The Mosquitos are INSANE-Bikepacking the Length of Sweden! Episode 2

[@duzer]

How bout them skeeters?? I’m never going back to northern Sweden 😂😂

[@Motive9366]

You could go back in winter though!

[@kelly92109]

That did noooot look enjoyable 😅

[@1helluvawomen]

Why didn’t bust out your skeeters net??🤣🤣

[@daveg8212]

Ryan, why not ride with a bug net head covering?

[@dumbhuman442]

They attacked you because you're clearly an outsider. Have you not seen The Hills Have Eyes? If you settled in northern Sweden, I'm sure the bugs would accept you. You stink of Colorado...mosquitoes love that shit.

[@sgeorge3167]

I would wear a full mosquito net outfit and not even give a crap how I looked....Great series.

[@TheWorldsNumberOneFan]

The main thing that I love about you Ryan is that no matter what situation your in, you always find the positive side of things.

[@duzer]

I certainly try my hardest to look at the bright side of things

[@davidlittle7182]

I saw dynamos on bikes in the 80s in Scotland, but you're right, all the traditional Swedish bikes have them

[@ArthurFellig]

I remember hearing someone say: "mosquitos defend the forests." They are miserable, but their mission is noble.

[@elephantjournal]

aw love that!

[@theordinaryathlete]

Just watching all the Sweden videos back to back. Man those mossies were making me itch!

[@duzer]

They’re still making me itch, many months later 😂😂

[@Manji95]

Swede here who come across your channel. The series so far has been great and I'll be sure to follow through it all. Love the content!

[@oscarpicon7164]

Ryan, you always find a positive thing to say no matter where you are. Your words create a ripple effect that we all carry with us when we ride. Thank you!

[@Windingify]

Respect! My man Ryan; being a native Dane, living next to Sweden, we NEVER go to that region of our neighbor's country, for that exact reason; the mosquitos! The coastlines are amazing there, but those areas are seriously crazy with big stingers. As always your mood is amazing, even in the worst conditions. Cudos! also loving that you speak the native language; you´d even do great here in Denmark with that. 🙏🏻

[@duzer]

I love Denmark!! When I lived in Malmö, I’d take the boat across to Copenhagen all the time. Tivoli is so magical

[@BikeTouringMike]

Fun fact: There's actually a Mosquito World Championship held annually in that area, go figure ;-). Whoever catches and kills the most mosquitoes is becomes the world champion. The winner usually catches around 150 moqsuitoes and gets a price check of 10 000 SEK.

[@duzer]

Oh man, sign me up!! 😂😂 I’m a peace loving vegetarian, but mosquitoes get NO MERCY!!

[@RottenlyMoodyChild]

Ryan has killed 5000 since he arrived 😂 honorary world champion trophy is in order 🎉🏆

[@TheAbandonedAccount7]

price check on aisle mosquito

[@co6mo]

How can they count the catches?

[@Merecir]

@@co6mo Don't smack them so hard that you smear them, then you can drop them in a pile.

[@petemainacc]

So nice that you brought a bit of joy to the restaurant owner.

[@RecapturingLife]

When I was riding in alaske that mosquito net stayed on my head the entire time. I stayed covered even when it was hot. I was already slow so I just needed to make sure it wasn't to rough. I love the series!

[@matsmorot]

Very wholesome! Actually, I don't think we've had this much rain in the summer since '97-98. Sorry that you had to experience them both! Summers here are usually quite nice. Greetings from Skåne!

[@duzer]

Heja Skåne!!

[@BrandonNevermind]

As someone in the rainy pacific northwest, I highly recommend one of the big agnes tents that you can set the rain fly up for first, then build the tent inside it - it's so much nicer to do in the rain! Something like the copper spur bikepack series.

[@duzer]

That’s a nice feature

[@weshoover986]

Ryan, your videos are a special thing in this world. Whenever I'm feeling hemmed in and overwhelmed by the 9-5 grind, not to mention politics, your adventures ground me and somehow make me feel more connected to the world. Thank you for bringing the wide, wild world to our eyes!

[@derekdelboy]

Those mosquitoes were insane. Surprised you didn't break out the head net.

[@bdlii]

Imagine the mosquito situation when he finally breaks out the mosquito net he’s carried for thousands of miles but not used :) Maybe off camera that thing is always on haha.

[@dougfromsoanierana]

YAS. What is he saving it for?

[@mathewrose2951]

Potentially useful stupid hack: your cellphone's touchscreen is picking up your body's electrical signals, If you don't want to carry a stylus to use your phone with cold fingers, you can carry an AAA battery and use its positive terminal like the point of a stylus when your fingers get too cold and wet for the phone to recognize them. As a bonus, you've got AAA batteries for your headlamp and what not. It's making use of something you're probably traveling with anyway.

[@kellyfromiowa1849]

Man, can you imagine doing that ride on anything other than a mountain bike? The mud looked like a killer. Love your positive attitude even in the face of death by mosquitos!

[@onemorecyclist]

The wee Scottish midge beasties have serious competition it seams! Another fine series. Happy cycling!

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

I cannot thank you enough Ryan. My grandparents were from Sweden and I have never seen the North like this. Were it not for the skeeters I would certainly go for a visit. Perhaps someday I will see the lower latitudes. Thanks again.

[@Lion_McLionhead]

The lion kingdom waits for all the parts of a Duze adventure to be uploaded & then watches them all.

[@duzer]

Sounds like a good plan!

[@jonasbjork]

Tack för att vi får följa med på ditt äventyr! Ser fram emot nästa avsnitt!

[@duzer]

Tack så jättemycket!!

[@rachelbeverleyburton-ix8dy]

My mum, born and raised in Wales, used to tell us when we complained about doing outdoor activities in the rain “skin is waterproof!”

[@HazMat1012]

I love the couple that gave you water.

[@bjornbeng]

As a Swede, it pains me to see you struggling with mosquitos, bad weather, lousy roads and drab surroundings. Not very good publicity for Sweden, either. We often do have nice summers with plenty of sunny days (some years not so much, though…). Unfortunately, the mosquitos come out around Midsumer, especially in the north. If you had started two weeks earlier, you might have had a very different experience. Hopefully you will enjoy the south, at least. As you know, Sweden is extremely stretched out, from north to south (about 2300 km / 1500 miles). I am so impressed with your ability to keep positive. And with your overall stamina, of course. Looking forward to many more inspiring adventures.

[@cyclistefroisse9267]

Ryan’s choice of lousy roads is deliberate, he chose to follow the European Divide Trail. So would I, incidentally, riding on tarmac is boring.

[@VagabondTurtle]

Your Swedish is very good 😊 great to see you enjoying yourself on the Eurovelo road and of course the Swedish countryside 😊

[@kimkranz9764]

You are so blessed with your gift for languages!

[@arlenegariepy8957]

You were the mosquitos midsomer feast. LOL What's a Duzer video without a really good sufferfest anyway they encouraged and cheered you on. Loved it!

[@JordanVegBike]

Love that Midsommar movie, definitely a great family friendly flic.

[@JeremyLawrence-imajez]

😄

[@scraige3232]

Commuting to work everyday during the winter in the Northwest of England ...thankfully minus the mosquitoes :)

[@helensingh506]

My favorite thing that you do. Is when you give thanks to the spot you slept on. ❤ It's something I been doing silently all my life.

[@CTB2580]

I like what you said about making the next right decision. That’s how I stay sober. Excited to see your RAGBRAI episodes. I rode from Ames to coralville. It was the most challenging one I’ve done yet!

[@philkarn0]

Ryan, I won't be missing these, looking forward to the rest of this new series. Singing in the rain made me lol

[@Route3ARevisited]

Mosquitoes even in the rain! Must be a special breed. When I was in Saskatchewan (Canada), there were black flies that would still swarm me even in a brisk wind. Must be many special breeds of bugs that know how to survive and attack even in foul weather. Thanks for the patience and endurance to bring us your video.

[@chuckdixon9167]

Ryan, you are a bad ass!! These videos of Sweden are freaking awesome!! You really connect with your audience!! Also, you are freaking hilarious!!! You are a great person!! We have a lot in common. I was an exchange student in Germany from 92 to 93!! Through Rotary!!! If you ever come to Tennessee, you are always welcomed into my house!! Take care and love your videos!! Thank you!!

[@duzer]

Thank you!! I love Tennessee!! Maybe I'll find you down there someday. CHEERS!

[@bertsynaeve9248]

Just found out about your channel and became a fan immediately. Not only the freedom, sporty, bike-packing content - your optimism is incredible. Like your style - please keep up feeding us with this type of videos - cheers, Bert

[@duzer]

Thank you!! I really appreciate your kind words, I do my best to create content that is engaging, but also full of optimism

[@christopherx7428]

9:00 I think that is the Messaure hydro power station, 446MW. In the middle of summer, there was presumably no need to run it, as we use far less electricity in summer than in winter.

[@Rlaplante73]

Really enjoying your videos, very well done. I appreciate your transparency with the highs as well as the challenges of this tour adventure. Those mosquitoes have got to be super aggravating. Thanks for sharing :)

[@duzer]

Much appreciated!

[@manwithabrain]

Bro, growing up in south Louisiana, I feel your pain about the mosquitoes. Take care and keep on keeping on!!!

[@HolisticHikes]

❤Oof! Admiring the persistence in this journey… fog, wet,chilly,dense,and those bugs are gnarly. Great job Ryan!❤

[@persamuelsson8651]

The 3 first episodes of this long ride are my favirites. But im from sweden and i love riding in rain and fog. It helps my astma somehow. Also one of my best memorys with my Dad is fishing i north of the arctic cercle and geting coverd in mosquitos and rain. He passed last year but this video brings me back. 👍 You shuld go the full lenght with bike touring mike on a non mosquito season :)

[@VeloObscura]

Great examples of the wonderful people you can meet while bikepacking or bike touring! .....and of the wildlife & weather you can endure! 😅

[@petedog9581]

Sweden looks just like northern Quebec. Stunning in its own way-- The Tiaga. Black flies and skeeters are relentless, but worth the bother.

[@duzer]

Totally worth it!

[@1helluvawomen]

As a viewer I must say I appreciate the awesome shots of you on your bike driving by 3:53, but I can’t help but to think.. now he has to turn back around and get the camera! The life of a great content creator.❤🚲🌳

[@duzer]

It’s definitely a lot of work…but the shots are amazing

[@swd127]

I am surprised how flat northern Sweden is. We just came back from northern Norway and it is the complete opposite - all mountains and fjords. Instead of mosquitos they have huge horse flies there.

[@martinschwartz7342]

When I was a kid in the 1950s I had those light generators that rub against the tire. They were common back then.

[@adamweb]

Awesome series as usual! I love that you always thank the ground for letting you camp on it 😂

[@a_d_a_m]

dang skeeters! next vid you should make a game of it and do an on-screen counter for each time you mention them :D What was the deal with the Tyre test death thing?? did you ever find out what that was about?

[@TheAbandonedAccount7]

I'm glad the algorithm is pushing these to me bc I didnt wanna sub to a channel just for a specific series, but would like to keep up with this adventure.

[@SuperOlds88]

Between the hard riding, the humidity, sweating in your raingear and swatting at the mosquitoes you can eat a ton of food and stay slim, thats worth something. Do they know what refried beans are over there? you need something for your Lefse.

[@ericramosmd]

Great stuff Ryan, anther great adventure. I genuinely appreciate your work . I imagine that the mosquitoes are celebrating their short summer as well.

[@sleepdeprived9181]

16:00 dynamo hubs are pretty much customary in Japanese commuter bikes. They are great.

[@EarthLaunch]

I'm so grateful for this video, lol. I did backpacking and bikepacking recently and we had a lot of days like this...unpleasant, mosquitos. I kept thinking, Van Duzer wouldn't complain, he'd find ways to enjoy it! And that did help me, so thanks :). But also, it's nice to see I wasn't just being wimpy, even you hate mosquitos! haha

[@kajakmaarten]

Ryan! You make me so happy. You are truly a wonderful and inspirational guy! I love you dude! Thanks for all your happy videos, love it❤

[@wojOttawa]

There was awesome ole ole ole ole attempt. Damn!!! 😂🤣😃

[@benarrowsmith1213]

Loved this video Mr. Van Duzer. You are an inspiration and encouraged me just to complete my first bike packing adventure solo. Life is more fun on a bike.

[@natefeldman5861]

Duzer! You are an international treasure! Love this series and can't wait for more. I climbed Kebnekaise about 10yrs ago and the skeeters were savage. Much love from Minnesota (also a skeeter paradise lol).

[@duzer]

Oooh! I wanna climb that mountain someday!

[@natefeldman5861]

@@duzer it's an epic little trek. Kiruna to Abisko and then hike in. Or, you can take a helicopter lol 👎 They have reindeer burgers at a hut along the way on the trek called "LapDånalds." 🤣Can't wait for Episode 3!! Hope you are well my man!!

[@klarkolofsson]

I’m impressed with your Swedish knowledge but I must say that the majority of those ”summer houses” are people’s main house.

[@robshell5367]

I remember those bike generators from when I was a kid back in the 70s. Schwinns with Banana seats and light generators.

[@duzer]

Those were classic!!

[@harrygrimley4352]

Hey. I spent the weekend mnt biking in central mn. Also known for our mosquitoes 🦟🦟 i swear by deet and citronella candles. Went thru a tunnel and did the ole'. 😅

[@duzer]

Maybe the Ole chant is the secret weapon against mosquitoes

[@kobrapelle]

I do a lot of cycling in sweden and a wear goretex ligt rain gear with long sleeves and long pants, bakalava or buff/hat, gloves och a big fat beard, protects me well

[@chrislonsberry1974]

Great video! Mosquitos, so bad in the North woods of Michigan where I grew up. I can relate! Your language skills are amazing. We all know you speak Spanish fluently but now a third language! Hats off to you Ryan! You're a true communicator!

[@mathiasthelander7834]

The power station you went by looked like Messaure, it´s a really big dam along Stora Lulevattnet. Really gives a good impression of how much hydro power actually affects the environent. Edit. The second one, the one with the beautiful murals are Akkats.

[@duzer]

Thanks for the info!

[@dumbhuman442]

What's great about Ryan is that he reminds me that the past was beautiful. Even if it wasn't ideal, we lived. We are alive. There is always a positive twist we can apply to any moment. We don't have to waste our lives being entertained by violence, controversy, or hatred. Ryan is a beacon of awesomeness. He is the reason at least one person on this planet didn't commit suicide. God bless you, Ryan Van Duzer. I fucking love you.

[@raykleiner3151]

I'm with you on this adventure. Your making the best out of a challenging ride in the mud and rain..........with mosquitos!

[@barryschnoor7300]

You travel to beautiful places. But mostly you bring beauty where you go. Thanks for sharing of your travels and of yourself. Good to see you in Iowa (but that's a future video...)

[@duzer]

Loved seeing you for a brief moment. Hope you had a great week

[@rocbola]

The skeeters are a deal breaker for me. Thanks for bringing us this footage so we all can sit at home and watch you get eaten from the comfort of our easy chairs. 😂😂

[@duzer]

😂😂😂 thanks for enjoying my sufferfest

[@TorstenLif]

And to all those asking about the mosquito net: that only protects the head. Ryan rides with bare legs and those sleeves he wears on his arms will not be any protection. Mosquitoes can and do stick their proboscis through any kind of woven fabric. Even through cycling tights. Believe me. I grew up in the Swedish north. Jeans are just barely thick enough to stop them. Raingear works but can be unbearable to ride in for other obvious reasons. I think he should have worn that bug net over his helmet, like a beekeeper's hat. At camp, on rainfree evenings. With long sleeves and pant legs. And lots of Djungelolja (a local traditional brand of bug repellant).

[@brick_videos]

These videos are great, really enjoying them. At the begginning of the video, your camping spot seemed to be in the middle of one of the forestry roads. The place seems very sparsely populated but maybe be careful. There could be vehicles travelling there occassionally, logging equipment etc. overnight

[@Thricecube57]

I was an exchange student in Sweden in 1999. There weren't many beach days that summer either.

[@duzer]

Bit when it’s sunny…it’s glorious!

[@andershedstrom3048]

Bad planning, going through forest land the worst time of the year... you are not far away from my place. Great work!!!

[@seattlegrrlie]

It's so weird. Sweden looks so much like Washington State. Misty, rainy, pine trees, and wet gravel.

[@michelangeloconrad]

I have been checking every day a couple of times a day for episode two! You got it out just in time for 🌈Sunday Funday! This evening I look forward to bike-packing vicariously through Sweden with you. I plan on a Scandinavian tour soon future, maybe I should do it in winter with a headlamp, though! 😂 Mahalo 🙏🏼 for the video and good vibes:)

[@jep1912]

Don't normally follow cycling channels, but this one got me hooked already.

[@Torsan1977]

Tack för videon! Jag ser fram emot resten. ❤

[@duzer]

Tack så mycket!!

[@andrewwylie9259]

lol, any valley or tunnel I go thru now, I have to shout ole!!

[@unibuzzer]

Most Duzer journeys I am super duper jealous, and hope to enjoy myself one day. This one? Naw, I'm good.

[@achimschmidt4233]

Hahaha wow yeah, Some parts of Europe can get pretty crazy with the skeeters. Glad I did my trip in April/May, it was cold sometimes but not one bite!

[@BabarKhan-ip4bz]

Again the great solo performance 👏

[@Zainenn]

Lovin this series Ryan! I too often think about how we get the things we have, like your apple. Coins are the ones that get me thinking. Whenever I see a coin from 1970-80's I just imagine all the places it's been.

[@duzer]

Oooh, I love thinking about that too

[@joshriles84]

Wow that freeze frame of mosquitoes was wild

[@deceptivelyhonest5784]

@12:37 as some one from Louisiana ive never understood some thing more in my life.

[@frankducett9]

A story very well told. Thank you.

[@Azrael-xl3jl]

The generator for the bike light is called an "dynamo" :)

[@mrdhanstube]

no matter what the situation is Ryan you always smile and you are thankful for almost everything even for your brain......... following your videos for long i guess.......... Love from Nepal.......... Looking forware for your further adventure in Sweden............ Cheers............

[@ITSBIGBOY]

It seems the mosquitoes are giving you a lot of grief Ryan …what a great video

[@duzer]

They were not my friends 😂

[@Halseb]

Hey Ryan, as a Swedish person I have to admit that your Swedish is still very good! Even if you haven't spoken it for quite many years. Loved this epidode and yes - the skeeters are horrible. We Swedes call them MYGGJÄVLAR! Sort of translates to "mosquito bastards" in english haha. You are a great inspiration, looking forward to see the rest of this rainy and muddy adventure through my home country! 👏

[@brick_videos]

What was the "tyre test" warning about?

[@Halseb]

@@brick_videos I'm not 100% sure, but it appears that a major German tyre manufacturer is using this forest road that Ryan cycled on as a test road for possibly their off-road tyres for cars/motorcycles. If you paus the video at 22:18, there you can see a small text at the bottom of the sign saying "Continental Reifen Deutchland GmbH".

[@cyclistefroisse9267]

Scandinavia is a testing lab for the european automotive industry. Michelin test their winter tyre prototypes there.

[@Cycling.in.Romania]

Such an awesome adventure and story Ryan, love it, living the dream 😍safe travels and hope the mosquitos will leave some juice in your body 😅

[@putrid_swamp_juice]

@duzer Is the “Ole-song” something you picked up in Sweden? I remember it from hockey matches here in Norway. I’m currently on my first bike tour and singing the Ole-song in the tunnels helps to keep my mind off the cars whizzing past! 😅

[@duzer]

I picked it up in Mexico, but also heard it a lot in Sweden!

[@roberto5602]

That freight train in 3.55minute,is one of the heaviest in Europe, with around 8 thousand tones of iron ore, connecting Kiruna with lulea. They have a special rail, even strongest that high speed rails, in order to handle the heavy Triana and hard temperatures. For US isn't a big deal this train, but for the European standards yeah for sure Big hug from Portugal. Me and my cousin are waiting for your visit to Portugal :p #cyclingtugas

[@mooreoutdoor9841]

Thanks for bringing us along on this ride. Northern Sweden looks pretty miserable. Hope your whole ride wasn't that rough. But it is those crappy times that makes us tougher and appreciate the good ones more.

[@davidbanks9653]

RVD, Great as always. Thank you.

[@duzer]

Thank YOU!

[@Withycombe1]

So you finishing in Gothenburg with the trail or coming to Malmö? You’re very welcome to Malmö if you need somewhere to stay or see sights … I’m an Australian living just outside of Malmö. Been enjoying your Ragbrai series what a cool event. Thanks for doing/showing the trail - haven’t cycled further north than Dalarna and don’t think I want to battle those mossies. Keep up the good work!

[@billysbikesbrews7183]

A New Co-Star Mosquitoes & Ryan...🤣😂

[@bderris]

15:40. My dad's schwinn varsity had one of those lights.

[@duzer]

Very cool!

[@FrancoisBoucheros]

so happy that I cached that adventure at the beginning. Man you hare a moral and legs in steel! I would love to see how you carry your camera and how you packed for that trip... if there a pause without mosquitoes.... 🔥🔥

[@markc2080]

Mom has to like your book friend! That’s what Moms do!

[@johnkirisits6380]

Very cool. I’ve been waiting for this episode

[@philipwood7673]

Your Swedish is impressive!

[@SuperPate79]

Greetings from Finland. Here comes new finnish word for you, cos everyone should know this. It is PERKELE! Love your vids.