29.05.2018, Copenhagen, Denmark

Cheeriø!

There’s no time to thoroughly recover from the P&C barbecue; in the morning, I head north on my BMW. Passing lakes and pine forests, it already feels like summer everywhere, but sunbathing is out of the question as I have to catch a ferry in Rostock at 1pm.

I’m already familiar with the R NineT model. Last year, I had the opportunity to ride a racer in the mountains for a couple of days. Riding the Pure model is a different story. My position is more relaxed, and there are plains galore ahead of me. It takes a while to get used to the boxer’s quirks, but very soon I realise: each further kilometre, the bike and I forge a stronger bond.

As soon as the ferry’s gates opens in Gedser, I have the holiday feels. I immediately head to Dead Cat Motorcycles, a community garage in Copenhagen, where they welcome me with open arms. Andreas, one of the founders, shows me around the workshop which is plastered with old motorcycle posters. 20 people work and support each others projects here. The next day, they want to head to Sweden, and they try to persuade me to come along. However, I already know where I’m going to be on Saturday: I have the opportunity to pass by the Wrenchmonkees who have been making a name for themselves in the custom scene for the past ten years. Per and Nicholas are super nice. We chat in their workshop until there’s no more coffee, and I have to leave yet again. I quickly treat myself to the best tagliatelle carbonara in town, and I’m good to go, in the opposite direction this time, heading home.

Of course, I knew what would happen, but then it’s over in a flash. Martien, rider number two, passes by the CRAFTRAD office, and I, just like in a relay race, hand him the ignition key. It’s a strange feeling. Even though, I only spent three days with the bike, we struggled against highways, windy roads in Zealand and cobblestones in Copenhagen. Several more tours lie ahead of the BMW, though. Our trip to Denmark was only the beginning. So long, my friend, and bon voyage!

Photo: © Alexander Babic