Swedish Gran Bikes To Cyprus But Longs For Home

A 72-year-old granny who pedaled halfway around the world to get to the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference in Egypt and deliver world leaders an important message says she longs to get back home after more than 10 months on the road.

Dorothee Hildebrandt from Katrineholm, Sweden became a celebrity 10 months ago when she set out to criss-cross Europe on her e-bike to get to the annual United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference – COP27 held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in order to raise awareness about climate change.

The eco-warrior armed with her two-wheeled companion, a pink e-bike that she affectionately calls “Miss Piggy” and a heart full of determination, set out to conquer Europe and the Middle East, one pedal stroke at a time.

Dorothee Hildebrandt, 72, poses in an undated photo. At the age of 72, Dorothee cycled from Sweden to Cyprus. (Newsflash)

Dorothee’s journey was nothing short of epic. She embarked on a journey of a lifetime through more than 20 countries and traveled 10,000 kilometres in order to raise awareness about climate change.

She and her companion “Miss Piggy” dubbed after the temperamental muppet character that symbolizes the fierce, independent character of women, cycled through countries like Denmark, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria, and Greece, and then through Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan.

Her Facebook posts portraying her journey have gotten thousands of views and she said she received positive feedback both from followers and people she met along the way.

From other activists helping her with accommodation to passerby strangers helping her push her e-bike in places where the hilly terrain made it difficult for her to pass, Dorothy was amazed by the kindness of strangers she met along the way.

She says that the financial burden of such travel was more difficult than she expected, even with the funding she receives on her GoGetFunding page.

Dorothee Hildebrandt, 72, poses in an undated photo. At the age of 72, Dorothee cycled from Sweden to Cyprus. (Newsflash)

During her travels to Jordan, a compassionate border guard rallied fellow travelers to help her out with a 60 USD (48 GBP) entry fee because she could not afford it. It was just one of many instances that showcased the human kindness that Dorothee experienced along the way.

Dorothee’s presence was hard to ignore, journalists from the countries she cycled in were eager to interview her. She was invited to visit pavilions and meet with dignitaries and even became somewhat of a minor celebrity in her own right.

She was even invited to cycle with the president of Egypt, an act she accepted in order to raise awareness about sustainable travel.

Despite all the attention, Dorothee remained dedicated to fulfilling her mission.

Having made it in time for the COP27, Dorothee has now cycled back to Cyprus through Israel and Palestine at the start of April.

She is currently staying in KATKA Hostel in Paphos, on the southwestern edge of the country.

Dorothee Hildebrandt, 72, poses in an undated photo. At the age of 72, Dorothee cycled from Sweden to Cyprus. (Newsflash)

With no regular ferries to Greece until the end of May, she may have to settle down on the island for a while longer. She apparently is already looking for work that can cover her expenses to stay on the island.

Despite the fact that she says that she is immensely enjoying the charms of Cyprus, she is also “itching” to get back home.

“Maybe there is someone with a boat? Someone who is sailing to Greece and could take me with them? I would like to keep moving as it will take many more months to cycle back to Sweden. And I am longing for home.” – she says.


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