EP1 - European Divide Trail | A 7700 Kilometer Bikepacking Adventure (Norway and Finland)

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Thank you all for your positive feedback! I never anticipated this amount of attention. I’m truly overwhelmed; just wanted to give something back to the community. Hope that it helps in the preparations of others. See the playlist for the next episodes. Enjoy!

[@toonseten]

Great vlog guys. Hope many people will get this in their recommendations from KZbin.

[@sbqp3]

I like how you stopped and took a photo of the sign that said no stopping and no photographs :)

[@TobiasHägi]

Amazing documentation - wonderfull pictures. We met on our way on the EDT last summer just before Kabdalis, Sweden and had our Lunch together :-) Its so nice for me to see all the ways though sweden I passed, too! I was though then a bit more lucky with the weather then you... I am looking forward to see the next parts. I made it finally till Silkeborg Denmark and will continue my way this year :-) All the best to you - enjoy these unforgettable memories...!

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Hi Tobias! That’s funny. Great to hear from you again! We where wondering how far you’ve made it. Glad you enjoyed the trip so far. All the best.

[@Rafael-vu2xn]

Hey what an adventure! Thanks for letting us on the trip too :))

[@SimonBorneman]

super om te zien hoe jullie elke dag door gaan met bikepacking avontuur

[@IoanSaid]

Hello from Mastodon! Looking forward to episode 2!

[@sangriastudios]

Great video. I know how time consuming this work is, thanks for the effort to document this and share. It will be an inspiration for the bike community. Videos like this inspire me to plan my next bike trip.

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Many thanks, indeed it's a lot of work... Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ronkirk5099]

A very interesting route which allows you to sample several European cultures in addition to some beautiful scenery, but alas, at 74, my long bicycle touring days are over.

[@tonypaddler]

Excellent video, great content and very well put together 👌🚲

[@5kyforger]

Epic adventure! Can't wait for the next ep!

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

@5kyforger: Thanks!! I'm working on the 2nd episode right now. Expect to have it ready during the weekend.

[@wheelsofdream]

Nice adventure guys! Im doing that next summer so i will be watching every episode 👍🏻🙂

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@wheelsofdream]

@@ArcticToAtlantic btw, how did you record your progress on the route? I read that you need to prove that you have actually ridden the route if you want your name on the wall and the batch.

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

@wheelsofdream That is correct. We recorded everything with our bike computers and uploaded it to Strava and Komoot.

[@wheelsofdream]

@ArcticToAtlantic okay, i guess if you navigate with garmin etc and use komoot map all the time then it automatically saves it?

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Yes, saving is default. Automatic export to strava/komoot/etc is an option.

[@ryleyb]

My partner and I met you somewhere near Castro Verde towards the end of your trip. I was towing my sleepy toddler behind the bike :) Looking forward to seeing your videos!

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Yes I remember that! Inspiring trio. Hope you're doing fine and enjoyed your ride in Portugal.

[@KaterOnBike]

Amazing trip! Looking forward to the following episodes of your journey. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@N2L_Never2Late]

Absolutely brilliant video - great editing/narration and overview!! I aspire to this! Hoping to do this in 2026, so this is most welcome as not too many have filmed and covered this route in as approachable detail as this! After cycling across Canada (2022), we are keen to do more off-road riding and this is our next goal! Thank you for putting this together - learning lots!! Looking forward to future episodes! (Oh, and congratulations on this EPIC journey!)

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Go for it! and don't forget to bring your camera ;-)

[@McSlobo]

You don't have to suffer from those pesky mosquitoes. I wrote a comment you should read.

[@N2L_Never2Late]

@@McSlobo Thank you for your suggestions. Yes, when we crossed Canada in 2022 - we used all you suggested and it helped. We had pockets of swarming experiences that were uncomfortable notwithstanding our chemical and clothing efforts. The Nordic region appears to have this on the daily - just trying to find a TIME of year (I've heard August) to start this part to mitigate the ferocity! HA! Thanks again!

[@singingsanja167]

You guys are tough cookies: Gruesome gravel, relentless rain, swarms of mosquitos - and still you are smiling all the time. 💪🥰Inspiring, thank you for sharing, and I'm looking forward to the next episodes. ☺

[@dirkkindermann2734]

Wat er ook op je pad komt, je kunt het aan! 🫶 Nice video, looking forward to the next episode 😊 Never trust the factory lubrication and adjustment of a new hub, hope the bike shop did a good inspection before shipping.

[@lizchilderley154]

Really enjoyed watching this and learnt a lot - thank you both very much for taking us with you. Hope to follow in your wheel tracks...

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Thanks for watching, good luck with the preparations!

[@george.stefanescu99]

Great video mates, thanks for sharing and happy cycling, cheers!

[@ProCookin]

Tyvm guys, epic journey

[@Ghettospoke]

🧡

[@hansschotterradler3772]

Awesome tour. I did the North American equivalent in 1992 when I rode from Los Angeles to Alaska; but I also rode almost back as my tour ended in Oregon instead of all the way back to L.A.

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Sounds like a proper adventure!

[@hansschotterradler3772]

@ArcticToAtlantic yep, and different times. No phones, no decent maps, etc...

[@007bigrob]

Well done guys 👍

[@rolandmd73]

Awesome video! Great shots, perfect editing and good comments. Subscribed and starting to watch the second episode. This summer I'll be biketouring the south of Sweden so I'm curious to see that part of your adventure. Veel dank en respect voor al het werk wat hier in is gaan zitten!

[@billygoodbar]

Video on gear carried? Great video, very inspiring

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Sure, happy to make a video on our gear in the future.

[@leigha6275]

@@ArcticToAtlantic Fantastic videography, writing, narration - thank you for sharing, enjoying every moment. A video on your choice of bikes and components, and your carried gear, would be great for those of us planning our first long-distance trips.

[@ccamire]

Bring a a very good lock for the bikes when crossing Germany, France espcially. We got our bikes stolen. Now i carry a lock and a bike alarm. Good luck

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Sorry to hear that.

[@K1989L]

4:54 Kittilä is in Finland

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

You're right. Missed that. Thanks!

[@juerdtervoort6230]

Waarom is jou engels zo goed Bram? Wouw wat een film, dit kan regelrecht op Discovery Channel! 👌🏼😁

[@Guevara1015]

Cool, I was waiting for someone to film this, I'm considering doing it this year! I have a fat bike and a gravel bike (that I might sell soon), do you think a fat bike would be too much or would it suit this trip? Goed gedaan jongens!

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Dankjewel :-) Everything North of France could be done using a gravel bike. For the southern countries I would recommend a mountainbike with suspension. A fat bike might be a bit too much, especially considering the weight of the bike you have to carry over the mountains.

[@ThePapawhisky]

I’m planning on doing this ride next summer. Super interested in all details. What was the start date?

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

We arrived in Kirkenes on July 1st and started from Grense Jakobselv on July 3rd.

[@McSlobo]

You don't have to suffer from those pesky mosquitoes. I wrote a comment you should read.

[@ThePapawhisky]

I noticed an isobutane stove canister. Did you buy it in a local store in Norway?

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Correct, you're not allowed to bring it on a plane. There is a sportstore just outside Kirkenes.

[@agustinarroyo50]

Great video I would like to know about your tents, Thanh you

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Thanks! The tents are from Decathlon, type MT900.

[@agustinarroyo50]

Thank you very much The EP 3 is also great, waiting for more

[@McSlobo]

You can get rid of those mosquitoes by using repellent. I recommend using one with (p)icaridin, although DEET works also but DEET degrades plastics. Common brands are Johnson Off and Autan. Also, a mosquite hat which has net all around helps a lot. You can get the repellent from everywhere in Nordics and hats from general, outdoor and sports stores but it's easier to order them beforehand. You should also use clothes that are white, green, blue or violet - mosquitoes do not dig those colors.

[@AirwaveMustang]

Have you been to Lapland? The quantity of insects (not just mosquitos) can be insane. You will not get rid of insects by using repellent. As long as you are moving fast enough, it is usually not that bad. When you stop, you will be swarmed by clouds of insects. Strong wind and cold weather help. When camping, ppl wear rainjackets against mosquitos. Hirvikärpänen (deer fly) can crawl in anyway and I mostly found them in my hair. More biting insects: Midges, sand flies, black flies. Paarma (horse fly) will often ‘target lock’ you and stay with you (even after you hide 30 sec under water). Paarma is best killed by letting it land on you, and then hit it with your hand. Paarma is slow to react to a hand so you kill it easily that way.

[@Zombie_YT]

Great video. I enjoyed it verry much. Can you please advise what model of saddle/s and what width of tire did you use?

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Thanks! The saddle is a WTB Volt, not sure if I would recommend it. We got used to the saddle during our daily commute. But sure experienced saddle pains during our journey. Tires are the Vittoria Mezcal 29×2.6.

[@Zombie_YT]

@ArcticToAtlantic thank you for your answer.

[@bedoubt]

not a fan of just narrative, it lacks dimensions that way. But looks like a nice trip.

[@Mikedi52]

Great video! are you riding Salsa bikes? I can't tell from the video.

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Thanks! Correct, we both ride a Salsa Fargo ('22).

[@Mikedi52]

@@ArcticToAtlantic Your riding position seems to be very comfortable and upright which is what I'm looking for. Old neck injury is bothersome.

[@mrsporty9669]

Grense Jakobs Elv. Peaceful Norwegian - Russian border.

[@dermotsheehan8614]

Never spray water near your wheel hub bearings, or crank bearings

[@owendavies4086]

modern seals are really good at preventing water ingress. There's a GCN video where they test this with a pressure hose at very close range.

[@KhurshidsChannel]

Your video was truly beautiful and inspiring. As a fellow creator, I appreciate the effort you put into it. Sub and 👍606

[@ArcticToAtlantic]

Wow, thank you!

[@vincentb893]

The music is not necessary for a nature video.

[@ronwhite8503]

Decent music might have helped.