Vegard Andersen, a 45-year-old IT specialist from Bergen, Norway, embarked on a cycling tour starting from his hometown and traveling through Denmark, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and finishing in Uzhhorod. The 19-day journey covered 2,000 km.
Originally, Andersen planned to bike to London this year, but his father, Ulav Andersen, who has friends in Ukraine, suggested he visit Ukraine instead, according to the newspaper Den.
Vegard Andersen was initially familiar with Ukraine through prominent Ukrainian athletes Andriy Shevchenko and the Klitschko brothers. His interest grew when the war began in 2014. He was horrified by the news, as his father was in Ukraine at that time and shared stories and photos of Uzhhorod upon returning to Norway.
The idea of a cycling tour from Norway to Ukraine had been on Andersen's mind for four years. He planned the details of the trip and route. His stepbrother, Lieutenant Oleksandr, is in the Ukrainian Armed Forces, so Andersen decided to combine his tour with support for Ukraine, launching a fundraising campaign for drones for the Ukrainian army.
"I want as many people as possible to know that Ukraine is fighting for its freedom and right to exist and needs our support. This journey is dedicated to that cause, and I believe I will return to your wonderful, peaceful country soon," said the Norwegian.
Andersen cycled up to 120 kilometers a day, depending on weather and terrain. He hopes his message to Ukrainians and his followers is: "Never give up on your goals and follow your dreams!"
At the Ukrainian-Slovak border, Andersen was greeted by his father Ulav, who had arrived in Uzhhorod a few weeks earlier, and his Ukrainian friends.
