Sjors on inline skates to the Polar cicle
Sjors van der Leeden started on May 1, 2018, from Arnhem on his inline skates his journey to the Polar circle in Sweden. He undertook this trip because he found it a huge challenge, but also because he wanted to use his muscles to raise money for people who were less blessed than he was with a healthy body. He would provide the donations he would receive to the organization "Muscles for muscles". This Foundation collects money to help children who are born with muscle diseases. The foundation does research of the diseases, diagnoses and tools in order to facilitate that these children can more normally participate in the activities with the other children
It will be clear that this trip had to be well prepared, not only physically, but also with regard to the way he could carry with him the necessary clothing, tent, cooking utensils, medications, mosquito protection, maintenance parts for his skates, route maps, etc.. At this point he was helped by someone offering him a two-wheeled vehicle on which he could load his things and that he could push or pull while he could skate reasonably "freely".
Before he left, he obviously did several trips to test how he could skate in this way. It was clear that he had to limit the distances to be able to skate for many days. The plan was to limit the skating distance to no more than 50km per day and then find a place to sleep and rest for the next day.
Before he left, he obviously did several trips to test how he could skate in this way. It was clear that he had to limit the distances to be able to skate for many days. The plan was to limit the skating distance to no more than 50km per day and then find a place to sleep and rest for the next day.
An unfortunate start
As said, he started May 1 but after 3 day, just before the German border, physical problems forced him to stop. It turned out to be necessary to undergo a small operation in the hospital and therefore he had to interrupt his journey at that time.
That was not the end of his adventure. On May 23 he was able to start again. He decided to take a boat instead of skating through Germany and Denmark, to Sweden and to get back on his skates in Tellerborg on the southern Swedish coast. So there actually his journey to the Arctic Circle started. First he skated to Malmö and traveled straight north for 30 km every day until he arrived in Jönkoping on Lake Vattern on June 6.
As said, he started May 1 but after 3 day, just before the German border, physical problems forced him to stop. It turned out to be necessary to undergo a small operation in the hospital and therefore he had to interrupt his journey at that time.
That was not the end of his adventure. On May 23 he was able to start again. He decided to take a boat instead of skating through Germany and Denmark, to Sweden and to get back on his skates in Tellerborg on the southern Swedish coast. So there actually his journey to the Arctic Circle started. First he skated to Malmö and traveled straight north for 30 km every day until he arrived in Jönkoping on Lake Vattern on June 6.
He had then covered the first 400km. Sometimes with nice weather, sometimes in the rain and sleeping in the cold.
Along this lake he drove further north to Hjo about 100km and there he went in the direction of the west to drive further along the Vänern to the North. On 15 June he reached the lake at Güllspang. The next day he drove along the lake to Karlstadt.
Along this lake he drove further north to Hjo about 100km and there he went in the direction of the west to drive further along the Vänern to the North. On 15 June he reached the lake at Güllspang. The next day he drove along the lake to Karlstadt.
On the 17th of June he again put on his skates to continue further north. 45 km above Karlstadt he wanted to set up his tent, but then two people came to him and offered him a place to sleep that he still remembers with pleasure. The next day he was again invited by friendly people to sleep on their camping. They also gave support to Muscles for Muscles.
The next day he made a beautiful trip again and he saw a moose in full glory. However, it also was a tense experience because the moose startled and scampered the road while an approaching car arrived. However, like every Swedish drivers, he was also very attend and fortunately could brake just in time. Later he reached a beautiful campsite with a tent for more than 80 people but with an access road that was not very attractive for skaters.
The hospitality was fantastic here in the north. On Friday, June 23. he had to walk through uninhabited territory because he had made a navigation mistake.
He sat at the waterfront for a moment when a couple arrived who offered him a few beers. He said that he could not drink because he had to go even further on his skates. They walked back to their ” stuga” and 10 minutes later he got a plate of food with salmon, shrimps, herring, sausages, eggs, meatballs and soft drinks.
It will be clear that there was no lack the hospitality in Sweden. He found them very friendly. Also the beautiful nature has not failed as the different pictures make clear. But that is not enough to bring such a trip to a successful conclusion.
He sat at the waterfront for a moment when a couple arrived who offered him a few beers. He said that he could not drink because he had to go even further on his skates. They walked back to their ” stuga” and 10 minutes later he got a plate of food with salmon, shrimps, herring, sausages, eggs, meatballs and soft drinks.
It will be clear that there was no lack the hospitality in Sweden. He found them very friendly. Also the beautiful nature has not failed as the different pictures make clear. But that is not enough to bring such a trip to a successful conclusion.
Then the problems started
The route to Orsa largely had to be made on the auto route E45. The road was relatively narrow and not prepared for rollerskateers with a baggage cart. Especially when traffic came from both sides he hastily had to jump into the roadside. He went a lot further, but on June 30 he pitched his tent for the last time close to Nippikoski. He had come to the decision not to continue. The road to the far north remained too dangerous. He says the following about this:
The route to Orsa largely had to be made on the auto route E45. The road was relatively narrow and not prepared for rollerskateers with a baggage cart. Especially when traffic came from both sides he hastily had to jump into the roadside. He went a lot further, but on June 30 he pitched his tent for the last time close to Nippikoski. He had come to the decision not to continue. The road to the far north remained too dangerous. He says the following about this:
"After having almost had an accident on the E45 last week, I got stranded in nippikoski. The moment has come that I do not want, dare and can take the risk to go on. I am not afraid of a little risk, but this was a life -threatening situations. I also have the responsibility for fellow road users. This decision is very hard for me, partly because of all the lovely people who donated, and the people who were so sweet to give me a place to sleep. I can safely say that I did everything to bring this trip a good end. I know when I am defeated, and that moment has arrived.
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The trip has been difficult but I did it with pleasure. I have given everything fatigue, blisters and muscle pain, socks that are darkened by blood, demotivating distances and climbs. The blistering heat and the frost in the morning. The mosquitoes and the crossing elk. I have considered continuing the trip walking to the Northern Cape, but I have not trained for that, and I do not have the extra time I would need. I don´t have to make excuses because it was too dangerous and I do not want to put my life at risk in order to complete the tour. "
Commentary Willem Saris
I have followed his plan from the start with much interest because it would require a huge effort and organization and because he did it for a good cause. Despite setbacks, he has continued and tried to realize his final goal. To make such an enterprise special, it also means that at a given moment one has to realize that one can´t go on and also accepts that. He made a bus ride to see if the road became better, but had to conclude that the road remained the same over a long distance. After that his decision was made to return without having realized his goal. His daring and perseverance but also his common sense to stop at the right moment make Sjors a special person. That's why I wrote this story about him.
For stories about other special skaters, such as a female professional skater in the beginning of the 19th century, I refer to my website
I have followed his plan from the start with much interest because it would require a huge effort and organization and because he did it for a good cause. Despite setbacks, he has continued and tried to realize his final goal. To make such an enterprise special, it also means that at a given moment one has to realize that one can´t go on and also accepts that. He made a bus ride to see if the road became better, but had to conclude that the road remained the same over a long distance. After that his decision was made to return without having realized his goal. His daring and perseverance but also his common sense to stop at the right moment make Sjors a special person. That's why I wrote this story about him.
For stories about other special skaters, such as a female professional skater in the beginning of the 19th century, I refer to my website