Episode 137: Anne Kress

Bikepacking from Greece to Germany via the Trans Dinarica Route

When Life Breaks Down, Ride Home: Anne Kress’ 3,300km Journey from Crete to Germany

Sometimes the best adventures are those which you didn’t plan out. Anne Kress went to Crete for climbing, sunshine, and a bit of remote work. But then her van broke down. She didn’t like the option of flying home, and when she realised there was no quick fix, Anne looked at her 20-year-old mountain bike, listened to her gut, and decided to ride it all the way back to Germany. This adventure would take her across 11 countries, and her route involved over 63,000 meters of climbing. She leaned right into the adventure of it all and chose to ride home via the off-road Trans Dinarica route.

Anne’s van broke down in what she described the middle of nowhere. She was stranded without phone reception and it was Easter weekend. By that Monday she’d decided she would try to ride all the way home to Germany. She quickly found a local bike shop to fit new tyres, brakes, and a pannier rack. She reluctantly left her climbing gear behind, strapped on a tent and the bare essentials , then pointed her handlebars toward the Trans Dinarica route a brand new off-road trail threading her through the mountains.

Riding the Trans Dinarica

Instead of sticking to the “boring” coastal roads, Anne tackled rough gravel climbs, river valleys, and high mountain passes. She was also riding the route in reverse, which came with its own challenges. She wild camped most nights, dodged thunderstorms, and even managed to keep working remotely along the way. The reward? Breathtaking scenery and countless human connections from strangers. This was the best aspect of the whole journey for Anne and she speaks about these interactions with people as the highlights.

Three key lessons from Anne’s adventure:

• Trust your instincts. Listen to your inner voice as the bold idea might be the right one.
• Start with what you have because you don’t need a shiny bike to start an adventure.
• Say yes to detours and be flexible to spontaneous opportunities. People and their generous hospitality can become the best part of your journey.

What I really enjoyed about Anne’s bikepacking trip home is that she leaned into the adventure aspect. That in part was what made it exciting for her. It also highlights that you don’t need perfect conditions or modern equipment to take on a bike adventure. Sometimes all you need is a reason to start pedalling… and the openness to see where it takes you.

You can hear Anne’s full story in this podcast episode, including her strategies for wild camping, taking on tough technical trails, keeping safe during unpredictable mountain thunderstorms and dealing with wild dogs. Be sure to also give Anne a follow via her instagram channel – @annadventure.de

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