17 days, 12 hours, and 10 minutes. That’s how long it took German endurance cyclist Marco Zahnder to ride from Krakow to Tarifa, covering an incredible 4,400 km along the way.
Riding solo and unsupported, Marco tackled the immense journey across mountains, valleys, and coasts – facing the full spectrum of weather, terrain, and mental challenges.
On the second-to-last day, a river crossing turned dramatic: the concrete surface proved unexpectedly slippery, causing a crash. But Marco got back on the bike, undeterred.
When he finally reached Tarifa, there was a moment of confusion – he arrived looking so fresh, dressed in a clean kit (jersey and bib shorts) that he’d carried from the start as a spare. For a second, we didn’t recognize him.
Reflecting on the journey, Marco simply wrote:
“Das war ein tolles Erlebnis, vielen Dank 😀”
(“That was a great experience, thank you very much 😀”)
We thank Marco for showing what’s possible with determination, preparation, and a good sense of humor – even after 4,400 km and a river crash.
Chapeau, Marco!
Photos: Col d’Aubisque, Pico del Veleta and at the finish Tarifa
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