Athletic competition - Women from Harz journey to the North Cape while wearing running shoes and using bicycles.
These two sisters, Malou Traina and Phelia Mueller, hail from Harz but they never shy away from embarking on exciting ventures. Their latest escapade took them about 2650 kilometers, mixing cycling and walking. They reached their destination, the North Cape, which is the northernmost point on the European mainland accessible by road.
"It was incredible! I don't think we'll realize we're actually here until we don't get back on the bike the next day," Traina shared a few hours after she got there.
The sisters started their journey in Wassersleben, Schleswig-Holstein, near the German-Danish border. Their mornings began at 4:30 am - they'd wake up, pack their things, attach them to the bike, and set off. They traveled approximately 80 kilometers a day. First, Mueller would cover 20 kilometers on foot, then Traina. Then they'd cycle together on a bike specifically designed for people with disabilities, one they found after a long online search. It has two wheels and space for both sisters to step on and sit in front of each other. "This bike was perfect for us," Mueller said before they reached the North Cape. "We could cycle alone and together."
The experience and adventure were always the main focus for them, not necessarily the athletic aspect. They shared their journey through their Instagram channel, "beatthemiles." They documented their good luck with the weather, their husbands as support, encounters with elk and a beluga whale, and their enjoyment of traditional Scandinavian sweets. They also shared news of the only accident they encountered. The 24 and 22-year-old women hadn't planned for fixed rest days on their trip. They aimed to cover the distance in 38 days. However, they completed it in just 35 days, as stated on their Instagram post at the destination. "And we could have gone faster," Mueller added, who, along with Traina, has three other sisters. Each day was filled with highlights, they believed. In recent years, the Harz women had already done a circumference of the Chiemsee on running shoes and a run from Bremen across Germany to the Zugspitze.
Once back home, they'll need to process their experiences before anything else, the two speculated. Before reaching their destination, they had also noticed that they were approaching their physical limit. "It's this kind of general tiredness - not necessarily muscle pain. Evening on the mattress already feels painful in your legs," said one of the former Girl Scouts.
They expect to return to Harz in a few days via Sweden. And another trip is on the horizon: "We're adventurers, always seeking excitement," shared one of the former Girl Scouts. "We enjoy rain and even when it's uncomfortable, we still love it."
Read also:
- Despite hailing from Harz, Malou Traina and Phelia Mueller frequently embark on trips across Europe, showcasing their adventures on their Instagram channel "beatthemiles."
- Their most recent journey led them through Lower Saxony, a region in Germany, before they reached their destination, the North Cape in Norway.
- During their leisure time, they embraced the local culture, enjoying traditional Scandinavian sweets and encounters with wildlife such as elk and a beluga whale.
- As they traveled, they utilized a specially adapted bicycle, ideal for their journey, which allowed them to cycle together and separately, promoting both teamwork and individual experiences.
- Their colorful running shoes were constant companions throughout the trip, supporting them through every step of their 2650-kilometer journey from Schleswig-Holstein to the North Cape.
- In Saxony-Anhalt, they also discovered the joy of running shoe and bicycle-oriented leisure activities, enhancing their love for adventure and physical challenges.
