Cycling on Funen – Out on the road with Andrea and Maks – Day 1 

Since 2022, we at Cycling Destination have fallen in love with Denmark. Not only because of the wonderful trip Which we were allowed to do because of the Grand Depart. Also our first introduction to the Herregårds Route on Funen was beautiful. Now we are back. Maks Groeneveld and Andrea Lodder have been on the road for us and in this three-part story they cycle on Funen a large part of the manor house route, as it is called in good Dutch. And that yields beautiful stories and pictures. Are you following along with this three-day report?

Sometimes you have sunshine, sometimes you have rain

Through the curtains, the Danish morning sun reveals that we are in luck. On our first day of cycling the island Fyn The sun is shining. Unlike yesterday, the large yellow orb shines in the clear blue sky. Before we get on our bikes, we first stop for a hearty Danish breakfast. After eating and full of good spirits, we get in and drive through characteristic Danish streets towards the north. The first thing that immediately catches the eye are the typical Scandinavian houses. Blue facades alternate with bright yellow and ochre-colored farmhouses. It is clear that the Danes are proud of their country; on every corner of the street you can see a red flag with a white cross waving.

Cycling on funen = enjoying

From the busy streets of Odense, we ride along a narrow bike path by the water. Soon we hear a crunching sound coming from our narrow tires. Gravel. A pleasant surprise, at least… for us. Along the water, some men are fishing, and further on, some ducks are floating. Further on, we encounter very few people in the first few kilometers, which is wonderful! Until we are faced with the dreaded first flat tire. This was of course to be expected, but fortunately we (for a change) went on the road well prepared. So, new inner tube in and off we go. Very secretly with clenched buttocks, because the first village is only about ten kilometers away. 

Sea view

With the sea in front of us and the wind in our backs, we fly to Otterup. And as if fate had a very slight edge on our side, or not, a flat tire number two occurs just as we enter the village. The question is of course always: are we lucky, or not? After some searching around the village, someone points us to a bike shop a little further down the street. The typical ‘bike shop on the corner’, The bicycle gallery. There’s no race bike to be seen in the shop, but there are two very nice men with long hair and beards. Just what we need. There’s a big rip in the outer tire, so a new inner and outer tire is mounted before we can continue. Of course, the heavens have opened in the meantime, so we just move the chip shop a little further along. Time efficient. 

Rain is psychological

It may sound strange, but we both love a good rainstorm. So we quickly finish our plates and, full of good spirits, we hop back on the bike. And as it happens all day long, the sun beams down on us again in a few minutes. Great! The next kilometers lead us through the Fynish interior. As far as you can call the interior of an island of only 3,100 km², but let’s say that we can’t see the sea at the moment. So interior. Cycling on Funen makes us think a bit of Groningen. Flat, few trees, lots of meadows (albeit without cows) and of course the sea. Actually quite relaxing. Maybe that’s why everyone is so relaxed here. 

The final stretch

Before setting off towards our final destination, we first pass through Bogense. Along the northwest coast, we roll past the small fishing villages towards Middelfart. The faint hope of reaching dry land quickly dissipates when we encounter a dark grey cloud. Typical. For behind us the sun still shines brightly, but yet again we become drenched. We look at each other and both have a smile from ear to ear. What a great day! We stop briefly by the water, where a beautiful rainbow appears, beautifully contrasting with the dark grey sky. What luck we have! Just as the day began, it ends today over lightly rolling gravel paths.

Sleeping in the upright position

We are arriving at our hotel for the night, the Comwell hotel Kongebrogaarden. When checking in, of course the question arises: where can we park the bikes tonight? To which the receptionist replies: your room has plenty of space, so take them upstairs! It’s a shame you can’t ride your bike in the hotel room, but it certainly could have been done. What a spacious room!

Enjoying it even after cycling

After a hot shower, we head to the restaurant overlooking the Lillebælt Bridge that connects the island of Funen to the mainland of Jutland. An old metal railway bridge that runs over the water called ‘Snævringen’. We were told that dolphins might swim here sometimes, but you have to be lucky to spot them. And as we were lucky today, that’s exactly what happened. During our dinner, which certainly deserves a star, about four to five small dolphins jump in and out of the water from time to time. Let’s call it a day, and fingers crossed for an equally beautiful cycling day on Funen tomorrow! 

Cycling route Funen Herregardsruten – part 1