Weinberg on a cycle tour across Europe - starting in the north

Former professional cyclist Markus Weinberg has set off on his cycle tour through Europe in the far north and has covered the first 60 kilometers. The response to the "European Connection Trail" has been great and he also met German tourists at the start in the Norwegian-Russian border town of Grense Jakobselv, the 41-year-old told the German Press Agency. After a short swim in the cold Barents Sea, he set off and cycled the first stage to Kirkenes.

Around 7,800 kilometers on Europe's roads

Weinberg said that he wanted to promote European unity with his 7,800-kilometer tour to Cabo de São Vicente in Portugal. "We should focus more on the European idea of community and not allow ourselves to be divided," emphasized the athlete, who has worked as a journalist and documentary filmmaker since the end of his professional career. He also wants to motivate people to travel to the continent themselves.

Sports enthusiasts can accompany Weinberg

Weinberg has planned the first four stages as a kind of warm-up run. He only wants to complete around 60 kilometers. From the 5th stage onwards, it's down to business, then he has to complete an average of 165 kilometers a day. Weinberg is looking forward to having sports enthusiasts join him on a 10, 50 or even 100-kilometer day trip. He has two "milestones" firmly in his sights. Following an invitation to the European Parliament, he also wants to make a stop in Strasbourg. Another stop is planned at the European Mountain Bike Congress in Boltaña, Spain, in mid-September.

Tour through 14 European countries

To reach his destination in southern Europe, Weinberg wants to cross 14 countries and cover 80,000 meters of altitude in the process. He wants to avoid tourist hotspots and prefer to travel on less frequented roads. The idea for the tour came to him three years ago when he rode a gravel bike and tent through the remote nature of Canada and across the USA to Mexico. In 2019, British cyclist Andy Cox coined a "European Divide Trail" through nine countries. Instead of "Divide", Weinberg deliberately opted for "Connection".