'It was one of the most glorious feelings I have ever experienced' – Svein Tuft on the magic of bike touring - Escape Collective
'It was one of the most glorious feelings I have ever experienced' – Svein Tuft on the magic of bike touring - Escape Collective
In this exclusive extract from Svein Tuft’s forthcoming autobiography we explore gravel bikepacking as it was in the 1990s.
It doesn't even need to be an epic month-long adventure.
At the beginning of the month I felt like I needed a short break from the day-to-day before winter is coming.
I packed a camping mat, sleeping bag, 2 water bottles, snacks, a change of clothes, and a few other little items.
Switched off my phone and just hopped on my bike.
I rode roughly north-east by the position of the sun, bought food and water when I needed it, and looked for a nice meadow when I was tired in the evening.
In just one long weekend I had crossed half of Germany, and reached the sea.It was one of the most liberating feelings ever.
It doesn’t even need to be an epic month-long adventure.
I try to regularly spend the entire day on my bike when I have the chance. I've yet to do an overnighter, but just being on my bike brings joy to my life.
There isn't a single person on the planet who can tell me that running an errand by car brings them happiness and peace, but I get to experience that every. single. time.
To tour by bike would be an absolute dream!
I'm lucky to live in a country where sleeping outside is easily possible, safe, and legal, and it's always possible to hop on a train back if things don't work out. I'm doing this on easy mode.
If that isn't the case for you, either try to lodge with an aquaintance within cycling range, or look for a campsite in advance.
Even without much training, it's easily possible to cover 100km / 60 miles in a day on flat ground, if your bike fits you. Cycling clothes also help a lot.
I need to go bike packing
Same. I miss the woods.
A great read that makes me want to chuck it all and find a nice long road to nowhere to bicycle/camp down... just need my own Bear to bring along for the ride!