About the project
After Jürgen’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis in February 2022 and the subsequent rocky recovery phase, he decided to turn his experiences into a project: to cross Iceland by bike. This journey is not only a personal challenge, but also an opportunity to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer and early detection features and to encourage other sufferers and their families.
In August 2025, Jürgen and a small group will spend three weeks touring Iceland’s nature by bike. A journey that is also symbolic of the fight against cancer. Just like during the long recovery period, the journey in Iceland will take him over hill and dale. This project is therefore much more than just a bicycle tour. It is a symbol of the hope of getting up again after setbacks and trusting life again.
The ferry will take us from Hirtshals, Denmark to Seyðisfjörður, Iceland. From there, the bike tour begins with the first challenge: the Seyðisfjörður pass with a gradient of up to 10-15%. From there, the route heads to the north of Iceland, to Raufarhöfn to the Arctic Henge, to Mývatn to Lake Mosquito, through the highlands to Vík í Mýrdal and finally via the ring road to Reykjavik.
About Jürgen
„My name is Jürgen. I’m a father of three, an Icelandic resident and pancreatic cancer survivor from Lübeck. I was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022. This diagnosis, the effects of the disease and the aftermath of the operation turned my life completely upside down.
My everyday life is different today than it was before the illness. It took a long time before I was able to walk again after the operation and had enough energy to get through my days. Over time, the idea of facing old and new challenges after the illness matured in me so that I could really make the most of my second life.
In 2023, I had the idea of traveling to Iceland by bike. During the exhausting recovery period, Iceland was always a beacon for me and thoughts of the island gave me hope and the courage not to give up. I am grateful that I can cycle again today and would now like to take on the challenge of traveling Iceland by bike.
The aim of this journey is to encourage other sufferers, but also their relatives, not to give up. Even if life is characterized by setbacks, especially with cancer, there are many things worth fighting for.
The journey through Iceland will therefore be a metaphor for the hilly, rocky but also hopeful path through cancer. In addition, this cycling trip is also about raising awareness of pancreatic cancer.
Only around 10% of people in Germany survive pancreatic cancer, which is why I want to raise awareness of it. Early examinations can lead to timely diagnoses and therefore potentially save lives.“
The ADP
Jürgen is also the regional group leader for Schleswig-Holstein in the pancreatectomy working group (Arbeitskreis der Pankreatektomierten, AdP) to support patients and their relatives and to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer.
The AdP provides support on topics relating to the pancreas and rehabilitation and offers sufferers, relatives and interested parties the opportunity to exchange information and share experiences.
This voluntary work is a matter close to Jürgen’s heart and gives him the opportunity to learn even more about the pancreas and life after a serious illness.
Rowing against cancer
Since 2024, Jürgen has also been taking part in Rowing Against Cancer, an initiative by Leben mit Krebs. Together with other cancer patients, he takes part in weekly rowing training, where he and his fellow rowers prepare for Benifiz regattas, which take place several times a year.
In addition to the fresh air, the exercise and the company, Jürgen has found a hobby in rowing that is good for him and his body. The opportunity to be part of a team and row together for a good cause fulfills him. By the way: Rowing against cancer is available at numerous locations.
Accompaniment
Dr. Silke Korich
Child and adolescent psychiatrist and psychotherapist
„My name is Silke, I am 55 years old and have 2 wonderful grown-up sons, with whom I have always traveled a lot and still do today. I live and work near the Müritz, love nature and am an enthusiastic kayaker and cyclist. I was rarely ill, always curious and open to new things and on the move. In 2022, I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma, fortunately still at a very early stage, so that an operation was sufficient.
The wounds healed well and quickly and the physical limitations were temporary. Coping with the fear of further foci was more difficult. Since the death of both my mother and my aunt from pancreatic cancer, I know that I also have a genetic predisposition to various cancers. Not letting the fear of this gain the upper hand was a more difficult task than healing the wounds.
For me, epigenetics is at least as important as genetics and the longer I study it, the more important it becomes. I am convinced that the way we spend our lives has a huge influence on our health. What we eat and drink, how active we are, how often we laugh, how well we find a balance between activity and rest, how well we do ourselves and others good :-). I have always worked a lot and, as a child and adolescent psychiatrist and psychotherapist, I have enjoyed looking after my patients and their families. After taking a break to reflect, I’m enjoying working again, but not as much as I used to, so that I have time for myself, my family and friends and can fulfill dreams that can’t wait until I retire.
I met Jürgen during my rehab and found out about his plan to discover Iceland by bike in 2025. There was a twinkle in his eye when he talked about Iceland. His enthusiasm infected me and I was impressed by his indomitable will to realize the project. As a person affected by cancer, the cards are suddenly reshuffled, priorities shift and there is no time for later. This is actually true for everyone and yet many things are often put off. There was a wise man in rehab who taught us to distinguish between the important and the urgent. That’s what I try to teach my children, alongside the goal of being good people.
Unfortunately, my mother and my aunt didn’t have much time left after they were diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It’s such an insidious disease that is often discovered too late. I am very glad that Jürgen was able to stand up to it! He didn’t have to ask me for long to accompany him on his journey. I share his idea of using this journey to encourage other people to “set off” despite their illness.
Since we started planning the project, I’ve experienced how much strength the days bring, how much joy and positive energy the preparation brings. Iceland – an island of violence, beautiful and rugged, which will demand a lot from us on our bikes. Many who heard about our tour have expressed concerns: storms, rain, mountains, barren landscapes, no cycling country, no supermarket in the east… And yet… motivation and the hope of fulfilling one’s dreams are so strengthening and contribute significantly to recovery.
I’m in! We won’t let anyone take our lives away from us and we welcome everyone who wants to support and accompany us.“
Dr. Hans-Ulrich Pielow
Teacher, Iceland tour guide, and geologist
„At this year’s Easter bonfire, Jürgen approached me — we hadn’t met before — and told me about his planned trip to Iceland. He had heard that I was a fairly experienced Iceland tour guide and asked whether I could imagine contributing to his project in some way.
Jürgen is someone with great powers of persuasion and contagious enthusiasm. What began as a modest offer to share a few insights about Iceland quickly turned into an unexpected invitation to join the entire journey. And now here I am, in Hirtshals in northern Jutland, just hours before the ferry to Iceland departs. I’m absolutely thrilled.
My connection to Iceland began 37 years ago, during my geology studies in Göttingen, with the legendary field trip. Our bus driver at the time — we only ever knew him as “Diddi” — told us young students that there were only two kinds of people who visit Iceland: those who return home hating it with a passion, and those who fall hopelessly in love. He warned us: if you return a second time and still feel enchanted, you’re under Iceland’s spell for life — and you’ll keep coming back. I can confirm: he was right.
To give in to this longing for Iceland, I became a tour guide myself 25 years ago. Since then, I’ve traveled around the island at least once every year — and I’m happy to contribute my experience to this journey.
When I’m not off chasing Icelandic horizons, I work as a geography and chemistry teacher at the Waldorf School in Lübeck. I can explain the climate and the volcanoes — but I still haven’t mastered dancing my name.“