Yesterday, I sought shelter from the storm Florian in Oselbo, Sweden. It lies in a valley embedding the river Klarälven. It is not a bad place to ride out a storm - it is restful and the people here sure love to chat if given a chance. I rented a small apartment, part of an old farm. My host generously invited me for a glass of whine and shared stories about the history of the house when I asked if I could rent it an extra night to wait out the storm.
When he bought it back in the late 60s, it was initially a collective and they farmed some of the land and had a lot of animals as well. Now, decades later, his son and his grandchildren lives here for the peace and quiet. While we talked, I looked out at the valley while his cat occassionally came for pets. Bike touring isn't only about the long rides, but also about what we do with the unexpected and all the people we meet along the ride. Having had both headwind and rain on and off the last two days while pitching my tent in the wild, resting up in a dry apartment fellt more than welcome. Today, I biked the last 40 km to Torsby, now sitting on the train on my way home after two weeks of bike packing. Looking forwards to get home!


#bikepackers #biketouring #gravelbike #gravelride
#gravelriding

Ser otroligt ut!

Biking up fulufjället (last of the challenging climbs on this trip) to see the Njupeskär waterfall proved worth it! The pictures really don't do it justice. When you get really close you are enclosed by the steep ravine on both sides, looking up towards the fall as it thunders down. I drank a few mouthfulls for good luck before heading back on the trail. This night was not one in a tent, after two rainfalls I gave myself the luxury of drying up in rented cottage for the night. Am very happy to leave the big challenges behind me and spend the last days on this trip in easier terrain 😊

#bikepackers #bikepacking #njupeskär #waterfall #cycling #gravelbike #gravelride

Biked up Nipfjället and was greeted by a reindeer heard 😍 later in the evening, when I had pitched my tent, I could see them grazing just on the other side of a small lake. Worth every drop of sweat ❤️

#biketouring #nipfjället #gravelbike #gravelride #cycling #bikepacking #reindeer #fjällen

@FruAleydis Det tycker jag låter väldigt rimligt! Du har ju kattegattleden precis om knuten som ska vara väldigt fin, en liten del av den kanske?

Winding roads and vast views in Laponia, Sweden. First couple of days of bike touring, and I struggled with the heat. Had to settle for shorter rides, but also got to swim and found good spots for pitching my tent 🥰


#biketouring #cyklandetjejer #Norrbotten #utpåtur

Summer is slowley comming, and the rains from the last few weeks made everything burst into lush green 💚 happy that I got to say hi to the swans as well 😊

#gravelride #gravelbike #cycling

Wow, ser underbart ut!

Last few pictures from this week's bikepacking. The first is a barn, over 100 years old now, along with other pictures from that old farm. Many of the old and small gravelroads on the more desolate country side pass right through the front yard of these old farms - it was the old traditional way of drawing the roads. Unless younger generations or new owners have decided to move the road to the outside of their yard, the roads still pass right through.
One of the pictures is from an old trailer, long abandoned at a crossroads in a forest. The text says "lagan textile industries", and various textile products, like blankets, pillows, etc. I tried to open the doors to have a peek but they were rusted shut. Perhaps just as good.
The last few pictures are from a place called "the stones of Mala", and old viking burial site with several 'stone ships', ie, the old gravestones are placed in a ship pattern. Ashes from the dead and sacrafices and gifts to dead relatives were placed within the stone ships. The ship formation symbolizes the journey between this world and the next, making the place liminal - set between two worlds. The site is beautifully located on a hill, and the ground coverered in blueberrys, white lilys, and heather.
Hope that this summer have many more adventures in stock!

#bikepacking ##gravelride #cyklandetjejer #gravelride #gravelbike #utpåtur #uteärbäst #cykla #cycling

@ravenbait@mastodon.scot my mistake when writing the post to fast- they must have fallen off on one of the bumpier trails. I feel like I do some similar mistake every spring when going out bikepacking first time of the year - I somehow think that this time I can be a bit sloppy and just wrap it onto the outside 😅

Wish I had a hill like that close to home!

A true jewel among windshelters - Vesslarp is a perfect spot for bikepackers and hikers. I visited this one a few years back and decided that I had to make a new visit someday, finally got the chance! It is beautifully located right by a small river, and in addition to the shelter there is an old waterpump (you need to filter or boil the water), and wood. I made the mistake to wrap the food I intended to grill on the outside of my saddle bag and felt so sad when I realized it had fallen off on the bumpy roads. I had to settle for bread and porridge instead of sausages and corn. I did get to listen to a lot of birds and the sound of the wood cracking from the fire though. A while after I arrived, I got company from a hiker - she was well on her way to hike all the way around the Skania region, about 600 km (!) Or about 370 miles. Color me impressed!

#bikepacking #bikepackers #gravelbike #gravelriding #outdoorsadventure #windshelter #cyklandetjejer #biketooter #cycling #nature

@bbno555@social.vivaldi.net I know! I got so happy when I came across it in the middle of nowhere 😊 it was just at the entrance road to someones little summer cottage, such a color blast!

Rivers, gravelroads, blossoming fields, and an old church with a very typical design for this region. North of Skania, Sweden. It felt like summer was finally on its way after a long and cold spring.

#gravelbike #gravelriding #gravelroads #gravelcykel #cyklandetjejer #bikepacking

The three with the colorful bird houses and flowers, made me smile 😊
#gravel #gravelbike #bikepacking #cycling #gravelride

The close-ups are so pretty!

@FruAleydis Tack! Det är några av mina favoritställen utanför Malmö, där själen andas lite bättre än i stan 🌈

@Niniel tack själv! ❤️

Long lunch means gravel ride. Cherry blossoms, the old wind mill in Skabersjö, and bright green 🌿

#gravelride #gravelbike #utpåtur

Fairy and faun trying not to laugh and failing spectacularly at the spring feast 🩷 summer will be here before we know it 🌈

#springcelebration #beltane #feast