The Final Stretch to Vardø | 3318 km North by Bike

The final day of a 3318 km self-supported bicycle journey from Hungary to Vardø, Norway, with drone footage from the Barents Sea coast.

This journey did not start with the first pedal stroke. There was planning before, preparation, getting the gear ready, waiting, and turning myself towards what could come. And maybe it started much earlier, with my first kilometers in childhood.

I knew it would be tough. The chosen pace, the distance, and everything that comes along the way intensify physical and emotional experiences that are almost impossible to share exactly afterwards.

This film isn’t really a travelogue either. The making of it is rather another stage of the journey, or perhaps the final point at its end.

I don’t think what I went through can ever be shared in its entirety. But if this film can pass on something of the imprint the journey left on me, then it made the cut.

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The ride

Hungary → Vardø, Norway Distance ridden: 3318 km Total route including ferry: ~3380 km Riding days: 17 Rest days: 2 Total: 19 days Average riding day: ~195 km

Strongest day: 246 km at 24 km/h average, including stops

A self-supported journey through Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Finland, all the way to Norway.

The heat further south quickly gave way to rain, cold and long headwinds, followed by the hills of Lapland. In the far north came repeated Arctic downpours, exposed roads, and finally the Barents Sea.

This film follows the final stretch of the long journey towards Vardø.

Music: Orion’s Reign - Nostos

#LongDistanceCycling #BikeTouring #DroneFootage #Vardø #Norway