incredible place, both scenery and geology wise!

In this episode I am riding to the black sand beach of small town Vik, in Iceland. This is one of the film locations of Game of Thrones! I look at the beautiful basaltic columns and then do some off-road riding in the highlands again. What a day!!

This episode is already the last ride in Iceland before I head back on the boat to Denmark! And what a day it was!!

And that was it already! My Iceland adventures have come to an end. I am boarding the M/S Norröna again and after 2 days of (smooth!) sailing, my Honda CB500X "Ronin" and I arrive back in Denmark. We are facing a temperature difference of some 30 degrees, making the camping experience completely different!

I am making my way to Sweden through Denmark and in this relaxed episode I am visiting the Egeskov castle, Europe's best preserved moat castle!

In this episode my Honda CB500x "Ronin" and I are riding from Denmark into Sweden. We explore the capital of Denmark, Copenhagen on the way and also admire the mystical rocks at Ales Stenar, Sweden's own Stonehenge...

In this episode I am traveling to the Swedish island called Gotland. The main town, Visby, is one of the most enchanting old towns I have ever seen. It is also a great place to experience my very first 'Fika'...

In this episode I am exploring the Swedish island Gotland a bit more and even take a small ferry across to Fårö island! I go and check out the sea stacks (or... cool limestone formations) but not before I meet this great Swedish guy who travels around on a 150cc Vespa!

In this episode I am riding my Honda CB500x "Ronin" to Stockholm to get some maintenance done. I indulge in some Swedish traditions such as eating pea soup with pancakes on Thursdays, ride around the historical city center and have an encounter with the Swedish Police..

In this episode I am trying a typical Swedish tradition - I am opening a can of Surströmming: fermented herring. Some say the smell resembles that of a dead body. Well, it was worse..

In this episode I am riding part of the Swedish TET - Trans Euro Trail. The trail runs through entire Sweden but I'm only going to ride a section of it. The trail is easy to ride and runs through the Sweden's beautiful forests. I find a gorgeous isolated camp spot where I can set up my tent and built a fire for the night!

In this episode I am riding to Umeå in Sweden to get some new tires for my Honda CB500X. It wasn't so easy to find dual purpose tires in this part of Sweden as the shops only sell street tires! Luckily, the Pirelli MT-60 tires didn't take long to order so that's what I went for. Ready to continue my journey North after this!

In this episode I meet some of my followers in Swedish Lapland and she tells me about discovering her Sami roots. Later I meet Jomi, who is also Sami and has his herd of reindeer up in the mountains. He was asked by his friend, the owner of my accommodation, to show me to the place. Along the way he teaches me which trees to use to built a good fire - best tips I ever got!!

I am so lucky! In this episode I meet the owner of the Stora Sjöfallet Mountain Center (www.storasjofallet.com) while riding in the National park there. He invites me to stay in the lodge and even arranges a helicopter flight for me over the National Park. What an incredible place!!

In this episode I am planning to cross the border into Finland from Sweden. But... when they see my Dutch passport at the border, I get a harsh respond. Finland, NO! Go Norway, or Sweden! So, I guess that's what I will do then!

In this episode I am riding 700 kilometers in one day to reach North Cape. I am rushing because winter is coming and at 71 degrees northern latitude it is getting cold! It's a stunning ride with fantastic scenery and lots of reindeer along the way. Was it worth coming up all the way here? DEFINITELY!

In this episode I am quickly leaving North Cape as bad weather is coming this way! It's a fantastic ride back south and this time I stop at Alta to admire thousands of years old rock art. I end my ride in Trømso, a city in Northern Norway with a beautiful setting.

In this episode I am riding further south, trying to escape bad weather. From Trømso I am riding to Lofoten Islands. I don't manage to escape the rain entirely, but a small window of dry weather at Lofoten Islands is all that I need!

In this episode I am further exploring the Lofoten Islands in Norway. The scenery is simply dramatic and despite some rain, it's a fabulous ride on my Honda CB500X called Ronin. I am taking the ferry back to mainland Norway, to Bødo, where I have to hunt for a new chain and sprockets because mine are worn!

Through rain, I ride my Honda CB500X Ronin through Norway. When I pass a motorcycle museum, I have to make a stop and check it out of course...

My plans were to see the south west of Norway, with all of it's stunning fjords, famous roads and incredible scenery. But a low pressure area hanging over Norway caused a long period of continuous rain and low visibility so I decided I had to leave this part of Norway for another time! Let's chase the SUN!

My Honda CB500X Ronin needs the 24.000 kilometre service AND she is getting a beautiful upgrade to an Akrapovic exhaust. This is the first step to make my motorcycle better suitable for harder offroad terrain and new adventures to come...