Messengers Pedaling to Lapland for Santa Claus
In early August 2025, a unique bicycle journey began as three postal workers set off from the picturesque German village of St. Nikolaus. Their destination? Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland, a journey spanning nearly 3,000 kilometers.
The cyclists, Simone Nehring, Artur Hajduk, and Ralf Schüttler, are part of the team at the St. Nikolaus post office in Saarland, Germany. This post office receives over 30,000 letters addressed to Santa Claus annually, and the tradition of responding to these letters dates back to 1967.
The trio, often referred to as "elves," are on a mission to deliver these letters and Christmas wish lists to the heart of Santa Claus's home on the Arctic Circle.
Their journey takes them north through Germany, Denmark, and Sweden before reaching Finland, with the trip expected to last about two to three weeks. The postal workers aim to cover approximately 200 to 250 kilometers per day, riding on country roads. Two yellow postal bicycles and one mountain bike, all without electric motors, are their trusty steeds for this adventure.
Saint Nicholas himself saw them off at the start of their journey, handing over letters and a special wish list to the cyclists. This send-off highlights the cultural tradition linking the historical figure Saint Nicholas and the modern Santa Claus, celebrated in various ways across Europe.
The purpose of this journey melds festive tradition, community engagement, and the spirit of Christmas, connecting children's wishes from Germany to the heart of Santa Claus’s home on the Arctic Circle.
A support vehicle carries clothing, tools, and spare parts for the postal workers. The cyclists plan to visit postal branches in Bremen and Hamburg to collect more wish lists. After delivering the wish lists, they plan to continue on to the North Cape, which is another 700 kilometers.
This unique bicycle journey both celebrates longstanding postal volunteerism around Christmas and physically connects festive spirit with the official Santa Claus Village in Finland. The postal workers have formed a friendship and have undertaken other extreme tours before, including a 2024 journey from the Spreewald to Venice.
The Saarland Nikolaus is delighted with his unusual summer assignment, having answered over 33,000 children's letters from around the world during the previous winter. He even has a wish for Santa Claus: "I hope the Christmas man responds to my letter," he says.
This current trip also serves a good cause, with donations being collected for the "Bunter Kreis Hagen" association.
[1] Bremen Post Office Press Release [2] St. Nikolaus Post Office Website [3] Finland's Santa Claus Village Website
- The elves, Simone Nehring, Artur Hajduk, and Ralf Schüttler, are not only on a journey to travel across Europe but also aim to improve their lifestyle by incorporating sports into their daily routine as they ride on country roads for approximately 200 to 250 kilometers per day.
- As part of their unique travel experience, the cyclists, Simone Nehring, Artur Hajduk, and Ralf Schüttler, will be engaging in various sports activities, such as biking, while spreading festive cheer and delivering Christmas wish lists to Santa Claus Village in Finland.
