Not everything is "happy" and fun every week. Life is full of worries and troubles of different sizes. On Fridays, we usually try to highlight the positive things from the week and think about what we can be grateful for. We'll do that today too, but we need to let ourselves be little sad too.
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Stolen electric bike
After all, a bike is 'just' a bike. It is material. It will be possible to replace it one day. None of us are sick or injured. That's good!
At the same time, we have to say that we were very sad when we discovered on Tuesday that my (Helena's) electric bike was stolen. We have chosen it carefully and waited three months for it to be shipped from China. Finding a similar electric bike in Europe is difficult, and at a much higher price.
It's also tricky for us that the bike is disappearing now while travelling. We need the bikes to get around smoothly, and without them everything becomes much more complicated. At least now we've had time to regroup. Here are some questions and answers for those who want to know more:
- How was the bike stolen? We had locked it securely (locking chain) in a bike rack in the centre of town. Magdeburgin the middle of the day. When we came back, the chain was cut.
- What do the German police say? The local police did not want to accept the report at first (because we did not have a frame number with us and because "we could do it in Sweden"), but on day 2 (when we were better prepared with written information in German) we were allowed to make a report.
- What do the Swedish police say? We can also register in Sweden if we want to. Their advice is: use 2-3 locks and choose locks that can only be cut with an electric saw.
- What does the insurance company say? We are welcome to report the theft, but they prefer us to attach a receipt (which we have in Sweden) so we will probably have to wait until the autumn.
- What do we do now? We'll try to make do with just one bike for the trip (I'll rent one if necessary). When we get home, we want to order a new one - and then we will be much more careful about safety!
Fantastic summer heat
What is really nice (Happy Friday) is that we have fantastic summer heat here in Germany. The last few days the temperature has been between 26 and 28 degrees centigrade. Absolutely incredible!
The temperature is perfect when relaxing in a recliner with a cold drink. When walking long distances in hilly terrain, it is not really just as perfect. Yesterday we took over 26,000 steps in the heat (remember, we can't cycle anymore!) and we both came back to the campervan completely exhausted with both headaches and blisters... Happy Friday!
Beautiful and exciting destinations
However, we have to say that Germany is a great country to travel in. There is so much beauty everywhere, it's unbelievable! We told you yesterday about the wonderful little half-timbered town of Celle. After that we have visited Magdeburg, which has a lot of exciting things to offer, and now we have rolled towards the Harz, for nature experiences.
What about the language?
Some Germans are very good at English, and others don't speak English at all, it's very different. Usually it goes well either way. Many speak better than they want to pretend from the beginning (because they are nervous), or you have to try sign language or if the words happen to be the same as in Swedish - it's not impossible at all. Sometimes when you see signs you almost think it's in Swedish!
You might think that English would be fine at tourist offices, but that's not entirely true. On our last visit to a tourist office, the language was difficult, but then a witch (!) suddenly appeared and helped in fluent English. It always works out somehow. Happy Friday!
Best this week
The best thing about this week is that the journey continues, despite the bike theft, and that we have learnt to lock the next bike. super-ordinate. We are also happy and grateful for the great weather, and for all the amazing places we get to see and experience.
What can you highlight as positive from your week?
The week ahead
Over the next week there will be a lot going on! We will continue to discover the area around Harz - and then we will fly to Croatia! We've been nominated for the Golden Pen (for good articles about Croatia) and will be joining the festivities in Split. Don't miss out on joining us here and on @freedomtravelnews on Instagram, because things are about to happen!
Did you miss the last Happy Friday? Read the Experiences and encounters on the road ... and lots of jobs
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Kenneth Risberg says:
Sorry about the bike theft, I know how it is when I lost my World Champion bike (Crescent) I had for at least 40 years. Will never see it again. A few days after that they took the rear wheel of my Scott MTB bike but then I could drag it home on the front wheel.
Örebro is the top city for bicycle theft. If they can't cut the lock, they carry angle grinders and sometimes cut open the bike rack.
Hope you still have a good trip and a bike can always be replaced somehow.
Wishing you a nice weekend!
20 May 2022 - 7:02
Helena says:
Ugh, so sad!!! We will get better locks, but you can never completely protect yourself anyway, unfortunately ... Thank you, yes the bike will be replaced in time, even though we miss it now.
20 May 2022 - 19:52
Solan says:
You have the right to miss your bike, without the obligatory "nobody is hurt". It's sad when it happens, despite the solid chain lock.
🚲 Of course it's a problem for you, everything goes so much more smoothly with a bike to and from the motorhome.
All these marvellous interlocking cities. It's like you get chequered in the ball and get lost. Fortunately, there is a GPS in the mobile phone nowadays. 😊🧭
.
20 May 2022 - 8:39
Helena says:
You are so wise! 🙂 Yes, of course you can miss your stuff. And we also miss the freedom it gave to have bicycles. "Chequered in the ball", haha, yes there are many half-timbered houses always!!!
20 May 2022 - 19:54
Mr Nils-Åke Hansson says:
I sympathise with you, I've been there myself: And yesterday I had the catalytic converter of my small car stolen.
But try to have a good trip anyway.
20 May 2022 - 10:01
Helena says:
Thank you very much! And what about the catalyst ...!!!? That doesn't make sense!
20 May 2022 - 19:54
bmlarstravellingblog says:
Pepper, pepper, our bikes have survived so far but sometimes you wonder how long it will go???? Grrr...
It is strange that it should be so difficult to get information in English in Germany, no brochures in English and many of the staff at tourist offices only know German. However, it seems that there is a younger generation with better language skills.
Hope you still have a wonderful trip in wonderful summer weather!
20 May 2022 - 16:28
Helena says:
Hope your bikes will survive. You should have really good locks anyway!!! And yes, it is a bit surprising sometimes when they do not know English at the tourist offices, and do not have any brochures in English ... It will probably change, but it takes its time 😉 Then we also meet those who speak really good English, but you never know 😉.
20 May 2022 - 19:57
BP says:
What a shame about the bike theft. Totally unnecessary. Your bike was really eye-catching with orange wheels. Guess you are somewhat alone in having owned one. Bloody hell. Make sure Peter's bike doesn't go the same way. By the way - there might be room for you as a passenger on the luggage rack there;-)
PS. I think I forgot to congratulate the nomination for your articles on Croatia. Absolutely fantastic and you are worthy of the award. It will be exciting to see if you go all the way. DS.
20 May 2022 - 18:48
Helena says:
Yes, very sad. I liked the bike a lot and really miss it. But yes, hehe, it is possible to ride on the back of Peters if necessary. I have tried and maybe will try again 😉 And thank you very much! We will see how it goes in Croatia, but fun anyway!
20 May 2022 - 19:58
Matts Torebring says:
My dream is a life without all these passwords and locks. Despite this, we lock up as soon as everything is out of sight. For our expensive electric bikes we have a hardened motorbike chain with cm thick links and a strong lock. We have survived thefts and burglaries over the years. We suffer with you in the middle of a long-awaited journey.
20 May 2022 - 19:53
Helena says:
Yes, you'd like to avoid all the locks and passwords, but that's obviously not possible. I thought my chain was pretty rough, but obviously not rough enough. They have cut it straight off. Will find something better for next time!
20 May 2022 - 20:01
Ditte says:
Really sad about the stolen bike but have realised that it is "common". Special locks can help but they are also heavy to carry around.
I hope you can rent a bike because there are many advantages to travelling by bike - what a great nomination! Congratulations. You are so well worth it.
Best this week? Quite a lot. Have sold pictures, enjoyed the beautiful Swedish early summer and new work assignments.
Wishing you a nice weekend.
20 May 2022 - 20:21
Helena says:
Yes, bicycle theft is unfortunately relatively common. We simply have to get better locks. Thanks for the congratulations! And what fun that you have sold pictures again! Congratulations!
23 May 2022 - 18:07
Monica says:
Ugh what a pain with these thefts, much in Sweden but is probably similar in more countries as now. Got rid of my nice Crescent and think that neither locks nor chains help, they had apparently lifted the entire bike rack on some truck and got away.
And this week has been crazy with strange events. Got very tired so will do something fun and think about something else.
Thought like someone else here, maybe you can sit in the "basket"....
And then I worry about the motorhome if you fly away from it.
Otherwise, I wish you good luck and continued good and exciting experiences, but of a pleasant nature.
Take care and enjoy yourselves.
20 May 2022 - 20:40
Helena says:
Yes, it's sad with these stands, and it happens in many places. Sorry about your bike and yes, if they lift the bike rack, locks do not help ... We will still get better locks for next time, it at least reduces the risk. And yes, I can barely ride on the back of Peter's bike! It will probably be like that sometimes ...! Thank you for taking care of our motorhome! We leave it from time to time (e.g. in Sweden and in Hamburg we left it for three days) so we hope it will be fine. We won't leave any valuables in it (except Peter's bike which we lock inside the garage).
23 May 2022 - 18:11
Maria/emjis.se says:
Super sad about theft, whatever it is. It simply ruins your plans! Hope you get a loaner bike so you don't have to walk all the time!
Happy this week... Yes... it has been just the right amount of warmth and comfort. The trees are starting to turn green and the cowslips are blooming! We are in the process of going through the motorhome for sale so everything is top notch! By the way, there was fraud with the foreign buyer ...
Happy weekend!!! Take care!
20 May 2022 - 22:42
Helena says:
Yes, so sad with thefts. We have planned to have two bikes, and then we suddenly do not have it ... Hope it goes well with your sales!!!
23 May 2022 - 18:12
Travel Friday says:
Sorry to hear about your bike. Got another super sad theft news from my German extra sister in Berlin a couple of weeks ago, their nice HUSBIL had been stolen on the street outside them (in Berlin that is). So a bike I can kind of understand that people steal (even if it's super sad). But a motorhome??? Absolutely crazy.
Good luck in Croatia!
28 May 2022 - 19:53
Lena - good for the soul says:
So insanely sad with the bike! Hope it now resolved!
Yes, many films in Germany are terrible in English. This can happen when English-language films are dubbed in German, etc.
Hehe, what luck that a witch showed up!
Hug Lena
02 September 2022 - 12:50