StrangeTrue is a live account of a solo bicycle trip starting in April 2013 from a still wintery Berlin and (hopefully) ending in St. Petersburg around August. These pages are part attempt to archive the travels for myself and part attempt to make sure my mother knows that I’m still alive.
The Route
A pin-by-pin trip plan
As captured on my wall prior to departure, the proposed itinerary is: Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Vienna, Zilina, Auschwitz, Krakow, Lviv, Kiev, Kharkiv, Moscow, Veliky Novgorod, Saint Petersburg. As the google map flies, this itinerary would encompass ~4000km. But, one of the trip goals is to keep planning to a minimum and allow conditions, strange encounters and whims to influence the route. So, you’ll have to check back in to determine how actual results compare.
The Bike
A custom Comotion Pangea from Oregon. Shoutouts to Michael Orff at Wheelworks, Harris Cyclery, Peter White Cycles, and Wayne at the TouringStore for all their help in sourcing and assembly. Check out the full gear list.
Much to his dismay, dog does not fit in pannier
The Rider
Lives in New England, USA and quit his job in December 2012 for adventure and journey. He is available for corporate parties and consultation on digital media recommendation technology. Dog is a certified Scrum Master with Six Sigma Black Belt and is working on getting from Good to Great.
Hi Michael,
Hope this finds you well! I’ve been following you for a couple weeks, since seeing your FB post 4-5 days info the trip.
I am watching your progress with great interest. How did you choose your way points? I’m guessing genealology factors in?
Anyway – have a good, safe trip. You are motivating me to get around and do a Kalamazoo to Mackinac Bridge trip one of these summers!
Jim
Thanks for the follow!
The trip is partly family-historical based. Both sides of my family left Kiev, Ukraine to come to the US in the 1890s to early 1900s. Though, we really have no history or contacts in the Ukraine. I’ve always been fascinated by Russia (literature, film, history, etc). And, though I’ve traveled a bunch in western Europe. all of these cities (Dresden, Prague, Vienna, Krakow, etc) are new to me. So, I figured it would be a good way to link them together into a single route.
You should totally do that Michigan trip. Looks like ~300miles, so maybe 4-5 days of biking…
So many references to russian literature! I’m really impressed.
Probably, i will never met such good person from USA like you.
It was amzing!
Most foreigners that i met in Moscow learnt nothing about Moscow and Russia.
Thank, you.
Thanks for the kind words, Alex. Though, I fear my fellow countrymen may have set the bar low
Do you have a blog for your trip?