I Found Ryan Van Duzer in the Swedish forest, and joined him on a bikepacking adventure

I met up with Ryan Van Duzer in the middle of nowhere in Swedish Lapland and joined him for a bikepacking trip along the European Divide Trail. In this first episode we try to get as far away from the nasty mosquitoes as posible and end up doing a long day before we reach our end goal of the day, Lycksele.
Bike:
Kona Unit X
Bike Bags:
Ortlieb Handlebar Pack 15L
Ortlieb Frame Pack 6L
Ortlieb Seat Pack 16,5L
Clothes:
Adidas Adilette Flip Flops - amzn.to/40eKFyQ
Haglöfs Scree Rain Pant
Haglöfs Esker Rain Jacket
Craft Velo Convert Jacket
Amazon Basics 4 Piece Packing Travel Organizer Cubes Set - amzn.to/3Rfd3wF
Forclaz Merino Wool T-Shirt
Nike Mens Dri-FIT Short Sleeve Polo Shirt - amzn.to/3j2aq1w
Padded MTB Shorts
Helly-Hansen Men's LIFA Merino Crew - amzn.to/2YJ5bfQ
Helly-Hansen Men’s Merino Pant - amzn.to/3RhYZm9
Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants - amzn.to/3jalGfE
2 Pair of Socks amzn.to/40dU4H6
Merino Underwear - amzn.to/3XRU9hZ
Merino Wool Buff - amzn.to/409sYkd
Merino Wool Beanie
Giro Fixture Mips Helmet - amzn.to/3XKHsoZ
Science In Sport Water Bottle - amzn.to/3WLLsV9
Northwave Cycling Shoes
Sunglasses
Cooking Gear:
Primus Ets Express Stove + Cookset
2 Primus Gas Canisters (230g)
Sea To Summit X Mug - amzn.to/3Hg7GJ1
Light My Fire Spork - amzn.to/3Dncn2J
Thermacell Backpacker
Tools:
Lezyne HV Bicycle Hand Pump - amzn.to/3lHxnJc
Park Tool VP-1Vulcanizing Patch Kit - amzn.to/409NhOC
Crankbrothers M19 Multi-Tool - amzn.to/3j0A86D
Squirt Long Lasting Dry Lube - amzn.to/3iWqYIf
CTC Plastic Bag + packaging
Inner Tube - amzn.to/3Dq1oFP
Bike Lock - amzn.to/3HHcWqs
Toiletries:
Toothbrush
Toothpaste
Shaving Gel
Mach 3 Razor - amzn.to/3j2bYsm
Contact Lens Case
Travel Schampoo bottle
Camping Equipment:
Naturehike Cloud Up 2 Tent - amzn.to/3aA1MTp
Sea To Summit Collapsible Backpack - amzn.to/3RvanLP
Aegismax UL Down Sleeping Bag - amzn.to/3BVCStv
Aegismax Nano 2 Ultralight Sleeping Bag - amzn.to/3RcZcqR
Sea To Summit Reactor Insulated Sleeping Bag Liner - amzn.to/409RLVs
Nemo Tensor Insulated Sleeping Pad - amzn.to/3Y98qGC
Nabaji Microfibre Towel L - amzn.to/3Y3KDbh
Electronics
Samsung S20 - amzn.to/3Y544jR
Dji Mavic Pro Drone - amzn.to/3FKsVBk
GoPro Hero7 Black - amzn.to/3JoetTC
Canon G7X Mark II - amzn.to/3XO7lnY
Zoom H1N Recorder - amzn.to/409ewZA
Rode Smartlav+ Lavalier - amzn.to/3RcZcqR
2 Anker PowerCore 20000 mAh - amzn.to/3JpPxvg
Bag Of Cables and Extra Batteries
DISCLAIMER: This description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for your support!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Watch Ryan's video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3bNomxspKeljqM

[@TheAngloAfrican]

The collab we didn't know we needed! My two favourite, wholesome cycling dudes on an adventure together. Loved it.

[@BikeTouringMike]

Haha! Well, it's a long time coming. Finally we pulled it off!

[@duzer]

Mike!!!! Now it's your turn to come to Colorado!!!

[@BikeTouringMike]

I'd love to. This year is pretty much booked solid, I'm sure I'll be able to find some time next year.

[@karthikchinnaiah]

I'm here from Ryan's channel and it's so nice to find your channel Mike! You guys are amazing! Your videos are rich in content and great visuals. Have a great ride you both! Cheers!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thank you for your kind words! And welcome to the channel!

[@davidreadbikes]

So glad you are cycling with Ryan! And we LOVED your northern Norway trip!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thank you David!

[@DancingMachine1]

I like your videos especially because you are so calm and relaxed. Ryan is quite the opposite, which makes for a interesting combination :D

[@BikeTouringMike]

Yin and Yang!

[@michaelganshirt8795]

I have been following Ryan for a while now and it's fun to see him from this perspective. I'm happy to be following you now as well.

[@BikeTouringMike]

Welcome to my channel!

[@TravelRunner]

Hi Mike! I found your channel from watching Ryan's. Great work! I enjoy your filming style. Thanks for sharing this experience!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Welcome to the channel! Glad you enjoyed following along.

[@resurgem]

Just zoomed straight over from Ryan's latest video. Your style is so calm and measured next to Ryan's high octane energy. Two different styles, both really good to watch.

[@BikeTouringMike]

That's why they call me Mellow Mike ;-) Well, maybe it's because english is not my native language is the reason why I'm not articulate as Ryan, who by the way is an awesome storyteller. Hope to pick up some of his storytelling skills.

[@resurgem]

@BikeTouringMike your English is excellent! Both you have excellent language skills, me, I'm struggling to learn español.

[@rickh4310]

Good stuff Mike! It’s nice you and Ryan could hook up. Just subscribed by the way.

[@hemaccabe4292]

Thanks for looking after Ryan!

[@user-vs7yb8kx2s]

Sir I found your channel by watching Ryan Van Duzer's video. From Philippines

[@BikeTouringMike]

Welcome to the channel!

[@mauritzallberg7302]

Lovely see you together..watch you both...i wait for the vlog to north cape..come on...to long

[@BikeTouringMike]

Sorry about that. It's coming after these episodes with Ryan. I want to release them simultaneously with his videos.

[@Cycle2life]

I’m here from Ryan’s channel also… I agree great content and so happy I found your channel! Safe travels!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Welcome to my channel! I'm so glad to hear that.

[@stephenmarotti5309]

Nice one, Mike. Fun to see things we don’t usually see on Ryan’s channel like his drone taking off. Your country is beautiful. I hope to visit and bike it some day.

[@BikeTouringMike]

Glad to be able to provide an extra dimension :-)

[@willowwatts]

Just watched Ryan's video and now enjoying yours . Legends.❤

[@BikeTouringMike]

Sunday's double-feature!

[@resurgem]

Me too!

[@dannyroberts5056]

Been watching your videos for some time now. They just keep getting better. Thank you for sharing your country with us. Such a beautiful and clean place. Keep up the great content Mike.

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thank you Danny. Great to hear!

[@harrygrimley4352]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing this with us. Ryans knee pain probably can be cured with stretching.

[@BikeTouringMike]

There were a lot of stretching going on during the next couple of days.

[@harrygrimley4352]

I bet. Thanks for sharing your video with us. Beautiful country.

[@briantruck2284]

From Ryan channel Looks amazing Hello from South Texas extreme heat & no rain

[@edlaws6867]

Hej Mike, I’ve been watching on Ryan’s channel and loving these videos. I bet you’ll get loads more subs from this. Making friends on the road is a wonderful thing. Love to the family and the understanding wife 😂, Ed

[@BikeTouringMike]

Haha, the understanding wife is wondering why I'm inside editing the next video when it's a glorious day outside. Great to hear from you Ed!

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

Wonderful scenery. The reindeer scene brings back memories ... crazy animals.

[@RUN_RGB]

Ryan sent me ;) Good job!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thank you! Welcome to my channel!

[@johnb5482]

Good stuff here...honest and objective.

[@BikeTouringMike]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@hemaccabe4292]

I love that you’re giving us a little behind the scenes insight into Ryan making videos.

[@hemaccabe4292]

Sweden is really beautiful.

[@m4d3y3m00dy]

What beautiful places! Greetings from Torino, IT, EU 😊

[@av1atrx]

I’m also here because of Duzer, and I’m so happy to find you! I’m of Swedish heritage and have dreamed of cycling Sweden, so these videos are really special for me. I do have a question. You said you like riding way up north. How do you combat the myggor?!? They looked so awful on Ryan’s videos. Looking forward to working through your videos!

[@BikeTouringMike]

First of all, welcome to the channel! Regarding the mosquitoes, I guess growing up with having to deal with them means you get used to them, and learn how to live with them. They don't really bother me that bad. I guess for someone (like Ryan) coming from an environment where you never have to deal with them, it's quite different. Plus now in August there are hardly any mosquitoes around. We were in peak mosquito season when this was filmed.

[@Danrpro]

Hi Mike! I also found your channel from watching Ryan's 😅 You have an amazing channel thank you so much for sharing!!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thank you Dan! Glad you enjoy the videos.

[@abuluftmensch7624]

I also came to this video through Ryan's. This is great content! It's informative and entertaining and Im looking forward to exploring this channel more. Thanks, Mikael!

[@markday1714]

i do enjoy your content! thanks

[@chrisbailey2861]

New subscriber here.... yes, I 'found' you through Ryan's channel but started to look back at your previous videos and I'm hooked. 😊 Thanks for taking the effort to put this all together and thanks for bringing us along!!!!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Welcome to the channel Chris!

[@briantruck2284]

Safe travels ✌️

[@Na_Poludnie]

I watch both chanels for a while, and must say it gave me some inspiration to get out there. It's priceless to see you both in the same episode

[@BikeTouringMike]

Glad to be able to provide you with some inspiration.

[@PumpkinVillage]

Another well done video. Nice balance of riding, education and nature. The herd of reindeer was an added bonus. Thanks for the video and take care, Al

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thank you for always writing such nice comments Al!

[@jjthiessen5631]

The opening sequence was awesome! Fun to watch the ride from both yours and Ryan's point of view.

[@BikeTouringMike]

Glad you enjoyed it. Yeah it's fun watching the same story from two perspectives isn't it?

[@Rlaplante73]

Another great video. You do an amazing job capturing your bike touring adventures...so enjoyable to watch. It was a treat to meet up with Ryan too. Blessings!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thank you! Glad I was able to introduce Ryan if you hadn't been watching him before.

[@WheelsonaBike]

A spontaneous adventure is the best adventure! So amazing to see you both in this video.

[@BikeTouringMike]

I can only agree. Thank you Agnieszka!

[@upwastoid]

Lol funny to see Ryan from the 4th wall. Good stuff tho.

[@BikeTouringMike]

Let's break the 4th wall ;-)

[@JohnMacs-dz5iy]

RIDE SAFE BROTHERS 👍

[@katherinefisher6847]

At 12:21 did you mention IKEA? How is it pronounced in Sweden? I'm a Duzer follower and am now enjoying your videos. It's wonderful to have a local person narrating. Your English is great and I enjoy your wry humor. You look like one of my brothers. Keep up the good work!... from Iowa

[@BabarKhan-ip4bz]

Hi Mike Nice to see your video on this Sunday and on another I watched Ryan video also your style is simple and effective tell us how you feel this journey and have you experienced priority 600

[@BikeTouringMike]

No, unfortunately I forgot to do that. Hopefully I'll get to do that in the future at some time.

[@aureycorreia]

Your videos really capture the relaxing feeling i get while biking! Thanks!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thanks! That's what I'm aiming for.

[@chrislonsberry1974]

Great to see you again! How cool two guys I follow on KZbin are riding together. Enjoyed the video very much!

[@BikeTouringMike]

"World's collide!" - Kramer from Seinfeld ;-) Glad you liked the video

[@cdmiller51]

I just realized that this is your video of Duzer's (and your) bike ride! It's fun to watch the different points of view! Also, I see you are still using the Naturehike Cloud Up 2 tent. Because of your reviews, it's at the top of my list of possible bike touring tents. Thanks!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Still going strong. I think I've had it for 6 years now. Must have spent almost a hundred nights in it.

[@kizzmitten1]

I as well have jumped over from Ryans channel to check out your Swedish stuff Mike! Looks great man, have fun with Crash/Wamm/Flat Ryan!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thank you! And welcome to my channel.

[@mariocouture1596]

Love it, love every minute of it! Thank you!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Glad you enjoyed following along!

[@RoadyPacking-CyclingAdventures]

I would loved to have been a fly on your handlebars, some of the conversations you guys must have had are probably un-airable haha!! It's interesting seeing two different perspectives of the same landscape from two very different people!!

[@rabh6746]

Loved your video Mike, another Ryan fan here and when I have time I will check out your channel👍You have another new subscriber, I'm a road cyclist from Scotland😊

[@BikeTouringMike]

Welcome to the channel!

[@ningenneko-coversong]

Great journey you had!! Amazing view 8:40 😊 You have nice friend to have adventures together 😊 +1🎁🤝

[@user-ed4md8ms5b]

Wonderful adventure. Your channel has inspired me so much. I can't wait to bike tour Iceland this coming September.

[@BikeTouringMike]

Oh, wow Iceland. I hope to go there one day.

[@haentz]

Love the videos! Any advice on when to go or how far north to mostly avoid mosquitos?

[@BikeTouringMike]

I'll do a video about how to avoid the mosquitoes after my videos with Ryan have been relesed. But in general, the more north and the more west toward the mountains you go, the more mosquitoes you're going to encounter. Along the east coast and in southern Sweden it's not nearly as bad. And like I mentioned in Ryan's video, this was peak mosquito season (late June-early July). He was really at the wrong place at the wrong time. Now in late August all the mosquitoes have disappeared. At least around here (along the eastern coast).

[@DK5ONV]

RYAN R O C K S 💯🎸🎙🤘

[@BikeTouringMike]

Well, he lives in Boulder. So of course he rocks! ;-)

[@AlanJohnsonSunbird]

Great video Mike and amazing scenery. I found your channel a few weeks ago and am gradually watching many of your productions. I’m newer to cycling and am considering a new bike. What bikes do you ride both for touring as well as bike packing? Thanks

[@BikeTouringMike]

Glad you found my channel. I'm riding a Kona Sutra for my paved adventures, and a Kona Unit X when I go more on gravel trails. But my tip for people starting out is to try going out for an overnight trip with the bike you already got. You're going to learn so much about what type to get fro that trip. I didn't get my touring bike until i was a couple of years into bike touring. By then I knew exactly what I needed and which size to get. It takes some trail and error to get there.

[@AlanJohnsonSunbird]

@@BikeTouringMike excellent advice and I thank you so much for the tips. Keep up the good work on your channel. I’m truly enjoying your videos.

[@bengt_axle]

Hej Mikael! I've been following your channel since your trip with BTP and Linea. It is great to see you with Ryan on a bike packing trip. Was this really a chance encounter or did you plan to meet and ride together.

[@BikeTouringMike]

I have to be honest here. We actually started talking about making this trip last year, but then Ryan's flight got cancelled and we had to postpone. But luckily we were able to get together and ride for a few days this summer instead. What people don't know is that a lot of planning goes into a trip like this. It's super difficult to predict where you're going to be at a certain time. Just look at Ryan's first couple of days. I think he made around 160 km per days on day 1 & 2, and then just over 50 km on day 3. Plus my bus options were pretty limited. So I was really pleased to see all the logistaical puzzle pieces fit together.

[@IowaNinersFan]

@@BikeTouringMike It doesn't help that Ryan's all over the place on his adventures. I finally got to meet Ryan on RAGBRAI last month. Wish I had the time, money and drive to be on these adventures like you two. Glad your plans finally worked out. Love the videos.

[@jagdishgadhiya8126]

👏👏👏

[@dustysadventures]

Sweden is beautiful!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Glad to be able to show that there's not only mosquitoes over here ;-)

[@dustysadventures]

@@BikeTouringMike much more than mosquitoes! Beautiful scenery and wildlife. It was cool seeing reindeer trotting down the road

[@RusVolvo]

Привет друг. У меня вопрос, если Вы на велосипеде путешествуете на огромные расстояния, то почему Вы не используете трёхколёсный велосипед - трайк. На нём удобно по-долгу сидеть и можно больше взять с собой различного туристического оборудования, оборудования для видео съёмки и больше посуды. Будь здоров!

[@larskallin4969]

Mike , I was watching your videos and in one video with Ryan, you were saying that I can find old houses for $10k? Where can I find them in Västerbotten, Jämtland or Ångermanland? I love watching your videos!!!

[@Sekhmet6697]

Hi Mike, I found your channel thanks to Ryan’s videos and was curious about the allemansrätten in Sweden: does it also apply to national parks, and UNESCO “world heritage” protected areas?

[@BikeTouringMike]

It also applies to national parks and nature reserves, but each entity can have it own set of rules, so it's best to study those upon entering a national park for instance. In general I would say that you're only allowed to camp at certain places, and ride your bike on marked trails, but it differs from place to place. But you don't need a permit or anything like that. I will make a video about Allemansrätten and the free shelters here in Sweden after my videos with Ryan have been released. So stick around for that and you'll get all the information you're going to need.

[@Sekhmet6697]

@@BikeTouringMike That would be awesome, thanks!

[@tonysegadelli9421]

Did you arrange to meet up with Ryan or was it by chance? It's fun to share adventures

[@BikeTouringMike]

We had talked for a while about meeting up, but then Ryan's trip was canceled last minute last year. So I'm glad we got to do it this year around instead.

[@mcm4point2o]

Ole!!

[@BikeTouringMike]

Ole, ole!

[@alkoop100]

No Bears in there ?　🧸🐻

[@BikeTouringMike]

Haven't seen a single one, ever...

[@easternbushytail]

Now if you added Darren Alff, that would be a great touring group.

[@BikeTouringMike]

Yeah, that would be great to see how Ryan and Darren would interact with each other. I've toured with Darren a couple of years ago as well. He's a great guy. But they have quite different personalities.

[@SaeedAmiriCGI]

are you using an old Gopro? I like the colors and the mood of your video more.

[@BikeTouringMike]

I have an old Gopro, but I didn't use that one to film this. I used a Canon G7X Mark II to filmthis trip

[@SaeedAmiriCGI]

@@BikeTouringMike it has a filmic look to it. unlike the most of the KZbin vids it does not have that super sharp clinical look which is nice imo.

[@greg_loper]

Be careful, 10,000 lakes is copyrighted by Minnesota 😜

[@BikeTouringMike]

Haha. Better watch out then. I was probably underestimating by a lot. Just the municipality of Arjeplog alone has 8727 lakes, so in total it's probably around 50 000.

[@MarkBrigham]

Maybe call it Land o’ Lakes

[@gordonmculloch4904]

👍

[@BikeTouringMike]

Thanks!

[@bui340]

Hopefully 😂

[@BikeTouringMike]

We did have a great time ;-)

[@kelvingrover905]

Where’s the women at do they all stay home and change diapers ?

[@BikeTouringMike]

I'm all for more women in bikepacking. My wife has joined me on a couple of trips before. And Ryan has done a couple of trips with his girlfriend as well. But they decided to stay at home this time around.