Day 16 & 17 – The Long Ride Home
The final leg of our epic 17-day adventure began bright and early on Sunday morning. Tents down, bikes packed, and coffee quickly consumed — our destination was Germany, back to the very same campsite where this journey had begun.
We clocked 559 km in 8 hours 33 minutes, sticking to the scenic route as always and avoiding motorways. The ride took us across two ferries:
- The first was a small free ferry from Breihole to Kanalfahre across the Kiel Canal — a 98-kilometre-long freshwater canal linking the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
- The second carried us across the Elbe River between Wischhafen & Glückstadt.
From there, it was only 10 km to our campsite. In true fashion, we rolled in after reception had closed — consistency is key! Luckily, we’d bought supplies the day before, so tents were quickly pitched, dinner cooked, and a few beers cracked open as we reflected on what had been an unforgettable ride.
The following morning, our last day on the road, we made a dash to the Hook of Holland for the ferry home — 514 km in 8 hours 41 minutes. Crossing into the Netherlands, we stopped at the border for the obligatory photo op (you’ve got to mark these moments!).
Despite its reputation for being flat, Holland treated us to great roads and endless waterways — surprisingly scenic and a real pleasure to ride. Our last fuel stop in Baarn stung a bit at €1.90 per litre — the highest price of the trip. But spirits were high as we reached the ferry terminal just as the sun was setting.
Bikes strapped down, cabin found, and after a quick freshen up we rewarded ourselves with a well-earned curry and a beer in the ship’s restaurant. Thankfully, the clocks went back an hour overnight, making the 05:30 tannoy wake-up call to “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” just about bearable (well, almost).
Before we knew it, we were off the ferry, rolling onto British roads again — homeward bound.
Final Thoughts
What an incredible 17 days, 8,590 km (5,339 miles), 7 countries, crossing into the Arctic Circle and all the way up to Nordkapp — the northernmost point of Europe, just 1,306 miles from the North Pole. And yes — if we could have pushed on, we would have!
This journey wasn’t just about the distance. It was about adventure, friendship, stunning roads, and the thrill of the ride. The memories will last a lifetime — until the next one!
The world on two wheels – Departing July 2026
In July 2026, Steve & Duncan aka The Happy Bikers are setting off on a trip of a lifetime. We are riding around the world. We would love you to follow our journey. The Happy Bikers Global Adventure will be shared on our socials.
Tags: #MotorbikeTour #EuropeByBike #TheHappyBikers #FinalDays #Adventure #Nordkapp2025