Rick Zabel sets off to a 600km ride to see Champions League finals and raise money for clean water in Africa

With some extra free time on his hands with his professional career recently over, Rick Zabel picked up his friend and videographer Norbert Szekely and set on for a 600km ride from Germany to United Kingdom for the UEFA Champions League final.

"Let's hit the road! On our way to London, we're on the road, six hundred kilometres and our only plan is there is no plan. Five countries, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France and Great Britain. All freestyle, let's go, we're going to bring you all along," he said.

In the spirit of the early days of the Tour de France, Zabel and Szekely boarded a train to shorten their time on the repetitive Belgian roads. "Nobody would notice if we took the train, right? Let's cheat a bit, nobody is going to notice anyway. Now in Belgium by the canal the whole time, it's so boring anyway," quipped Zabel. "Just before France we get off and then we ride a few more kilometres and then the ferry again."

At the time of writing, Zabel and Szekely have already made it to London, but the duo aren't the only Dortmund fans travelling to the Champions League Final by bike. 

"Access to clean water, sanitary facilities and hygiene - WASH for short - is the basis for children to attend school regularly. Through education, children are given the sustainable opportunity to lead a self-determined life - this creates a real future perspective." A trio of Dortmund supporters was able to raise over €11.000 for the Neven Subotić Foundation. The project aims to create access to clean water in Africa