Bikepacking "On Her Own": Wiebke Lühman cycles 3500 kilometres to the North Cape in the pouring rain

Wiebke Lühmann was a triathlete in the national triathlon league. And she is a passionate cycling adventurer. Her first long tour in 2019 was a seven-month cycle tour through South America. This was followed by various smaller bikepacking tours and short adventures, while Wiebke's popularity on social media grew.

"Women can write adventure stories too"

The next major tour was scheduled for August 2022, and a film was to be made about it in collaboration with Fabienne Engel, a good friend and photographer. It wasn't supposed to be a travel documentary, but rather a film about the tour and the emotions experienced along the way. An important point was to show the two of them that women can also write adventure stories. And that an adventure is not necessarily about higher, faster, further, but first and foremost about yourself and your own attitude.

Eagerly awaited by countless friends, relatives and acquaintances, Instagram followers and sponsors, the time had finally come in December: On Her Own celebrated its premiere. And five times at that. The protagonist and the video producer went on a short film tour together with four stops and five screenings, including a Q&A session. One of the stops was at the new Ryzon Concept Store in Munich.

Why to the North Cape?

Wiebke Lühmann chose the North Cape as her destination for several reasons. Point number one: the destination had to be reachable by bike within a few weeks, because there was no more time. Number two: Her father had cycled the Arctic Circle when he was 16 and described the experience as extremely tough. Wiebke thought to herself, "I want to see how hard it is for me" and that it doesn't end at the Arctic Circle, there are still over 1000 kilometres to go. So why not cycle to the North Cape? She was able to take a month off in the summer of 2022, so it was time to organise the missing equipment such as a tent and sleeping bag, plan the film production, pack and go. Just get away from it all, have quality time with yourself, no pressure from outside, just take care of your own needs such as eating, drinking, sleeping and regenerating.

The film On Her Own

Fabienne Engel is a photographer and the film project was an adventure "On Her Own" not only for Wiebke but also for her. She not only learnt a lot from editing the video. The four days during which she accompanied Wiebke's final stages to the North Cape also taught her a lot of new things. The first time (wild) camping, for example. And somehow keeping the camera batteries fully charged.

The two women have created a film that is inspiring, honest and for which a lot of pasta bags and chocolate were eaten. After the premieres, On Her Own is now also available on YouTube. Lean back and embark on a journey to the North Cape. Don't forget your rain jacket.