Travels with Rustyplough: Wednesday 3rd June

Good news was it was a sunny morning… bad news that the wind hadn’t slackened one bit so I was worried about the ferry crossing from Puttgarden in Germany to Rodby in Denmark – as it was it was needless as the boat just took it all in its stride although I was relieved when I got back down to the car deck at the end of the crossing ad found the bike still standing upright!

Met some fellow bikers as you do in the queue for the ferry. A little Spanish guy and his wife on a BMW loaded so high with bags and topped with an Italian flag that I thought he’d after go in the truck lane. Apparently he owned a motor cycle clothing and accessory shop in Barcelona – according to the wad of business cards he shoved into my hands much to the embarrassment of his wife. Her embarrassment continued on the ferry as I saw him handing them out to all and sundry – bikers or not.

There were a couple of Germans – big bears of men who had hearts of pure gold as I later learned.

Then there was Rick, an American from Vermont who looked a lean, fit 60/62 year old and who stuck out amongst us for two main reasons – we were all doing impersonations of black leather and textile bound Michelin men and he was in lycra leggings and a thin day-glow yellow top, we had various macho boys’ toys and he had a tired looking pedal cycle with tiny panniers front and back – oh and a sign on the rear saying – “Rick”. He was cycling to Copenhagen which in itself deserved a lot of respect as it was some 98 miles up the road but then he added he had cycled from Paris – and after a few days in Copenhagen he was cycling down to Frankfurt to meet Sally his partner and they were then off to Basle together – on their bikes. Talking about our travels I asked if he’d been to England and he had, some 50 years ago – when he was 23 and in the army! The guy was 73 – that Vermont air must be good.

The motorway towards Copenhagen was wonderful, just one amazing bridge linking islands after another.

It was though marred by a minor breakdown. I carry tons of spares and am prepared for most eventualities – except my cash helmet falling to pieces – didn’t see that coming. In fact didn’t see much for a few seconds as the “flip up lid” flipped down! Fortunately there was an exit almost immediately and so I was able to pull off. Close examination of offending lid revealed a screw had come loose on the inner thingymajig and,although took a whil, a bit of microsurgery with a swiss army knife and a screwdriver sorted it – ish! The Germans I mentioned must have seen me pull off and stop because after a while they doubled back to see if I was ok - good this biker lark innit!

I had to Skirt Copenhagen to get to Sweden but Froggie was insistent that I showed him Hans Christian Andersons Little Mermaid so a slight detour was made.

Actually a longer detour than expected as Copenhagen it seems is being moved by great big yellow dumper trucks to somewhere else and many of the roads Satnav Jane thought she knew were no longer there - a lot of “Turn around when possible”.

Froggie wasn't the only critter out that day - Mr and Mrs Goose were taking the family for a walk in the park...

Then on to the Oresund Bridge and Sweden. I can now drop into conversations “When I popped into Denmark for the day ….” If you are in to Scandinavian Crime series you’ll know about “The Bridge” - an amazing bridge and indeed tunnel complex which links Denmark to Sweden – great view, would have been good to see it from a vertical position! Didn't get a photo of this bridge as nowhere safe to stop so watch this space on the return leg!

Rode past probably the most laid back bus stop I’ve ever seen.

Now, certain members of my family have a thing about wild boars – never seen one but are convinced they are not good things to be chased through woods by.