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

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

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

🚲 Je découvre cette série de quatre podcasts de France Culture (LSD) sur l'histoire du #vélo et de ses usages. Des premiers usages de draisiennes et du vélocipède aux #bikepackers modernes en passant par la transition vers les #mobilités douces. Je viens d'écouter la première, c'est 👍
https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceculture/podcasts/serie-la-velo-revolution-histoire-d-un-objet-en-pieces-detachees #velo #cyclisme #mastobike #mastobikes #mobilite #cyclo #cyclotourisme #radiofrance