it took me another 11,5 hours straight to get back home. That is 1020 kilometers, four petrol stops, 2 sandwiches, a can of coke, two muesli bars, a medium coke, a cheeseburger, french fries and  3/4 of a litre of squash.

After I’d hit continental soil around 1.30pm I took off in search for bike-food, which I found after quite an awful lot of searching.  Straight on I went into Belgium where, after 3 hours I had to fill up again. Plus a sandwich, a muesli bar and a can of coke.
The journey continued and I started thinking about going for a long run, all the way home. Another empty tank later, just outside Dortmund I checked my watch: 7.15pm
Calculations started and I reckoned it would be another 5 hours if I went all the way. The weather being nice, that is slightly too hot for my and the bike’s liking, we agreed on speeding on. Two hours to Kassel was the next stint. Got there safe and sound, slightly taken aback by a wonderful sunset and red skies which almost took my breath away.
Soaking in the energy this scenery had given me, I was ready for the las part of the “long way home”. Stopped over at a local McD, I’ll leave it to you to find out which of the nutrition mentioned above I consumed.
The next petrol stop just off the A38 eastward signaled me that It would be another two hours and I was on schedule, as it was 10.30pm.
Cleaned the visor, it’s unbelievable what amount of bugs is still up at this time of day – it seems to be worse than in sunlight!
I have to admit that the last bit between Eisleben and Leipzig, which is non-motorway has been a pain in the butt, yet again since the signs are crap and you’ll have to deal with a major detour. Advice for anyone who plans to take the A38 to Goettingen: Go for Leipzig-Halle via the A14 and swich to the A38 just beyond Halle! Easier, faster, and so on…

Struck 12.15pm I read the long awaited sign saying I’d entered my home turf. Leipzig, I’m back again!

Once again, my compliments and thanks to Oli, Manda and their families for their generosity and hospitality – I don’t take that for granted, therefor I do really appreciate everything that happened over the last two weeks!
Hail to the Hale, Mark, t’was you ho helped us get them beasts ready for action – this on is especially to you!
Mom, I know you’ve been worried though you tried not to show it, but be sure that I love you!

Lastly, Oli, again. Dude, it has been some of the most awesome time EVER. Doing all of this with you has been worth it and more than this!

We did it – and I’m proud of it!

F