3.5 Months, 5200 km, 14 Countries: Cycling from Amsterdam to Yerevan
Marianna Nikoghosyan cycled thousands of kilometers from Amsterdam to Yerevan, passing through numerous countries, discovering the charm of unfamiliar places, and experiencing the boundless kindness of people along the way. Her journey was accompanied by her mother’s morning wishes, friends’ encouragement, and the hospitality of strangers she met. This is her story of strength, willpower, and exploration, where every day promised new, unforgettable adventures.
The Beginning
I began my journey in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, where I had been living. It was a special feeling—putting my keys in the mailbox and setting off with just my bike and a love for the road. I started from Amsterdam, heading south through the Netherlands, then traveled through Belgium, Germany, and into Eastern Europe, crossing a total of 14 countries. Everything I needed was packed into four bags attached to my bike.
The Idea
The idea didn’t come to me immediately; it evolved over time. I started with short rides of two to three hours, then gradually moved on to full-day trips. Talking to people and hearing their stories made me realize that such adventures were not only real but entirely possible. In the Netherlands, where I lived, the approach to travel is quite different. One of my friends would leave her job once or twice a year, move to another country, work in customer service for a small salary, and continue traveling. She’d eventually return to her old job, repeating the cycle again and again.
Inspiration
Interacting with such people inspired me greatly, but what had the most profound impact was Tom Allen’s journey. He traveled from England to Armenia, initially without planning to, but ended up staying here due to a beautiful twist of fate.
Seven Days in Sicily in Winter
One winter, I spent seven days cycling alone in Sicily with a rented bike. It was a unique challenge—a real test. When you load your bike with tens of kilograms of gear, it ceases to be just a bike; it becomes a tank. Sometimes you even wonder, Who’s carrying whom—the bike or me? You learn to manage your speed, which is no longer what you’d expect from a cyclist. Everything becomes more real on trips like these.
Each Day Is Unique
Every day, you learn something new about yourself—your physical and mental strength. Each day brings new experiences, new places, and new people from whom there is always something to learn. You step into the open world, never knowing what you’ll encounter, but one thing is certain: every day is unique.
Seeking Solitude
When you travel alone, you expect to have plenty of time for solitude, but it’s often less than you think. People frequently approach you, ask questions, offer coffee or vodka, and sometimes even invite you to their homes—offering meals with freshly slaughtered chicken or milk from a cow they just milked. You can’t say no because you’re in their village or town, and these offers reflect their genuine hospitality.
A Typical Village Story
While passing through a village in Romania, I spotted an open field and asked a local if I could pitch my tent there. Within half an hour, the whole village knew, and I became the talk of the town. Everyone wanted to invite me to their home. But I was tired and just wanted some peace to read.
I had taken a few books by Raffi with me, hoping to read them, but barely managed to get through three pages. It was impossible to be alone—either I’d collapse from exhaustion or end up talking to people. One neighbor even invited me to meet his aunt, where I ended up flipping through family photo albums and learning how they grow sunflowers.
Hospitality
In Belgium, I met a woman with a large house and two sheep—one black and one white—that responded to her voice like dogs. When she opened the door, they ran to her to be fed. She used their wool for her handmade crafts, and her house was decorated with felt items. She was one of my first hosts through “Warmshowers,” a wonderful community where people not only offer a place to sleep but also open up their world to you. You could travel for years and always find people willing to open their doors for you.
There’s Always Another Option
You always have the option to turn back—hop on a train or a plane and return. But for me, that was never a problem. My motivation came from knowing that everything is temporary, and the next day would bring new, exciting experiences. The positivity you gain makes small inconveniences seem trivial. You learn to overcome them and move forward.
Have Dreams
Try to have dreams, pursue them, and attempt to make them come true. There’s always a “Plan B.” I once spoke to a wise woman who had faced many challenges. She told me something that stuck with me: Going back isn’t always necessary or desirable, but moving forward, trying new things—you’ll never regret it.
Every Morning
My fan club was small. My top supporter was my mom, who wished me good morning every day, sending cheerful emojis and wishing me a safe journey. While this small gesture might seem insignificant to many, it meant a lot to me, knowing my parent was supporting me.
Imagine—it’s like hiking, but the bike allows you to cover more ground in the same amount of time, with all your belongings on the bike, freeing you from carrying a heavy load.
Nairi Archery Club
Besides my travels, I now have a project that is very important and inspiring to me. By chance, a few friends and I attended archery lessons. This sport, though underdeveloped in Armenia, is incredibly beautiful. Realizing this, we decided to create a club, as there were no private archery initiatives in Armenia—all schools were state-run or semi-state. It’s been two years now, and we’re doing our best to make this dream a reality. (Learn more at https://nairiarcheryclub.am).
Everything Is Possible
For me, the most important realization was that if you truly set your mind to something, everything is possible. This gave me the strength to believe that I can achieve my goals in the years to come. Now I know I have the patience, strength, and resilience. It’s one thing to say it, but it’s entirely different to be confident you can do it.
If I had the chance, I’d do it all over again—right here, right now.