Last Updated on: March 25, 2026

The ride to Schleswig Holstein did not go quite as planned, much thanks to multiple detours in Germany. Surprises there will always be.

Thanks to a detour, a surprise of a road south of Harz, Germany.

First detour was a good one

From Erfurt I set a northern course. Stayed on smaller roads for the most part. It was going to be a long day and ditto distance. The idea was to ride along south / western borders of Harz and north.

But that wasn’t mean to be. In Nordhausen, just south of Harz, my plan fell apart. it often does. Several detours forced me onto a road to a small village. It turned out to be a one way in, one way out place. Or, that was until I discovered a gravel road behind a barn, leading up a small hill. Turned out to be a completely washed out road across that hill and some fields (above picture).

This road led me to a main road along Harz forest. Due to a new series of detours I actually ended up riding into and across Harz. Precisely what I didn’t want. Had one coffee and fuel stop. it was cold. Surprisingly cold for late July. Lowest temp was down towards 10C, with wind and rain.

So this is how I actually ended up riding less than a kilometer west of where I stayed back in June 2019. Out of Harz I just pushed on, and didn’t care much for stopping.

Schleswig Holstein – Elbfãhre

I’d been in these parts of Germany before. Having booked service the next day in Schleswig Holstein I had no time for sightseeing. The plan was to meet up with Truls-Erik at Elbfãhre, the ferry across from Wischafen to Glûckstadt. As I finally arrived there, he was behind me. So I decided to take the ferry across, and wait for him on the other side.

The nice Danish couple and the BMW R1100RT on Elbefâhre.

You always meet other bikers when riding around in Europe. That is part of the adventure, not to know what or who. On the ferry across the Elbe I met a nice Danish couple, both riding their own bikes. She was a short woman, riding a BMW R1100 RT.

For those who don’t know, the BMW R1100RT is a big and heavy bike. Around 282 kilos, fully fuelled. Then add luggage on top of that! As we rode off the ferry we had to help her getting the bike off the ferry. After that ordeal she muttered it was the last ride she’d do on that bulky thing.

I completely get that. Brave woman though!

At BMW dealer Bergmann & Söhne, Neumümster, Germany

Truls-Erik arrived not long after, and together we rode up to Neumünster where we both had service appointments the next day. At two different workshops.

Schleswig Holstein – Denmark & home

Doing service in Germany have used to save Norwegians quite a bit of money. But of later years the currency exchange Euro / NOK hasn’t been very good. I don’t think there’s much difference now. Parts may still be more expensive at home though.

Trip counter shows 5882 kilometers on arrival home.

Well it doesn’t matter. Service one must have, regardless. All done we rode north through Denmark, too our different ferries the day after. It had been another great Euro Adventure.

As I parked the motorcycle home the speedo showed over 5800 kilometers, through 9 countries. Not half bad for a fortnights worth of riding. For those interested, click here to see more images from the trip. Thanks for reading!

The 2024 Euro Adventure. Recorded live with Locatoweb.