Hey, I am Erik from Austria.
I am 22 years old and currently volunteering at Tools for Self Reliance through the Erasmus+ European Voluntary Service programme. My work mainly consists of tool refurbishment, general maintenance of the workshop and making timber boxes for the tool-kits we later send to Africa. Apart from the staff I work together with our volunteers who are mainly retired guys which is great fun and a nice cultural exchange. Unfortunately my stay in England ends on the 1^st of September, but I want to contribute more than just my working time for the charity which is why I do this adventure I will now tell you about.

It all started in January when we received an unusual donation in the form of a bike - something we don't send to vocational training projects in Africa. I decided to buy it in order to use it for my time in England. When I bought it, our workshop manager said out of a joke “Why are you not riding back home to Austria?" I answered “Yeah why not”. A few months later while I shared my plans during tea break, one of our volunteers pledged 1p each mile I go. One thing led to another and with the support of my charity this is going to be an amazing project which makes me happy and hopefully raises a lot of money for our projects and partners in Africa.

The journey starts in Netley Marsh and ends in my hometown Linz. In order to save money I bought all the camping gear like a tent, camping cooker, sleeping bag, puncture repair-kit etc. to be more independent. The route is just over 1000 miles and will take 4 to 5 weeks - depending on my fitness. First I will cycle to Dover to take the ferry to Calais. From Calais I am heading to Belgium passing Gent, Brussels and then further down to Köln in Germany to continue riding down the Rhine until I reach Karlsruhe. From Karlsruhe I am heading east through Stuttgart until I reach Ingoldstadt where I cycle along the Danube till I reach my beloved Linz.