The Beginning

2009-08-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

Here is my blog from my cyclingadventure as started June 2008 and gone on til August 2009.

2008-06-15
Before the journey.

Hello there! I'm a Swedish Magician and I have decided to cycle from Bristol over to France and follow the North Sea up to Sweden with the back rack full of Magic paraphernalia.

It started with a spring time feeling of wanting to go out on a adventure; I mentioned the bike idea to some mates in The little Lab (An eccentric Cafe in the St George area of Bristol, UK). From there onwards my friends have been helping and supporting me in a way I never expected. Everything from finding a decent bike to be given pannier bags and getting into physical shape and bouncing ideas. They all been there to get me sussed. I feel like being carried by a wave (You know who you are, Thank you guys,=) .

I gonna write here about how things turn out and upload some pictures from the places I reach. I'm in mid process of getting rid of stuff as I collected over eight years here in England.

Fri the 20th June I am leaving Bristol. (Thats when the rent run out.)

18-06-08

Test run in Bath

It's getting closer to the set off and I felt a bit of a worry before yesterday, 'cause to perform magic on the street is a completely new concept for me. So, I thought it would be a good idea to try it out to see if I could do it.

Here I sit with Nick and Andy on the way to Bath. Nick is the guy as helped me finding a proper bike and advising me on how a be equipped for a good tour. Andy have been acting as my coach and planned several practice routes around England.

Yesterday they came with me for moral support and a good day out.

Here we are seeing how the bike behaves and if it can handle a fair bit off weight.It took me a while to get used to and not wobble around to much =)

SHOW TIME!

For the first street show it worked out all right. Now I feel more confident that I'm not gonna starve on my tour. I hope the audiences in Europe are as friendly as they where in Bath....Here you see the remnants of the show.

So lets head of for the adventure!

photos by Nick.

Leaving party.
Thursday 19th June

We had a little party before leaving Bristol, still packing and preparing for the ride. As it became later ( 2:00 in the morning) we decided to take the rest of my things to Andys and Emmas loft, four people walking in the night loaded with stuff, wrangling along a bit after consuming those beers. The whole situation made us bursting in laughter.

Nick and I went back to attack the rest as needed doing. As Nick still making some thing for my bike (a big black disk with the letters ''Is It wheely Magic'' to go in my front wheel, I fell asleep in the sofa.

Picture sleeping on sofa
When I woke up and open my eyes there was Nick sleeping in the other sofa.

Pedalling a long.
Friday 20th June
picture of morning with bike
From being a bit restless to getting everything sorted in time, walking out of the house with the bike made me smile and the adventure could start. As I led my bike towards the Cycle path I realised how heavily loaded it was, it was like leading a small motor bike along. Good job I listened to Nick and got a steel framed bike (as it flexes with the movement), an aluminium one would have probably broken before Bath.

Picture of me wieving the path

After mounting the bike I turned and twisted all over the place and the cycle path was quite busy this morning. After a while the bike and I became friends and started to gain some speed.

Picture of tunnel.
Going through the tunnel was like magic itself. It's like leaving the busy city and coming out some where else. Here, there were fewer people and more spac to twist around. =)
First, In Bath I stopped to have breakfast, and here I also bought some innertubing, a good pump and a tent. That was good thinking because I had my first puncture a bit later.
Picture of puncture.
Studying the maps in Bristol aiming towards Devizes I suddenly remembered that my friend and ex-Acrobatic Teacher lived with her family along the canal.

Jon shows his model of Blackpool Tower Circus

This train takes children between school and home.

Marja and me at Bognor sea front

So I text Nikki as quickly reply. They tell me about the Crop circles as are past Devizes by Honey Street. They have camping facilities as well.

Well at honey street I find The Barge Inn and ask June (A friendly woman who has her own pub with her husband) if I can do a show for the guests and pass my hat around afterwards. She let me and the audience were very friendly and participating in the show. I collected enough money that night for a few meals =) June showed me around the pub and spoke about the Crop circles after the show.

I wanted to go to Stonehenge that night as it was the summer soltice, but could I find my front light? No, I couldn't. I was allowed to pitch up my new tent next to the pub though...

Saturday 22nd June

From the Crop circles to Bognor Regis.

Waking up before sunrise, knowing that I needed to do a longer ride this day to catch up with not cycling the day before (Because of improvising the first route). This day I was dirty from sleeping on the sofa, cycling on gravel and batting my leg against the chain wheel. So I just wanted to put some mileage behind me and reach my friend Marja in decent time.

There where a few hills that way, on the afternoon I didn't appreciate them too much and started to spit out ugly words while pushing the pedals up the hills.

Eventually I saw the first bit of sea and from there on it became flatter. Just before reaching Bognor my front pannier bag broke, the clips couldn't take the weight, the straps went into the spokes. I'm glad that didn't happen down hill on the busy main road. I'm also extremely grateful that Nick had the sense to put some cable ties in the first aid kit that he supplied to me.

I got to Bognor around fiveish. Marja is a great hostess and fed me plenty of carbohydrates to replace those I lost =) We had a refreshing walk along Bognor sea front. I slept ''well good'' that night in a proper bed.

Sunday 23rd June

From Bognor to Lydd

Now it was time for a second long ride. This one to the Romney Marsh to stay with the legendary Jon Anton. The ride was extremely easy till I passed Brighton. But well after Seaford the hills began again. Asking for the way, people warned me for the hill of Eastbourne. That wasn't with out reason I tell you, but there was an even bigger one after Hastings (Bloody Hill) . Still got here in descent time. I'm here now and writing in Jon Anton's Place.

Monday 24th June

Restday and sightseeing with Jon

Jon is a man full of stories from travelling and performing around the whole world. He got his skills passed on to him from his ancestors. Before I met him, I remember an incredible act that balanced golf clubs and balls on his head. After meeting Jon, I realised it was him.

We had breakfast on the famous ''White Cliffs of Dover'' this morning. Jon then showed me around the sea front and all the things worth seeing including travelling on a miniature steam train from New Romney to Dungeness. He might chuck some knives at me later.

Thrue Europe

The long River.

Leving Dover.

Hello again!

Long time, no see.... I got a few new pictures and also a couple of videos. I forgot my video cable in one of the pannier bags, so the videos got to wait.

Tuesday

Let's start with what happen after Jon Anton chucked knifes at me. I had to konqure a few hills to reach Dover. Damn! The USB in this internet cafe dosn't seem to work eather so the lovely pictures must wait as well.

Anyway I got to Calais and all shops was closed and I needed some maps, so I tock in at one off Calais camp sites. I wanted to do a Magic show, But explaining this to the Camp site Manager as didn't speak English was harder than I emagined. I think he thought I where a kind of Gypsy person as tried to give him one of my gems to get free access to the camp site. He said ''NO, No need, you don't pay, one night only'' So I just pitched up my tent and went to bed.

Wednesday

Finding out of Calais the next morning wasn't eather a easy task, but well finding the right route, it was a long flat and straight road as quickly tock me to Belium.

Belium have some lovely beaches, lots of sand and lovely beer. I spent a Night there. Unfortunatly the wind was to mighty this day for doing any kind of magic by the beach.

Thursday

Next day which ever date it's now, 'cause cycling made me stop counting the days, I got in to Holland. I love Holland, people are so friendly and helpful. Beacause most people use bikes here, they are all extremly fit. Theres animals everywhere. Horses, Dears, Peacooks, goats and every Animal you can think of...Almost!

Friday

I spent one night in camp as had all those animals. The day after I checked out Rotterdam. Here my knees was so sored... I thought '' If here is a river here might be some boats to take me up the river. The boats just toke me a few miles South East, Oh well it was east anyway!

I cycled on, following the river to a lovely Camp site (De Zwan) in Herwijnen. Here I met Pim and Anja. Two lovely people as suggested me to perform a show for the lodgers. It went down very well. Anja mention a festival as should be in the village next day so I stayed one night more. Before bedtime I got served a termo flask with Coffie and Cakes to my tent. I sipped it whiles watching the boats going up the river.

Saturday

Yesterday I tried performing on the streets in Herwijnen. I think I have lots to learn about performing on the streets. It's a completly new consept to me. My Teacher Helen at Circomedia as have lots off experiens from this says it take a couple of weeks to grasp. Well I got the time i suppose =).

Well back to the river I had a lovely swim and then a cup off coffie and some breakfast bread with my neighbours (A particular bread as they eat in Holland for Breakfast.)

Sunday 29th June

Today I just followed the River to Nijmegen. Watching the suroundings, water, animals and nature take me back to my childhood. It's like being in a good ''Saga''.

Now I'm here in Nijmegen and seeing if I can get hold of a friend as lives here?

One of many wind mills in Holland.

Henk and Hammert shows how totense the spokes.

Hello, Thanks for your comments. Nice to hear from you guys =)

It has been great to see Europe. I'm home in Karlshamn now. It has happen a lot under these few days, I plan to go up to North Finland next.

I wrote last in Nijmegen. As I didn't get hold of my friend, I cycled on to find a camp, visiting some bars on the way and trying out more different brands of beers, served by attractive girls....

I found a camp by De Steeg. I pitched my tent up next to a hedge. On the other side of the hedge was a big noisy road. When I cycled to Nijmegen I thought about things as can make my show more street friendly, I come up with some dangerous stuff, cause that's what I guessing people on the street likes. To get these things to reality I needed to find some where comfortable to do the drawings and it was still a long way to Sweden. Next day I planned to cycle many miles but something unexpected happened.

DE STEEG - OLDENZAAL

As I been cycling along with all packing, I have cycled over many bumps as make my coins rattle in the box and land between ropes and balls. Also the back wheel brim got a thrust from the bumps. Just outside Hengelo I hear weird noises from the back of the bike. When I inspect my bike there's a big crack in the brim and a spoke had completely pulled itself out. Heading for Odenzaal's centre to find a cycle shop to buy a new wheel before closing time was tuff. I found one half five but they didn't have a wheel ready so I get sent to the other side of town as I reach ten to six. (Zwieep) A young nice chap takes a look on my bike and asks.

''When tomorrow can you pick it up?''

''Tomorrow? I need it tonight to find some where to sleep.'' I answer.

''That's not possible. I need to make the wheel first.''

''Don't you got one ready?''

He trodds away to have a look. I can see they all want to lock up and go home now. Ten minutes past six my new wheel is in place. Just to pay so I hand over my credit card as now obviously doesn't eather want to work. The staff really want to go now. I say

'' I can go to the cash point.''

They even let me take my bike as the cash point is 1 km away. As i cycle the weird noises appears again. Thinking it's just the wheel nut as need tightening I stop and do so. I reach the cash point get the money out but faffing around with the wheel I lost sense of direction and cycling the wrong way. Now the noises got really bad again. I think, ''no normal wheel will be able to take the weight of my magic and the chap must think I did a runner...''

Half six I manage to find Zwieep again, but it's locked up. I stick the money through the letterbox and lead my bike away to calmer area, takes all panniers off and turn the bike up side down to have a look, feeling a bit upset that this might be the end of my bike ride. All spokes where lose on the wheel, that's why. Out comes the pliers and I start to tense them up not knowing really how it supposed to be done. A woman passing and ask if I need a hand, She gets her husband as she says knows a bit about bikes. Out to my rescue comes Hammert Brinks, he has special tools for tensing just spokes. More neighbours start to surround my bike. Henk Urielink Knows even more about bikes and gets the thrills when he see what I'm doing. He says

'' No, no. Don't do it like that, you make the wheel to a shape of a egg''

Where he takes over and shows how it's supposed to be done. Later he give me what he say is a souvenir, high breed handle bars as the thriatlon sports men uses. They have served me well on some German long straight roads as i later swisch through.

Whiles these two men fixing my bike a lovely couple, Eric and Tanja asks me if I got some where to sleep for the night. I didn't since this happened so they offer me staying with them. They feed me and let me use there shower, we talk till late. So the context of this day is that I'm quite happy that my wheel broke just there so I got the chance to meet some nice locals. =)

I write more under this week about what happened since I now have access to computer every day, until I ride cycle to Oulo where some relatives of mine lives as I haven't seen for 20 years.

Before I go there I will perform at the Baltic Sea Festival here in Karlshamn and try to find some more places to perform to fond my next ride.

10/07/08
Deutsland

Entering Duitsland.

Here the Germans planted sloping trees along the road so high truckloads easier can pass.

Why are the udders so big on this cow? (Ivar knows the answere.)

Oldenzaal to Heede 1^st July

For miles the cycle path was decorated in this manner. Cyclists are quite respected in West Europe.

After eating breakfast with Eric and Tanja I aim for Germany. In Germany is still good cycle path, but the roads must be Roman as they are extremely long straight and quite boring. ( Maybe because I didn't have a map for the first bit and relied on not going on any detours.) The sun was also really strong this day, hovering in south, I didn't notice it burning my calves quite hard. On these road it was a pleasure to use my new high breed handle bars. The heat got me to drink all my water and camp sites wasn't as common as in Holland. I found one just before dusk in Heede.

Heed to the Canoeing Club in Sande (next to Wilhelmshaven) 2^nd July

Another hot day. My chocolate melted in my pannier bag. I still opened it and sucked it up, probably looking like something from American Pie. Still no Camp Sites around but in Sande I see to Ladies sitting outside a Canoeing Club. I pop over and ask if they let me put my little tent up. They discuss the matter in German and then says that it's fine. They show me around the facilities as they let me use. We communicating with a bit difficulty as they speak German and I speak English. The situation get us burst out laughing. I get a good night sleep after a shower and a couple of beers.

Sande – Helgoland (where it's forbidden to ride bikes.) - Busum.3^rd July

The Red Cliffs at Helgoland.

My knees are so soared these day and I decide to go for a boat ride again. I took the ferry to Helgoland. Here it's forbidden to ride a bike and I had to lock my bike in a storage, well on the island. To get from the ferry to the island, we had to take a smaller boat. Three men was needed to deal with my bike to get it over the boat edge as my bike was very heavy and awkward to carry. Well on the island, it was very touristy and some groups had there guides looking at flag posts and other things. I didn't feel for that, so I bought some more beers and a big toblerone in one of the many tax frees, then walking around exploring the cliffs on my own.

Get this bike aboard this boat needed three strong men.

Four hours later my bike and I climed on board the boat towards Busum. I didn't think that a boat journey could shake the nuts and bolts lose on a bike, but as I tried to gain some speed, bending over my handle bars, the bike choke and I was really close to slam in the floor this time. Since then I been checking my nuts and bolts more regularly.

In Busum I found a lovely camp with a nice bar. There was some nice people socialising this eve so I did some impromptu magic, just for fun, and got served free beer =) .

Busum to Scandinavia (Denmark, Bov) 4^th July

This day it was storming and raining. I sat in the breakfast place for ages until it calmed down a bit. It been raining the whole night before and my tent was leaking badly. ''Cheep crap!'' I thought. Then in the morning I realised I hadn't put the cover for the air vent on. My sleeping bag, wet for nothing. My gym shoes was also wet and stinky from last night so I had my nice leather shoes on as I are meant to only perform in.

Even if I now had a map in my bag I didn't want to take it out in this rain to get ruined immediately so I just made sure I could see the sea on my left. The wind pushed me side ways so it was heavy to hold the bike on that path. I decided ''to go with the wind'' as it blow north east I thought,.later on the weather got clearer and I pulled my map out and confirmed that the wind had earned me many miles. That's navigation skills I might got from my ancestors, the Viking's =).

As it was still cloudy I didn't need to stop and recover that much. This area of Germany had some lovely scenery to, a bit of forest, country roads and animals. I saw some cows as had enormous udders. The one as was biggest, I gave the call name ''Jordan''. Later on in Sweden where I met the farmer Ivar, I got to know why they are that big. That I write about when we reach that part of the adventure.

I pushed on through forest and gravel to and tried to reach Scandinavia before the sunset. I was peddaling like a mad man. Then, there was the border. Hurray. I could speak Swedish again!, But I got little of a chock, the Danish crown is very strong and my money wasn't worth much. I pithed the tent just outside Bov that night.

20/07/08
Denmark – Sweden

5^th July Denmark

I cycled with ease to Fynshav to take a boat to Denmark's Fyn, which I also past Quickly to take a boat over to Sjaelland. The only thing was that since there now are a bridge over there's no need for boats any more. This bridge happen to be a motor way so I could not cycle over. I spotted Circus Atlas as just did there build down but they was staying on Fyn for another two weeks so the train was the only option over.

Gittel, Jane and me

I met two lovely ladies (Gittel 50 and Jane 61) as cycled through Denmark so we joined up to get over the bridge.I camped one more night in Denmark before getting over the boarder. This part of Denmark seemed cheaper and here wasn't so many sex shops as it was next to the border ether.

6^th July Denmark – Sweden

Through Saelland... Just wanted home that day so nothing happened, except I had to take another train over the bridge between Kobenhavn (Denmark) and Malmö (Sweden). To find out of Malmö was quite hard work. So when I well was out I needed to find a place to pitch my tent again, but in Sweden you can do that in any forest for a couple off days, so long you treat the nature with respect.

The only thing as stopped me to do so was that this lower part of Sweden don't have any forest. I asked a couple of farmers as said ''No, here's just fields.'' But as I cycled on I found a little collection of trees next to a bigger pond

There I led my bike in between the high grass, I smelled fire and found to fishermen as also pithed up there tent. I joined them by the fire.

7^th July Home to Karlshamn.

I didn't have much drinking water left this morning, but next to Genarp is a farm as selling Strawberries. I hoped to get some water there, I got more than so. Ivar as own the farm came out with a walking stick in his hand and offered me a coffie and a sandwich. I made a milk top disappear and Ivar chuckled. He also informed me why the cow udders are so enormous these days. A milk cow today produce around 10000 litres milk a year. That double what it was 50 years ago and four doubled what it was 75 years ago!. That's quite a lot of milk a day those cows produce. That is quite mad I think. Later came Ivars home helpers and you can tell they enjoyed to visit Ivar and his wife as they both are very witty and humorous.

An incredibly charming horse!

continue cycle towards Karlshamn, when I get to Mörrum the rain drops start to come and I hear a thunder rumble behind me. I didn't care, just 10 km left to my mums front door from there. I pretend it's Tor (Thor) as welcome me home. I haven't been able to phone my mother to warn her about my arrival. So she be well surprised when she open the door and find a soaked Joakim.....

Now I cleaned the mud of the bike. Phoned around some camp sites in this area to do some shows so I can pay my next ride towards Oulo (Finland)

Here's what shows I will do so far whiles I'm around in Karlshamn

Hälleviks Camping 18:00 Tue 15^th July

Baltic Sea Festival (Kultur Kvarteret) 17^th Thurs and 18^th Fri July 14:00

Tedenborgs Camping 16:00 Mon 21 July

Jonas and I share a pizza.

It was great to perform in Karlshamn, a excellent way to met and see people and friends I haven't seen for years. I was in a back yard on a nice little stage. The festival staff treated me with drinks and cakes every day “ Yam, yam”. The Audience was interactive and lovely.

My friend Rickard and I have been trying to keep in descent shape under these days even if we where out in a couple of the beer tents.

My friend Rickard gives me a lesson in Boxing

I try to plan some kind of route to Oulo. Sweden is as long, as the ride between Bristol and Karlshamn. There's many places to see, I wonder if I get a chance to meet the Samie people (The Shamans of Scandinavia as lived here far before we walked over the ice from Europe.) I will sleep in the forests of Sweden and Finland. I guess this ride will take around a month or so but that's just a wild guess.

04/08/08
Towards Stockholm

Friday 25th July

I met up with my sister Cecilia and my friend Rickard at a cafe to study the map and have a bit of a chat before set of. We stayed by a shop to get some soap and fishing hooks to prepare for the ride though the Swedish forest. The short time we spent shopping whiles the Claud Butler bike stood in the sun was enough for the back tyre to heat up and explode. I changed to the spared inner tube as I bought in Bath. It's a Swedish heat wave as start the same day as I deside to set of. After leaving my Sister and Rickard I do a quick stop by Tage's Sport as I been visiting under the Baltic Sea Festival to upgrade some loose bits on the bike. Tage let me use his tools and sponsor me with bits as might be useful for the coming days.

Tage on left with a customer.

I went through the Classical Smålands Forest with some red wood houses and lots of berries (Blue berries, Lingon berrie, Rasp berries and more kinds as I don't know the name at.) That night got spendt by the lake Åsnen by Klaratorp. The water where very warm for bathing and washing some dirty socks.

Saturday 26th July

After attaching the wet socks under my bungies, I carry of again, going through Växjö for a cup of coffie and to fill up my water bottles. It's above 30 Celius, The wind is coming from North and it's not at all as flat here as it's in West Europe, so I'm not that fast any more, but fast enough to play a taking over competision with some German Teenage boys, ha ha. It just ment I got even slower the next day... Past Växjö are not that many shops around I noticed, as I surveyed the small villages.

I spended that Night in Kråketorp by a small lake where I found a old tree root to put fire at. In the middle of the night I got woken up by some sqreeking animal of some kind, so my sleep wasn't that great that night.

It hasn't been a shop in Pinefors since 1890. 30th November 2001. 6:00 pm this tradition got stopped and the shop got closed.

Sunday 27th July

So, next day I was really in the like to find a coffie shop, but it's just not big enough villages around to even have a corner shop. But suddenly I feel a spark as I see shop ahead, just to discover it's an illusion, an oas. The shop havn't been open for many years.

I cycling on, through the heat wave and stay by a small lake where four charming ladies having a swim. They live in the next house and offer me a coffie and a good time ( a conversation).

I push on to Nässjö to get some shopping done, because berries are not that filling. My Back wheel have started to grind and squirl again, so I'm forced to stop in the pine forest where it's warning for Elg. I straighten up the wheel as I got tought in Holland, make up a fire etc.

Per Brahe the young's castle, where he used to chase wolf and bears. He also had big influence on Finland where I'm going soon.

Monday 28th July Noen

Another hot day, Towards the evening I got to Per Brahe the young's Hunting castle by the lake Noen. I had to leed my bike trough bramble and thorn to begin with, as I went on, there was fallen trees, so the only way was over some rocky hills to get around. Further on where muddy trenches and i had to a balancing act with the bike over some boards. Well after 1,7 km of various terrain I reached the ruin high on a hill, with a great view over the lake. I pitched up in what once upon the time was the garden.

Tuesday 29th July

In the morning after getting through the terrain back to cycle track. I sat down to tense some nuts as gfot lose in the process. Then I saw a male Crown deer chasing another one. Wow. I like a picture, but as I slowly moved towards my bag a metre away, I got noticed and the Crown deer looked at me, hesitated a bit, then desided to run and alarm the forest with a high sqreek. ''Aha, so it was that kind of animal as woken me some nights before, bastards''

I passed Göta Canal as are linked with the lake Roxen. After a bath next to a Camp site, a man with name Jörgen invited me over for supper as he saw I didn't have great fascilities to cook. He and his family had prepared a meal as tasted superb followed up with wine and desert. It was nice to spend some time in good company after being alone in the forest with Horse flies, nettles and ticks.

From left Me, Jörgen, Lotta, Uffe the dog and Olle

Wednesday 30th July

I Cycled the whole way to Stockholm ( Sundbyberg). To visit my great friend David and his girlfriend Foffo. David is the cause why I visit England to begin with, That's a long story and doesn't fit in the space of this little blog....

Thursday 31th July, Friday 1st August

Swiming, Minigolfing and partying With David, Fofo and there friends.

Saturday 2nd Augusti

It was pissing rain. David showing me the way out of Stockholm whiles giving me some good Ideas about... just everything really. This guy just keep producing them. And know...I will try to put some of them to reallity .

I'm now with some friend from my childhood, Stefan & Niklas on Väddö. Here I will spend some days to plan the rest of the trip and clean up customes, fix the gears and order some stuff as magicians needs.

Yesterday, Sunday the 3rd August I got opportunity to perform on a Farm party next door as My friends showed me over there =)

David and me in Stockholm.

10/08/08
Stramonium.

Stefan, Niklas and I spended lots of time togther for 13 years ago, we had a performing group together as we named Stramonium., Stefan and Niklas have kept Stramonium alive. Coming to there home here on Väddö have been rather nice. They have created there own paradise on the island, a relaxed farm with a red house, and in this red house they have there own music studio where they create there songs and lyrics.

It have been great to spend some time together again, and it would be easy to stay here for a few more weeks, but tomorrow I have to continue my ride. Stefan have been trying his own vegetarian receipts on us, which would fit well in a high class restaurant. Niklas and I have been sent to the shop to get fitting groceries.

I got lots of time to relax here and modifing my bike. It now has a dynamo as run different electrical devices as will all add to the show. Everytime i stay with friends, they add some ideas as push the magic forward.

Here is Stefan with his girlfriend Lisa and Niklas. The small sheeps are "bottle lambs" as follow there carers through the field until a gate stops them to get further.

The semester season seem to got to a end here in Scandinavia' so doing Magic on the Camp sites is not any more a option. This means that from tomorrow I got to find other places to do the show to sponsor my adventure. It's still a long way to Oulo and the towns will be further apart from here onwards, but I just love cycling forth and .....

26/08/08
Terve

Hello again!

It's a while since I wrote now. I been sleeping ruff by lakes, The Sea and in the deep forest's of trolls.

That's actually true about the trolls, I past many places with that name in it, like Trollskogen, Trollharen and Trollstugan, as I even visit.

It been raining a few weeks here in Scandinavia now. The insects have become bigger, like the mysquitos. The landscape became more hilly as well as you can see at this pic from Höga kusten (The High Landline).

26/08/08
Jon Anton's knifes

This is from when I visited Jon Anton next to Romney.

30/08/08
Tour Finland

About the Show.

To read about my tour in Finnish, follow the link here.

http://epaper.suomenmaa.fi/olepaper/3459654.htm

07/09/08
On the roll again

Right, tomorrow I'm off again.
Towards Orivesi. I'm cheeting the first bit with train as I might have a show all readdy on Tuesday and then I need to cycle North again before cycle South, mmh.... Anyway, it has been good to have a break and time to organize some stuff. It always feels like I could organize more but I have no patience to stay longer than this in one go. So... Roolling Roolling Roolling!

12/09/080
Orivesi.

Hi!

I'm in Orivesi. Staying with a lady, Liisa. As she showed me around in her house a old bike cought my eyes, as my bike isn't in a good state any more I started to look out for some thing more sutible. This one didn't have any gears though, so I started a new project. To take the gears frome the Claude Butler to the Finnish Tunturi bike. Above you see how I started to remove the center piece from one wheel to replace with the other. This took me ages and for the moment I dont have a bike at all, so please hold your thumbs that this will work out other wise "Is it wheely magic?" might be in some truble. I'm in good mood about it anyway and think that this new bike gonna be a super duper bike =) ....hope...

Liisa have shown me fantastic places here as I might show pictures of another day. I dont want to sit here to long, as I need to get wheels again.

I did a show in Oriveden Kansanopisto as went good. It was a nice audience, this school have a good reputation and many as been there have become famous. (and now I been there soo =) ....)
They have Theatre, Music, Arts and much more courses there. need to stop....

15/09/08
Hurra!!!

Hurra!

I have wheels again, fat well pumped wheels! On a Finnish bike =)

It been great so far to be in Finland. It been great to see some relatives and discover some memories from when I was eight. Like the day one of my ten cousins, Matti drove past my Grannys house, where she used to live, I could picture the inside exactly in my head. All the time I stayed in Oulu I parasited my Aunt Anja and her husband Esko, but they said they didn't mind. I met Relatives from Newborns til Thomb-stones. It's ,lots to catch up atfer 20 years. =) Thet also made sure I got away to Orivesi in time. Here bellow I'm standing with Esko, Cheeting with the train....

16/09/08
Lahti

Okey. I now I know. I going to Lahti. Start early tomorrow. I just bought some glows to be able to handle the cold, some more carrots for the show and some water prof spray for my bags.
Everything is organised at least for a couple of days ahead =) Thats more than normal . haha

24/09/08
Praising my Tunturi bike

I been cycling a while again. After leaving Orivesi I took my new designed bike on a 160 km long test run the whole way to Lathi and Lahden Kansanopisto. I got there just before half eight, just before the Reception closes, so I managed to get a key and a room for the night. I rode with out having to long breaks and as I haven't been cycle for a while my legs and knees fgot to feel it. A couple of times I had problem to swing my leg over thet Magic box of mine, so I just ended up standing there... I'm really glad for the whool hat as Liisa gave me, I been whearing it cycling as well as sleeping, it's getting much colder here in Finland now and the leaves has started to fall.

After the show and a big dinner at the Kansanopisto I cycled to sleep a few nights in the forests again. Up and down the hills, passing many beutiful lakes, etc. I now understand why tourers dont have old fashond big wide sadles, cause I found to bleeding soars on the back of my thighs a couple of days ago, that's what the friction had caused.

Here is a picture for old car fantasts.

It's fantastic to be cycling again, to meet the people as great me when I coming forward on my bike, to see the beutiful enviroment and to feel a live.

Crossing one of Finlands many lakes.

A finnish designed letter box.

I was in big need of a coffie and ...

I'm now in Kylänlathi at Lieksan Kansanopisto. We had a performance yesterday and Helena (headteacher) letting me stay here a while longer to wash cloths, eat and recover. We where down the lake yesterday eve to fry pancakes and sausages over the open fire. The pancakes was fried in special long handled fryingpans. It's some thing I just experienced in Finland, frying pancakes over the fire. When we had breakfast this morning Helena asked me where I'm going next and as I didn't really have a answere on that question, she rang around a few places and acting now as my Agent =) Tomorrow I will know answers....Perhaps.

Oh well. I have wheels and can roll anywhere I like. These wheels are much sturdier than the Claud Butler bikes, so no need to tence the spokes every day, actually not a single day yet so far. So this chapter is a greating to my newish bicycle =)

28/09/08
And now I know and...

Another breakfast at the Kansanopisto in Kylänlahti, when Helena arriving with good news. She has her mobil-phone to her ear and nodding to me. I understand she's in a discussion about a show. An hour later I sitting in a car on way to Lieksa, to check out the City and where things will happen tomorrow. I get to practise my finnish in the car. Well, I actually got my own translator with me. She's from Romania and seem to speak several languages flewently. Yesterday a man did some welding for me to my bicycle stand. Here is many different Nationalies on staff and students and it is easy to come along. It's one guy here from England to and even he speak both Swedish, Finnish and Russian.

29/09/08
A plan is taking shape

I'm still in Kylänlahti, I stayed in Finland longer than I thought, but I'm glad I did. I followed Helena to Lieksa today to meet an other Rector. On Wendesday I got three shows in the schools he works for. That's good as I need to take the train to Helsinki and then boat to Germany. I was woundering if I would have enough cash to hover around in Germany, but feel calm about that now =)

Tomorrow I gonna plan my "session", as I will work from a desc in an Auditorium, kind of speak about that almost anything is possible ( Like a motivation talk or similar), Then do my Magic Show. I'm quite exited about that as the enviroment and how people are seated give different possibilities.

A sign I past near Nurmes before reaching Kylänlahti, This is Finnish Karelia.

I crossed many bridges in Finland as here's lots of water. This bridge is over the lake next to the Lieksan Kansanopisto, where I stay. These bridges has kind of become symbolic on my Tour through Europe.

Oh, I almost forgot about the plan. Well when I plan something, it always seem to change in some way so I try avoid to write anything in stone, but my idea is....

...To take the train on Thursday morning to Helsinki as my tent is a bit thin for the Finnish Autum, and there take a ferry the same day towards Germany. I should reach Germany the next day on Friday, then it's time to look around for new places to perform at and spend the Nights. I'm heading for Spain, passing Sweitz and France?

30/09/08
Where I been Cycling

The thick line between Vaasa and Oulu was still done with the Claud Butler.

From Oulu to Orivesi by Train

Between Juupajoki and Kylänlahti on my green Tubturi bike

On Thursday Train again from Lieksa to Helsinki.

A page from my new diary.

The X-es shows where I been sleeping. Except Oulu, Juupajoki, Lahti and Kylänlahti, where I spent time with nice people, I been tenting in the forest.

05/10/08
Something new

I am in Rostock now. I trying out Hospitallity club for the first time as I am a bit tiered of tenting for the moment. I got contact with a guy named Roman. He picked me up in his van and drove me to his place where I got to see his girlfriend and friends with a great dinner on the table. It is raining and blowing here, so its nice to not sleep outdoors. Well, I think I like this hospitallityclub so I gonna surf for somewhere to cycle next =)

10/10/08
Karelia to Göttingen

ere bellow is a picture from the Kansanopisto a day before I take the train to Helsinki. Its people from many countries as breaking up the Ramadan, and we others where invited. It was a very nice happening and the food was constantly past around between us.

After taking the 26 hours long Ferry ride from Helsinki to Rostock, I got picked up by Roman as standing here next to his paper making mashine. It was dark when I arrived to the harbour so it was great to jump in his van and be taken to his fine place with delisious food and great company. I like to visit them again if the possibility come. There was people from Berlin and I got to learn a bit about this History about the break down of the wall and how they experienced it. It is really nice to get a new perspective on this and learn what going on from real people.

I tented on my way down to Göttingen where I am know. It is so much warmer her compared with Finland. The first campsite a nice man gave me Vodka to keep warm =)

The second day I just cycled as far as possible with out knowing where to go . It got dark and some one come up with a other bike along mine . We fell in chat and the next night I spent in this police mans garage...

Yesterday my front axel snapped. ( uphill) I thought I wouldnt get to göttingen in time, but the roads got better after some hills and here I am in a collective with some very nice people. I stay here a few days? I think. Before going further. Also here lives many different nationallyties. We have some talkes and I learn even more about Germany. I really like this place. Soon its time to explore Göttingen and sort some of my ruff treated stuff out.

It so is nice to be able to roll up with the bike and experience the these places even if my legs have to work for it....

20/10/08
Göttingen

A renovation accuring in the alternativ community place. Chiristoffer will move in this house with his family when its readdy. Here above is Christoffer and me trying out some acrobatics in a sloping feld.

Christoffers baby is carrieed here by Maja our common friend. She took me with her to this marvellous place. Thank you, Maja.

The handsome guy to the right is Lars. He just gonna start his traveling around as a Carpenter, that is a proud tradition here in Germany, so then you have to be handsome. He got speciall cloths for his pofession to look his part (The smarterst thing is his jacket as he left at home for this muddy walk). I am a bit envy to that, I want to look that smart to. Maybe I start a speciall magician tradition. I start now with writing down all the haves and musts as is needed for travelling Magicians. I will find some old Masters out there somewhere and collect there experiences in the bible of Magic =) And then, Maybe on day I become a Master myself...

I thought I would stay here in Göttingen one day or possible two. Oh well, It have turned out to be a bit longer and seem to still be a few days more... What can I say, It is really nice here. I follow them to different places as alternativ communities in the forest, parties and apple picking for example. Well, well , well I dont have any need to rush and I have some magic to perform in the week so....

27/10/08

The 6th November, I will perform in Gromo for a second time. It is a cousie cafe/bar in Göttingen. So now I be here at least one and a half week longer =)

11/11/08
Stay or go?

I'm still Here in Göttingen. My cycle adventure seem to have stopped up momentarly...
I get some magic jobs here now and then. Göttingen have become what I hoped Spain whould be when I get there.

I almost become a resident here...( scary and confusing as well as really comfortible and cousie.)
I will know when the time come. No need to have the answeres before it happens. It would not be an adventure then, would it?

01/02/09
Organizing!?

I when't to England for a couple of weeks this Januari to sort things out, such as taxes. Best of all was to see my old mates. I did a pub show in Barton hill area. Luckely Nick had his Camera with him. Here is a couple of his pics. My own camera broke down when it swam around in my pannierbag with some magic squash last December.

I travelled with a organised lifting society as the Germans have sorted out on Internet. It is called ''mitfahrgelegenheit''. It just to go in there and search around for a driver as might go the same way. I managed to get a lift from Köln the whole way to Bristol for just 50 EUR. Finding a lift back wasn't so easy, so then I had to take buses wich costed lots more and took quite a while longer.

I collecting some carrots before showtime. (It's my hand, my face is in the pub mirror)

Now I am back in Göttingen again. I had a show in Bruther-Grimm-Schule last Thursday. A nice enusiastic audience of fourhoundred youngsters and perfect local for Magic. I been living on that feeling since.

I found a bike-club. ''ADFC'' It is a big organication over whole Germany. There is a workshop down the road from here as is open every Thursday 17:30 - 20.00. They have lots of secondhand parts and a few enusiasts as show how to get it right. There can anyone go and fix the bike up for self cost prices. I got my front fork fixed and next week I gonna sort the bike a bit more so it can handle the journey to Spain this spring.

06/02/09
Flying Magician....

It is a dark night. I just been down the ADFC and got help to sort my bike out. It will take me 10 min to cycle back home. My light is beaming over the cycelpath. A few meter ahead is a car coming out from a drive. I didn't realice it would come out on the path and the driver dont notice me eather.

I break to late and my last thought before I cycle into the car is ''shit, my front-wheel will bend,'' I land on the bonniet and give the Female driver a right suprice. She comes out and are very appolliacing. My ruff bike gave her shiny car many scratches. My handelbars where twizted, but where easy to twizt back again and the wheel where not bend at all.

We stand there a while and try to find out if we both are ok, and exchange phonenumbers with each other in case we figure something out later. That was my first accident with bike since I was six years old. I think I gonna look out a bit more in the future when I pedalling along. Just so I not be quicker than the car......

14/02/09
Diving Magician

I where over in the Wuppertal yesterday and sold some dura stilts to a friend, I got more for them then I could ask. So I went to buy a new camera today so I can upload some more pictures to this blog. I found a pink cheap camera with 8 megapixels.

When I should pay and felt my pockets, I realised my wallet was gone. All my money, Driving Licence, but most of all my Buddha amullett as I got from a dear friend in Bristol. It should give help in needy situations like this one. (ironicly enough).

Soo.....

19/02/09
The return off Buddha

Buddha have returned and he had money with him =)

I was cycling towards Cafe Kreuzberg to hand over a couple of posters for a show. Just as I past MediaMarket rang the phone. I dug in my pocket, but reached it to late. The phone rang again and a woman said they found my wallet. I immediatly popped through the doors to the staffs suprise.

They handed me my wallet. In it was everything Buddha, cards and all the money was still there. That was a relief because just two hours before had I been to the blood bank for donating some blood to be able to pay food for the week. They even refused me to give them a reward.

20/02/09
In the laboratory

I can take pictures again. Thanks to my friend Marcel as gave me a camera.

I went to engineer Axels lab as I wished to have beaming lights and be able to charge batteries as I cycle around. He took some readings of my dynamo in action, did a couple of calculation to get the right components. Those components are now attached to my bike. So now theres no fear to run out of battery power to cameras, razers or other things as a Magician need on a bike ride.

Here is Axel, having a bit of a think before trading in to action

03/03/09
On Saturday am I going to Sweden for a week to visit my home town. A german couple as I made friends with are driving there and taking me with them.

West Göttingen looks like this, the east is more hilly.

08/03/09
Sweden

There is no problem to get across the borders to Sweden, but trying to pay the local train with Euros is in principle impossible.

The female conductor proberbly woundered if I took the mickey by her face to judge. Anyway, she didn't throw me out before Kristianstad (Kristianstad is the end station for that train. so you can say I got a free ride. Bless the conductur) There was an Exchange open , Luckely....

In some cases is EU not so united. England for example.....

The long bridge between Denmark and Sweden

It went really fast to cross the bridge in a car......

19/03/09
Set off

Tour the Reihn

Spring is here and it is time to brake the hibernation as I spent here in Göttingen. Just after Easter am I heading to Spain.

So I will make a few more shows here to get some founding for my ride. Then will I cycle by the reihn and find my way down to Valencia.

Some new spring Magic

I have been brainstorming and trying out some new fresh Magical effects this Winter, as I will perform here in Göttingen over Easter. I will not say to much about them still as I would like to suprise you

The one day as turned into a winter lair of five months

When I found this place in "Hospitality club" was I ment to stay one day only, but the people as live here and I came along so well that they let me hibernate here for a while. It been so good, I love it here.

19/04/09
Out and about

The Day before setting of, So many things had been collected over the winter.

After this table was cleaned, did we have little of a party with all lovely collactive members as let me stay with them the whole winter ( 6 months)

On the bike, is more packing. It is good that I have ridden Uni cycle bfore because this is really a balancing act with all that top heaviness.

This pic is for my Darling. See you in Spain. =)

After Kassel was a hill and my legs was so pumped up then. There was a horse place and a sign saying "Save Tibet" And "Welcome" So I walked in there . A lady sat there with a group of children. She said "Where Buddha is, There can you rest. One of the children took me to a fire place in the Garden where a big Buddha staty sat. I took up my picknick and had a rest in front of him =)

I love cykling by the Rivers. Here is Fulde. I had a quick bath. I cold down my soored bum.

Second night was very rainy. But there was a ire shed to get shelter for a while. I ended up to slep there on a table. It was rather comfortible.

Towards Frankfurt is the Vulkan Rad Weg. A old couple recomended me this route. all readdy in Kassel they in principle described the whole way to Mains. Where I'm now. Here are another friend of Göttingen putting me up for a couple of nights =)

From here will I follow Rhein down to France. as Rhein is just around the corner . =)

20/04/09
Magic by the Rein

Yesterday, Was I trying out some street Magic by the River. This is pretty much how I will be able to pay for my journey now, so I start to practice little every day now.

I look forward to go beside this River, tomorrow will I set off again.

01/05/09
Lyon

I tried to take a short cut over a dith some where on way to Freiburgh , not a good thing to do , luckely it was just to bend the gear back and it workt fine again, I over estimated my bikes abilaties :)
I kept seeing hills on both sides on the way down, but lukely avoiding them mostly

In Freiburgh they have ekological bike taxies , I stayed a couple of nights by the black forest , in the garden of a friend of a friend =)

Some things I wounder sometimes if they are worth carry?

I got to France on Saturday, On Sunday where ofcourse no shops open, but a nice man gave me a bottle of water,

This got had escaped his fences and liked to join my breakfast, Frienly like a dog

On way down I thought it would be a brilliant idea to wade the bike over to sleep on this island

Here I took my sleepingbag out and fell asleep . At 3:3o in morning the water rised, I didnt relise rivers have tides.... I woke a bit wet and some of my things had started to swim around in the river. It was tuffer to wade a shore again in the darkness, slippy , and this time the water touched my pannier bags, after a long struggle any way every thing was on land again,

Some of the cliffs by la saone

As I dont speak French , I got so happy when a german speaking cou^ple invited me for coffie and supplied me wit some better maps over France and Spain, This is what make it worth cycling , meting people like this :)

Like that guy , that is how it feels like cycling with a magic box on some roads, French signs are very expressive...

Finally I reached Lyon, I hadnt been able to do any performances on street before in France because of rain, I had allmost no money, and little food, entering , the first people I met refused speaking english, Anyway some one else did and showed the way to the biggest square in Europe I was told,

This is how it looked when I arrived iin the Evening; Just started to get dark, I took some magic stuff out and started to confront people, hoping they would be friendly,. They where really friendly and we had a nice time together , the people I met , generous as well, so now I think I will be able to eat properly the whole way to Valenia :)

Later it started to be a bit ruffer , so I packed my things together and where on way out of Lyon, That was not so easy as barriers of diffrent resons where little every where, but finally I found a way, Lots of prostituated women was on this road. a big group , about 20 of them was shouting and having a rowl. As I not understanding the language very well , it felt very strange, I cycled past and hoped I woulnt cycle in to even ruffer quaters.

Now veery tierd somewhere between big motorways, hungry woundering where south where, I met Matthew. He was on way home and offered me a night in his place. So nice, I thought I would have to sleep ruff in a bush or something, instead I got led to a big lovely old house, with deliscious food on the table as one of his house mates work with Catering.Salmon, Cheeses, Desserts, Everything you can think of was on the table. I am here now. Clean and fed. Here lives Four guys, I met three so far, all very nice.

When it is wet and rainy on a big trafficated road , then I ask my self if it is worth it. But When metings with people like this happens, then the answere is easy. Yes , it is definatly worth it.

07/05/09
Lyon til near Barcelona

Hear is the guys I stayed with in Lyon. Two nights, Marvellous food put the energiy back in to my legs.

I like it in Lyon.

Next day The wind layed from North and it was down hill quite far. So I got half way to Montpellier.

Next day to was I sailing My box catch the wind nicely. The streets of Montpellier.

Centre

I wanted to sleep by the beach but didntnt really reach it that night . so I slept near the big road on this bench.

But in the morning could I wasch my soared ars in the sea =)

This pic jumped wrong is ment to be with the montpiliers ones

I thougt next night I could sleep in here but it was really grose inside with diffrent porn glued on the walls. so I looked for some thing better.

Thats better.

A bit of the flora arouns. can smell timjan to

And the next day could I see this.

Had to cycle on the national road mainly though.

coast toward the high coust

up the hills and then down again to a village.

evening is coming

But I reached Spain that night highest up did I shelter in this bunker. Really wiindy up here. Didnt get much sleep. and it sounded like helikopters was in the air all the time at least in the cave. but stepping outside was nothing to be heard

What is that whole in the back of the cave? Stooring food in or maybe ancestors....

Poesy

after a few hills up and down. was there plessent tunnels and bridges, look at rigt and you see a bridge and where the road continues...

Now am I near Barcelona by the coast. taking it a bit easy. maybe siesta soon. cycle when it it really hot is not plessent. I will buy more water. I got a burned nose. I am greatful to the Mans Healing creams I got for christmas. They are needed here.

I guess next time I write I will have reached Valencia. But who knows . the wind is facing me now....

The fruit is cheep .

11/05/09
To Valencia

Restday- From the pyrenes took on day to get near the see. Again was it a few miles left when the dark cought me up. Night one wasn´t that comfortible.

Night two- over one the cliffs natural shelfs over there. I whent in to Barcelona to try out some magic leaned up my big bike on a woodensign as collapsed. I thought it is better to go to Valencia quick and sort this things out.
I cycled past another beutyful beach where I got standiing , watching the entchaning tai chi movement from the man in the back
Slept there a third night.

The fourth night was I not up to spend on more National roads as led to motorways suddenly without warning. So when this truck come up in front of me in a laybay. And a nice polnish chap came out did I ask hime for a lift for the remaining 230 km as was left. A couple of hours journey I thought.

But regulations make that, truck drivers can just drive certan distanse in a week and 80 km ahead pulled we up to a laybay with a beach. There was four more polnish drivers . We spent 38 hours to gether . They cooked lots of nice food giving me plenty to drink . And we had a great time on the beach. Im really glad I asked for a lift. to expearience something like this. two night did I sleep in the back of that truck.

Now have I reached my friends Place in Valencia . Time to explore her a bit...

13/05/09
Day two in Valencia

Yesterday- did I go to a few pubs to ask if they like to have some magic shows. That was easier than I thought . Really need to practic some spanish. to be able to say a few things for the shows.

Friday evening will I perform In ''La Mamma'' 10:30 - 11:30.

23/05/09
A few days in Valencia

No pictures. this time. sorry.

So nice to relax and sort out the packing, Cook in a kichen, washing clothes, try to find in city and around. (Valencia is really easy to get lost in)

I stay with my friend Lomi on second floor. A second from here is the fruit and veggie shop. 3kg Oranges for 1 Euro. In the local shop do you get 1 l beer for 62 cent.

Centre is 10-20 min walk from here. depending on if you like to go to the old centre or the new. The beach is a nice bike ride away.

La Mama have becom my regular performing restaurant. The nice staff have become my friends =) . I go there for the fourth time tonight.

Well, now will I go downstairs and buy my breakfast. My body screaming constantly after food, even if I´m not cycling so much just now. =)

19/06/09
Anniverseri, Jubileum

Buenas.

20 June last year was the date when I gave up my flat in Bristol and started to pedaling thrue Europe.So, today will "Is it wheely magic?" have one years aniversery. I will celebrate tonight by going to "una Fiesta". as my living host Lomi and his mates keeping in Alboraia tonight.

I will leave my bike for a couple of months and travel along in trains with my girlfiend as came down from Germany last Saturday. (It is to hot to cycle in Spain at this moment, anyway).

On Sunday 22:30 Is the last show in Radio City here in Valencia before taking the train on Monday towards Alicante, Where is an Festival to see. So, I guess today wil I repack my bags to get with , Tent, cloths and Magic.

Hasta Luego

Is it Wheely Magic

sideshow

The Beginning