<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" standalone="yes"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"><channel><title>Nordkapp 2025 on lukasz-skalski.com</title><link>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/categories/nordkapp-2025/</link><description>Recent content in Nordkapp 2025 on lukasz-skalski.com</description><generator>Hugo</generator><language>en</language><lastBuildDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +0100</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/categories/nordkapp-2025/index.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title>Seven Months Later: Nordkapp, Memories, and Hope for Franek</title><link>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2026-02-09-seven-months-later-nordkapp-and-franek/</link><pubDate>Mon, 09 Feb 2026 18:00:00 +0100</pubDate><guid>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2026-02-09-seven-months-later-nordkapp-and-franek/</guid><description>&lt;p&gt;There are journeys you return from slowly, and there are those from which - mentally - you never truly return at all.&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&lt;p&gt;That is exactly how it is with my cycling expedition to Nordkapp. Even though seven months have passed since it ended, it remains vividly alive in my mind. Sometimes it comes back as short stories shared with friends, sometimes as a fleeting glance on my way out to work at the large wooden map of Scandinavia that Monika gave me after my return, and sometimes simply as quiet moments drifting back to the very best and very hardest days on the road.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Safely Back Home: The Nordkapp Journey's End</title><link>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-07-22-back-home-and-reflections/</link><pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +0200</pubDate><guid>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-07-22-back-home-and-reflections/</guid><description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;I am back home!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&lt;p&gt;Truth be told, I have been back since Saturday, but returning to real life has completely knocked the energy out of me. As luck would have it, this afternoon Monika and I grabbed our bikes and rode out to watch the ships sailing out of the harbor. There was really no better moment than this to sit down and record a brief recap of the return journey.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>We Made It! Nordkapp: The End of the Road</title><link>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-07-10-reaching-nordkapp-the-end-of-the-road/</link><pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2025 16:30:00 +0200</pubDate><guid>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-07-10-reaching-nordkapp-the-end-of-the-road/</guid><description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;We made it! There is no road beyond this point!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&lt;p&gt;After covering &lt;strong&gt;over 2100 kilometers&lt;/strong&gt;, we have finally reached &lt;strong&gt;Nordkapp&lt;/strong&gt;! Done for ourselves, and done for Franek!&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10; &#10; &#10;&#10;&#10;&lt;figure &gt;&#10; &lt;img src="http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/media/posts/2025-07-10-reaching-nordkapp-the-end-of-the-road/img_01.jpg" alt="Nordkapp reached" loading="lazy" /&gt;&#10; &#10; &lt;figcaption&gt;&#10; &#10; &lt;p&gt;We did it!&lt;/p&gt;&#10; &lt;/figcaption&gt;&#10; &#10;&lt;/figure&gt;&#10;&#10;&lt;p&gt;Looking like 19th-century explorers after weeks on the road, I just wanted to share this spontaneous video to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10; &#10; &#10; &#10;&#10;&#10;&lt;figure class="portrait" style="margin: 2rem auto; text-align: center; max-width: 380px;"&gt;&#10; &lt;video&#10; controls&#10; playsinline&#10; preload="metadata"&#10; style="width: 100%; max-height: 75vh; border-radius: 12px; display: block; margin: 0 auto; box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);"&gt;&#10; &lt;source src="http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/media/posts/2025-07-10-reaching-nordkapp-the-end-of-the-road/vid_01.mp4" type="video/mp4"&gt;&#10; Your browser does not support the video tag.&#10; &lt;/video&gt;&#10; &#10;&lt;/figure&gt;&#10;&#10;&lt;p&gt;I will prepare a final video edit and a full expedition summary once the dust settles, but for now - it&amp;rsquo;s time to head back home.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>The Edge of the Continent: The Final 47 km to the North Cape</title><link>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-07-10-the-final-47-km-to-nordkapp/</link><pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0200</pubDate><guid>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-07-10-the-final-47-km-to-nordkapp/</guid><description>&lt;p&gt;It feels like a strange morning—the very last one riding forward with the mindset of reaching the destination, rather than heading back home.&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10; &#10; &#10;&#10;&#10;&lt;figure class="portrait" style="max-width: 420px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"&gt;&#10; &lt;img src="http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/media/posts/2025-07-10-the-final-47-km-to-nordkapp/img_01.jpg" alt="The final morning heading towards the destination, taking some extra time to sleep in" loading="lazy" /&gt;&#10; &#10; &lt;figcaption&gt;&#10; &#10; &lt;p&gt;The final morning on the way to the destination - a chance to sleep in a little longer.&lt;/p&gt;&#10; &lt;/figcaption&gt;&#10; &#10;&lt;/figure&gt;&#10;&#10;&lt;p&gt;We have &lt;strong&gt;only 47 km left to the North Cape&lt;/strong&gt;. That is where the land ends and the road stops - you simply cannot ride any further. Today we are lounging in our sleeping bags a bit longer than usual; there is no need to rush.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>The Final Stretch: Only 240 km to Nordkapp</title><link>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-07-08-final-stretch-to-nordkapp/</link><pubDate>Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0200</pubDate><guid>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-07-08-final-stretch-to-nordkapp/</guid><description>&lt;p&gt;After covering &lt;strong&gt;135 km yesterday&lt;/strong&gt;, we are now just &lt;strong&gt;240 km away from Nordkapp&lt;/strong&gt;!&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&lt;p&gt;This is likely the last &amp;ldquo;talking&amp;rdquo; update from the road before reaching the finish line. The recording turned out the way it did - plenty of raw emotions and tears, but I honestly didn&amp;rsquo;t have the energy to do a second take. Besides, this entire journey has been an emotional rollercoaster, so let that honesty stay in the video.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Beyond the Arctic Circle: A Dream and a Promise Kept</title><link>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-07-03-crossing-the-arctic-circle/</link><pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2025 20:00:00 +0200</pubDate><guid>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-07-03-crossing-the-arctic-circle/</guid><description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;I have officially crossed the Arctic Circle!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&lt;p&gt;There is still a huge distance ahead of us, but right now, part of my dream and the promise made for this fundraiser has come true. I am beyond happy, so I wanted to share this moment of pure joy with all of you!&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10; &#10; &#10; &#10;&#10;&#10;&lt;figure class="portrait" style="margin: 2rem auto; text-align: center; max-width: 380px;"&gt;&#10; &lt;video&#10; controls&#10; playsinline&#10; preload="metadata"&#10; style="width: 100%; max-height: 75vh; border-radius: 12px; display: block; margin: 0 auto; box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);"&gt;&#10; &lt;source src="http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/media/posts/2025-07-03-crossing-the-arctic-circle/vid_01.mp4" type="video/mp4"&gt;&#10; Your browser does not support the video tag.&#10; &lt;/video&gt;&#10; &#10;&lt;/figure&gt;&#10;&#10;&lt;p&gt;👉 &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.siepomaga.pl/nordkapp-rowerem-dla-frania" class="external-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Support Franek on Siepomaga&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Over 1000 km Behind Us: Heading Towards the Arctic Circle</title><link>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-06-30-crossing-1000-km-towards-the-arctic-circle/</link><pubDate>Mon, 30 Jun 2025 21:30:00 +0200</pubDate><guid>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-06-30-crossing-1000-km-towards-the-arctic-circle/</guid><description>&lt;p&gt;We already have &lt;strong&gt;over 1000 kilometers&lt;/strong&gt; of this cycling adventure behind us.&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&lt;p&gt;We are slowly leaving the Gulf of Bothnia behind and turning directly north to begin the most demanding stage of this journey - pushing toward the &lt;strong&gt;Arctic Circle&lt;/strong&gt; and onwards to the &lt;strong&gt;North Cape&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&lt;p&gt;The past few days have been mostly relentless rain and mud (last night spent in muddy bushes was definitely not the highlight of the trip). But today, as if on cue, the day ended with an actual campsite and warm sunshine - so I recorded another quick update.&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>The Journey Begins: Rolling Out for Franek and Nordkapp</title><link>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-06-18-nordkapp-journey-begins/</link><pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2025 08:00:00 +0200</pubDate><guid>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-06-18-nordkapp-journey-begins/</guid><description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;I&amp;rsquo;m off! For Franek and for myself!&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&lt;p&gt;Thank you for every kind word and gesture before my departure. Now, there is only the long open road ahead. Keep your fingers crossed!&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10;&#10; &#10; &#10; &#10;&#10;&#10;&lt;figure class="portrait" style="margin: 2rem auto; text-align: center; max-width: 380px;"&gt;&#10; &lt;video&#10; controls&#10; playsinline&#10; preload="metadata"&#10; style="width: 100%; max-height: 75vh; border-radius: 12px; display: block; margin: 0 auto; box-shadow: 0 4px 16px rgba(0,0,0,0.15);"&gt;&#10; &lt;source src="http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/media/posts/2025-06-18-nordkapp-journey-begins/vid_01.mp4" type="video/mp4"&gt;&#10; Your browser does not support the video tag.&#10; &lt;/video&gt;&#10; &#10;&lt;/figure&gt;&#10;&#10;&lt;p&gt;Thank you so much for every contribution to the fundraiser:&lt;br&gt;&#10;👉 &lt;strong&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.siepomaga.pl/nordkapp-rowerem-dla-frania" class="external-link" target="_blank" rel="noopener"&gt;Support Franek on Siepomaga&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description></item><item><title>Beyond the Arctic Circle: Cycling to the North Cape</title><link>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-06-02-nordkapp-expedition-franek/</link><pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2025 10:00:00 +0200</pubDate><guid>http://www.lukasz-skalski.com/posts/2025-06-02-nordkapp-expedition-franek/</guid><description>&lt;p&gt;Dear Friends,&lt;/p&gt;&#10;&lt;p&gt;This will be a long post about &lt;strong&gt;dreams, helping others, illness, the good people on my path, physical challenges, fears&lt;/strong&gt;, and things we don&amp;rsquo;t usually share on social media. But since I&amp;rsquo;ve decided to reveal a bit of my vulnerability, let it be without holding back&amp;hellip; This is a post about how, in just over 2 weeks, I will set off on a &lt;strong&gt;multi-thousand-kilometer bicycle journey beyond the Arctic Circle&lt;/strong&gt;, not only to fulfill my own dreams, but (and more importantly!) to also help &lt;strong&gt;6-year-old Franek&lt;/strong&gt; in his fight against an incurable disease. You too can help me/us in this fight! I will be very grateful for taking a moment of your time to read and share this post, and for supporting the money box set up for the fundraiser (jump straight to the &lt;a href="#how-to-support" &gt;How to Support&lt;/a&gt; section at the bottom)!&lt;/p&gt;</description></item></channel></rss>