Anders Melsen quits flat to cycle around Jutland’s brown pubs

Anders Melsen has given up his flat to cycle 3,000 kilometres around Jutland and visit its local brown pubs, DR reports. The 28-year-old is on day nine of the journey and has so far visited 16 pubs in southern Jutland.

He says the project combines his love of cycling, beer and pubs while giving him a break from everyday life.

“I don’t like being in the hamster wheel for too long, and I get this rush of freedom when I cycle,” Melsen says. “A feeling that there is nothing to worry about. I also love beer and pubs, and thought it was a damn good idea to combine the two.”

Melsen also hopes to draw attention to what local pubs can offer. He describes them as small communities where regulars support one another and help people who are struggling.

“I think we should hold on to them,” he says.

He says he always feels welcome in the pubs, where people sit at the bar and quickly find someone to talk to. As part of the journey, he has also become a kind of pub reviewer.

For Melsen, a pub should have at least one part of what he calls the “holy trinity”: darts, a pool table or gaming machines.

His journey is being documented on his Instagram profile, Værtshusrytteren, which has more than 10,000 followers. Asked whether his posts could promote unhealthy drinking, Melsen says he usually has only one or two drinks at each stop.

He acknowledges that the mission is not the healthiest, but says some people visit pubs simply to have one drink after work. Some days he visits several pubs, while on others he visits only one. He also plans to add more days off as the trip continues.

Melsen says he is not worried about having quit his flat. If things go badly, he can return to his parents in Ebeltoft, although they are somewhat concerned that he could become an alcoholic.

“I have to cycle farther than I have ever tried before. If I succeed, it is something I can be proud of,” he says.