Unfortunately, my dream of reaching Kiruna is over. The last two days have been a roller coaster of emotions. When Tommy decided to leave, I said I would also go. So, we took the bikes to xxl to have them broken down for the train. I felt terrible for most of the day until I called xxl and said I was picking up my bike and would continue. Fast forward to the following morning when the panic of going alone settled in and I said to myself maybe this is it. I decided to go home, until suddenly I see an older gentleman with a fully loaded bike I asked him where he was going and he said north. I asked if I could join him and he said absolutely. I was on again. So, we left the campground at 8:00 and off we went. We had to take an alternate route for bikes were not allowed on that part of 45. We got so utterly lost that at 11:00 We had done a full circle on were back at the same gas station we started at. It was like a punch in the stomach. I think it was during that 3 hours I felt it was time to go home to my family. The sore knees and numb fingers needed a break. So, we parted ways and I thanked him for opportunity but it was then I felt OK with my decision. So, I will go home holding my head up high for I had an amazing trip through Sweden and so many beautiful places, met very nice people and made new friends in Orsa. We made it 1032 kilometers around 644 miles and as to date raised almost 5000 kronor for the cancer fund.
I want to thank my family and all my friends who showed me so much support and encouragement during the trip and to all those who made donations . Thank you! I'll be back with some other crazy adventure to write about
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
The journey ends
Monday, June 6, 2016
Link to fund
I'm not sure how to copy and paste on my phone but if you want to follow to my page in the fund you can Google, dave muller malmo to Kiruna and you will see it.
Also on one of my posts information on the barn cancer fund in English, I put a little guide to help you through.
Ostersund
I have to say good-bye to Tommy tomorrow. He has decided to go home. He did such a fantastic job and I will miss him. He was out front of me the whole way. So a big congratulations to you Tommy! So, I will peddle on early tomorrow and hopefully finish this journey. There has been so many times I just want to throw in the towel and go home to my family. Then I think of any struggles I may encounter during my ride are small compared to those children and the family struggling with this disease every single day. So, onto Hoting and the artic circle!
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Arrived in Svenstavik
We left Sveg at 07:00 this morning and was quite chilly. It turned out to be a beautiful day. Good biking weather. Tommy was up late last night reading so he lacked his usual energy. So, at one point when he wanted to eat waffles, I decided we would meet up in Svenstavik. I stopped in this one little town and had tunn bread with reindeer meet. Delicious! When I arrived here, while waiting for Tommy, I met one of the most interesting characters I've ever met. He was 74 years old and the stories he told me were so interesting. We chatted for an hour and could of went on. He rang me later just to make sure we had a place to stay. Anyway, you'll see his pic.
We found a little hotel here and just finished a big pizza. That's the great thing of riding all day. You don't have to worry about gaining weight. Anyway, very tired now, more tomorrow. Also, the one picture is of an American I met at the store here and his girlfriend. They were trying there best to help us find a place
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Arrived in Sveg
We left Orsa this morning and it was definitely on the chilly side. Luckily for us we had that extra day of Rest because it was pretty brutal the first 5 hours. The hills were relentless as was the headwind. I told Erik, I kept seeing the scene from Rocky, when Apollo knocks him down and Micky is telling him 'stay down stay down" but Rocky justs wants to finish the fight and he gets up. That was me today.
Then when we finally had smooth sailing, my pedal snaps off. I'm 25 kilometres from Sveg and it's the weekend. Trips done! I call Erik in Orsa, he makes a couple of calls and tells me that this guy who has a bicycle shop in Sveg was in Orsa today competing in a around the lake event and would be back in Sveg about the time I get there. I managed to pedal the last 25 and met him just as he pulled in. All fixed and ready for tomorrow. A true miracle! So, thank you so much to you Erik and Christine, Roger in Sveg, who by the way would not except a kronor from me. For without them my journey would be over. So in my pics will be a picture of Erik and his beautiful family and Roger. And Roger, if you are ever in Gothenburg, please give me a ring, I would like to return the favor. 0761905107
So, anyway overall a very exciting day. We will try to make it as close to Ostersund as possible but it's 186 kilometres. 140 would be nice.
Friday, June 3, 2016
On to Sveg tomorrow
It was a very nice rest day in Orsa. Thank you to Orsa camping for two great nights. Very much appreciated. It will energize us for our push forward to Sveg. We didn't get to the show tonight, the line was to long.
Yesterday, I got to talking to a lady here whose husband is from New Jersey. So, we met briefly yesterday and winds up his hometown is pretty close to mine. Pretty small world! Also, Erik is a very avid biker and luckily for me a bicycle mechanic who actually worked for the company Specilized, which makes my bike. He invited me to his house today, which besides the brutal climb up the mountain to his home,was great. He did an awesome job cleaning up my chain and gave the bike a complete check to make sure I will make Kiruna. Plus gave me a few spare parts, just in case. So a big thank you Erik it was a real pleasure to meet you and Christine. Hope to see you and your family in Gothenburg. Anytime!
So, tomorrow we head out early to Sveg, which is 123 kilometers. Then onto Ostersund or as close as we can get. Update tomorrow night.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Arrived in Orsa
We're here in Orsa Camping. Absolutely beautiful! It was a nice ride from Vansbro today. We stopped at a really nice restaurant by a lake and had an awesome buffet. Kind of regretted it on some of the inclines. We went through Mora and then onto Orsa. I've been having some problems with my pinky finger. It started tingling a few days ago and has developed a mind of its own. Can't really control it. So, I went to the doctor here and he is also a big bicyclist and he said just to try varying my hand position. He gave me the OK to push on. We are going to stay here at the campground one more day. I think we really need it to push on. Orsa camping sponsored us for another night because of the barn cancer fund. Sofie in the office was as nice in person as she seemed in her emails. So a big thank you to her.
Tomorrow, Jerry Williams is playing here with some other artists, so I think I'll check it out. Just going to relax, do some swimming and get ready for Saturday. Next update tomorrow