Brave and determined, with her eyes fixed on the horizon, Christine Kammerer is the first woman to reach the North Cape in the 2024 edition of NorthCape 4000.
Her journey was one of discovery and self-awareness, where competition gave way to adventure and the desire to explore. We asked her to share her journey: the emotions, encounters, and the beauty of pushing a little further, one pedal stroke at a time.
1. What inspired you to join the NorthCape4000?
I had never been to the North Cape before, and the idea of reaching it by bike while traveling through the northern countries really appealed to me. I hadn’t explored these regions much before, so this was a great opportunity. The fact that the route was already planned and that I’d be riding alongside others who shared the same goal made it even more appealing. And the fact that the NorthCape4000 did not seem to be such a competitive event, to enjoy the journey to the NorthCape seemed to be important here.
2. In what ways has this experience changed you?
Once again, it showed me how much more we are capable of, much more than we might never have thought of to achieve. Additionally, I experienced how adaptable my body is and how well it can handle challenges. Sure, you always should listen closely and make adjustments, if necessary, feel what it needs to keep going. This always gives me a good opportunity to tune into my body more closely. Right after the event, I became much more aware of simple things: I deeply appreciated good food, really taking it in with all my senses, as well as clean clothes and a freshly made bed, and for sure to sleep as long as I would like.
The accomplishment also made me mentally stronger. If I can achieve something like this, then what is the limit? The only real limits are the ones in my mind.
3. How would you compare this experience to others you’ve done?
I really enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere—there weren’t as many strict rules as in other races, like the Transcontinental Race. It felt more like an adventure than a competition, which made it a very special experience for me. I wasn’t looking for a competitive challenge this time, as I know I can get quite competitive, which sometimes gets in the way of fully enjoying an event. This time, I wanted to take pictures each day and truly enjoy the journey.
I also really liked chatting with other riders along the way. By the time we reached the second starting line in Rovaniemi, I already knew the other four riders from earlier interactions. It was great to see them all again, even though I knew I would need to ride at my own pace to reach the finish.
4. What part of the route surprised you the most, and why?
I absolutely loved the last day of riding along the coast and the final climb up to the North Cape. I stopped so many times to take pictures, it was just breathtaking. Even the strong headwind couldn’t take away from the experience. At one point, it was so intense that I had to stop because my helmet got blown off my head! 😉
5. Were there any encounters during the ride that stood out to you?
There were so many memorable encounters, but one in particular stands out:
One night, I really needed a proper sleep. The night before, I had slept at a children’s playground, so I wanted a hotel this time. But the only available option was extremely expensive, which didn’t seem worth it for just 3–4 hours of sleep. I had also called a campsite in advance, but they told me that if I didn’t have a tent, I couldn’t stay there.
So, I decided to sleep outside and looked for a sheltered spot, but nothing suitable appeared. Checking my route, I noticed a small detour leading to a lake with a few houses nearby. I thought I might find a good bivy spot there. As I was searching, a man came out of his house and asked if I needed help finding my way. I explained that I was looking for a place to sleep for a couple of hours—maybe a bench or some kind of shelter. He mentioned a bench by the lake, but considering the cold, I wasn’t too excited about that option.
We chatted for a bit, and then he offered me a spot in front of the sauna house. As we walked over, he told me he had once ridden the Vätternrundan, a 315 km cycling event.
Then, after thinking for a moment, he said, “Now that I know you, I have a better offer for you.” It turned out that all the houses in the area belonged to his family, and he led me to a house where his aunt lived. On the ground floor, there was an unoccupied apartment, and he told me I could sleep there on the sofa.
After introducing me to his aunt, they showed me the shower. Then, as if his kindness wasn’t already overwhelming, he topped his offer once more: “Actually, if I think about it, you can just sleep in the bed—it’s freshly made. Just close the door and turn off the light when you leave.”
I was astonished and incredibly grateful. When I thanked him, he simply said, “That’s karma.” And I really felt that. I will never forget his moment. I took a quick shower and had an amazing sleep in a clean, comfortable bed. 😊
6. How did you prepare, both mentally and physically, for the 4000 km?
Mentally, I didn’t need as much preparation this time, since I had finished the TCR two years ago and already knew I could do it. However, in the past, visualization helped me a lot—I imagined myself reaching the finish line, which strengthened my confidence. I think it’s always good to respect the distance and the challenges that might arise, but also to trust that things will somehow work out.
Additionally, I focused on nasal breathing during cycling, which I had started practicing the year before. It helps me stay calm, accept situations as they come, and keep my mind clear and calm to handle unexpected challenges.
Physically, I don’t like strict training plans—I just love riding my bike. However, I made sure to do at least some longer rides: 200 km, one 300 km, and then the Mittelgebirge Classique, a 1000 km event with 22,000 meters of climbing. Apart from that, I simply rode as much as I felt like—actually, I didn’t do that many long rides in preparation.
Additional Thoughts or Experiences
There are so many thinks to say, so I really have a hard time to not talk too much… One more fun time I will not forget:
I really enjoyed my stay in Lycksele. On my way there, I noticed a lot of old-timer cars, which reminded me of Cuba. I thought, “Okay, people here really seem to love vintage cars.”
When I arrived, I realized I had arrived for “Motorveckan” (Motor Week). At the first hotel I tried to get a room, they told me everything was fully booked in town due to the festival. Luckily, they suggested trying the campsite, and even though it was officially closed, they organized somebody that I could rent a small hut there. They said, “Nobody will be sleeping before 5 a.m. anyway…”
The next day, I met Guillaume, and he told me he had no luck finding a place, so he ended up staying at McDonald’s—surrounded by party people and even the police checked on him if everything was okay with him. At that moment, I felt even luckier about my little cosy hut at the campsite!
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