What’s the plan (Part 1)
This post is a continuation about my preparations for a three month bicycle tour from Norway to Milan. This article covers topics about travel insurance and security when touring.
“How complicated could it be? Buy some gear, jump on a bike, and I’ll be off on my way.”
I’ll admit, I knew nothing, nada about bicycle touring before this trip. Besides a day trip to a nearby town for lunch, I never imagined sleeping, eating, and well… living off a bicycle.
The idea started in 2013 while backpacking through Turkey. A bicycle tourer who had traveled from the U.K. had checked into my hostel. I was quickly sold hearing stories of battling massive headwinds, rain, but also meeting amazing people along the way. Plus, lean and muscular legs seemed like a cool side benefit as well.
It wouldn’t be until 4 years later that I would finally be able to begin planning for this bucket list adventure.
Starting Point During the Summer of 2017, I gave myself a month to acquire gear and plan my route. My date of departure was set for mid July. But where would I end up going?
Scandanavia
While living and working previously in Europe, I had opportunity to visit over a dozen countries. However one region laid outside my grasp, Scandanvia.
Stereotypical images of towering mountains surrounding fjords, along with cold inclimate weather came to mind. Vikings originated from the region, and they were a tough hearty folk for a reason.
The four Scandinavian countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark) consistently ranked among the highest countries for quality of life. And I wanted to bicycle though first hand and found out why.
This is also one of the most expensive regions in the world. Where Norway’s average per capita income exceeds $65,000, and a typical beer will set you back $15. So maybe I wouldn’t become an alcoholic on my trip, but how much could a person really spend when living from their bicycle anyways?
So I decided to begin in the Southwesern city of Ålesund, Norway. I wanted to start at the doorstep to the fjords, then gradually head South to warmer weather over the next three months.
Weather
“If it’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that no one ever travels to Northern Europe for the weather…ever!”
While I lived in Northern Germany, I learned never to leave my apartment without a raincoat, and don’t expect to return with a tan either. Although July was the warmest Summer month to begin, in no way was I going to be lurred into a false sense of security.
One day of Nordic Summer weather could include sunny 70 degree weather, 50 degree biting rain, and everything in between. So I would prepare for anything, yet pack for warmer weather when I finished in Italy. And the next curveball would be to keep the bags within a reasonable limit.
Accommodations
This trip would include a combination of couch surfing, camping, and some hostels mixed in too.
Couchsurfing
For those who aren’t familiar, Couchsurfing connects travelers with hosts for short term accommodations, typically for….a couch. The host gets the opportunity to meet a foreigner, exchange some great stories, and show them around town if there’s time. And everyone leaves happy.
However I’ve noticed 90 percent of the general population can’t wrap their head around the idea of a complete stranger sleeping on their couch. “A stranger? What if they rape, pillage and plunder while I’m sleeping?” While it’s true anything’s possible, there’s an extensive review section online in the traveler’s profile to see if they actually “rape, pillage, and plunder”. And I assure you, 99.9% of them do not.
I’ve met some amazing people through the website, from hosts who took me to a soccer game in Copenhagen, to helping me fix my bicycle in their garage, and many offered their spare set of keys to come and go as I please. No “raping, pillaging or plundering” here and it was a win-win. So this was my first option.
Hostels
It’s funny as you get older, priorities change. When I backpacked through Europe in my early 20s, I always checked into a hostel. They’re full of younger, international people who are in the same situation, no strings attached traveling. Mostly seeing the city during the daytime then partying in the evening.
However I feel like lately I’m getting old. Rooms hosting 6-12 people at night (I once stayed in a 26 person room in Amsterdam), which isn’t too relaxing of environment to sleep in. There’s either “backpacker Bob” who thinks soap is overrated, or “Suzie the snorer” who sounds like a lawnmower when sleeping. And if you avoid those, there’s the partiers who return belligerent, or who think it’s acceptable to pack suitcases at 6AM because they’re “quiet”…not! Plus, keep an eye on valuables otherwise they’ll grow legs and walk away.
Yet hostels allow you to meet an incredibly diverse array of backpackers and nomadic travelers who have unique stories to share. Maybe a bit of human interaction will do me good on this trip. So I wont rule it out. But maybe because I’m quickly approaching my 30s that this isn’t my first choice anymore.
Camping
I’ve only camped a handful of times, but this was the most flexible way to sleep after touring. In my mind, I’d bicycle during the day, pull off the road in the evening, then set up my tent. The next morning I’d pack up and do it all over again.
AllemannsrettIn Northern Europe, people can take advantage of the ancient law called, “allemannsrett” or Everyman’s Right. Anyone is allowed to camp on any piece of public land, for up to two nights, provided they remain 150 meters from a house and farmland. This essentially declares the entire wilderness a legal campground (provided some exceptions) as long the person cleans up after themself.
My wallet would thank me for this incredible concept.
Next part (My Bicycle Tour Plan Part 2)