Heart, wheels and hilarious night shifts: Tina’s Euro trip 2025 story

Tina joined EuroTrip 2025 as the on-the-ground cyclist support, riding alongside the runners to keep morale high, navigation on point, and memories rolling. Though she wasn’t aiming to log sprint kilometers, her heart and hustle kept the team safe, connected, and energized from Innsbruck to Ljubljana. A true embodiment of on-wheels camaraderie, Tina proved that every great run needs its backbeat and its backbone.

What motivated you to join the EuroTrip 2025 as cyclist support for the runners?

My crew, aka my family. I’m definitely not in running shape these days, but joining to support them felt like the right (and smart :)) move. No sprints for me, but all heart.

How would you describe your role during the journey from Innsbruck to Ljubljana?

My role was to make sure our runners felt safe, motivated, and didn’t accidentally get lost. I was the on-wheels navigator, morale booster, photographer, and occasional DJ.

What was it like to experience the route on two wheels, right next to the runners?

It was a joy. I got to soak in the scenery while keeping the runners entertained -chatting, playing music, and even creating elaborate bear-encounter scenarios to distract them from the pain. Pure fun (plus a few hills and a bit of sweat).

Was there a moment when you really felt the impact of your presence on the team’s morale?

Absolutely.  Especially during the night shifts and towards the finish line. The runners were exhausted, half-asleep, and definitely in need of some laughs. Keeping them awake with jokes and borderline ridiculous conversations, made me feel like I was genuinely helping. Who knew people could run while basically sleepwalking?

What challenges did you face while cycling – physically, mentally, or logistically?

Staying warm at night, powering through heavy rain, and dealing with the flashlight dying in the middle of the woods (we ended up making our way with the soft romantic glow of my cellphone). My Garmin went rogue, so I had to steer with one hand while checking Google Maps on the other. Bonus challenge: trying to film a cool video while biking. Let’s just say I’m not switching careers to cinematography anytime soon.

How did you communicate and coordinate with both the runners and the logistics team on the road?

Mostly through our phones, quick calls and messages. Luckily, we had amazing teammates handling coordination and logistics, so I could focus on pedaling and storytelling.

Can you share a moment that captured the spirit of the whole EuroTrip experience for you?

One of our teams got lost trying to find the second checkpoint. The other team returned to help, and suddenly everyone was involved- arguing, problem-solving, and laughing hysterically at the same time. That moment of chaos and unity sums up EuroTrip perfectly.

How did it feel to be part of this team, even if you weren’t running the kilometers yourself?

Like a big, slightly chaotic family gathering. Everyone brought their own flavor, and together we cooked up something unforgettable. Or, if you prefer a technical metaphor, like one gear of a Swiss watch – not flashy one, but essential.

What did you take away from this experience – personally or emotionally?

Being part of something bigger than yourself, a community, a shared challenge,  is incredibly powerful. Even when you’re not the one crossing the finish line, you feel the pride just the same.

Would you do it again – and what would you say to the next person who’ll take the bike next to the crew?

When do we leave? And for my successor: bring a warm jacket, pack some great stories, and remember- a good joke at the right time is worth its weight in gold (especially at 3 a.m. in the rain).