My name is Elvar. I’m a chef from Iceland. In 2011 I was 147kg couch potato, now a passionate cyclist and love to explore the world. I travel by gravel bike, camp in a small tent, and tell real stories about adventure, food, and rediscovery. This is my way of staying healthy, motivated, and connected to the world.
In 2024 I cycled 3000 km from Bolgona to Copenhagen, 6 countries and lots of good but healthy local food.
In this episode of my solo bikepacking adventure from Bologna to Copenhagen, I enter Austria, my third country on this journey. I cross the border the old-fashioned way—on a tiny ferry at Brod na Muri, a spot rich with local history and tradition.
After leaving Slovenia (a country I quickly fell in love with), I ride straight into the Austrian Alps and face my toughest climbing day yet—840 meters of elevation in just 25 km. But the reward? An epic downhill, cozy campsites, and reaching the beautiful capital city of Vienna.
I reflect on riding too fast through Italy and Slovenia, and what it means to truly stay in the moment. I also share a special moment in Mönichkirchen, where I found peace, a bakery, and a reminder to slow down.
From there, I ride the Danube River toward Linz, with sunsets, riverside camping, and the Czech border on the horizon.
📍Day 7–10: Slovenia ➡ Austria ➡ Toward Czech Republic
🍕 Pizza, 🐎 horse farm camping, ☕ bakery heaven, and 🇦🇹 Alpine climbs!
www.instagram.com/elvarorn76
https://www.komoot.com/user/807843559090
https://www.strava.com/athletes/171444
My equipment:
Trek Checkpoint SL6 with Ultegra DI2 upgrade
Specialized Pathfinder tyres
Bags:
Tailfin AeroPack 20L
Tailfin Mini Paniers 2x 5L
Bontrager Adventure Framebag 5L
Apidura Expedition Handlebar bag 14L
Ortlieb Ultamate 6 Handlebar Bag 6L
Apidura Expedition Top tube bag 1.2L
Navigation, Photo and Electric
Gopro Hero 11
Samsung Galaxy S23
Quadlock phone mount with wireless charger
Camping:
Big Agnes Cupper spur UL 1
Exped Ultra 3R LW
Mountain Equipment Olympus 300 Long sleeping bag
Helinox zero chair
Planing
Komoot
2025
My equipment:
Trek Checkpoint SL6
DT Swiss Gr 1600 Wheels
Shwalbe Marathon Efficiency 45mm tyres
Bags:
Tailfin AeroPack 20L
Tailfin Mini Paniers 2x 5L
Bontrager Adventure Framebag 5L
Apidura Expedition Handlebar bag 14L
Ortlieb Ultamate 6 Handlebar Bag 6L
Apidura Expedition Top tube bag 1.2L
Navigation, Photo and Electric
Gopro Hero 11
Dji Neo
Samsung Galaxy S23
Anker Prime 27650
Quadlock phone mount with wireless charger
Camping:
Big Agnes Cupper spur UL 1
Exped Ultra 3R LW
Mountain Equipment Olympus 300 Long
Planing
Komoot
https://www.komoot.com/collection/2618555/-bologna-to-copenhagen-2024
#BikepackingAustria #CyclingEurope #DanubeRiverRide #BrodnaMuri #AlpsByBike
#SloveniaToAustria #ViennaByBike #SoloCyclingAdventure #FromItalyToCzechia
#CyclistLife #GravelBikeAdventure #SlowTravel #BikeTouringLife #BolognaToCopenhagen
after rushing through Italy and Slovenia I realized I needed to slow down to truly stay in the moment i crossed into Austria by bicycle as a cyclist crossing into a country by pedal power is magical in Iceland you’d take a plane but here the border was just river local tradition keeps this ferry point alive and it’s been in use for centuries connecting communities across the Mura River i felt excited yet also sad to leave Slovenia but Austria lay ahead and I was eager to ride along the Denube River [Music] that evening I camped at a small horse farm [Music] the next day I aimed for Vienna but I underestimated the ride the first 25 km climbed 840 m straight into the foothills of the Austrian Alps i pushed hard legs burning heart pounding with fresh alpine air and the bakery I’d been dreaming of I treated myself to coffee and a pastry a small reward after a tough morning from there it was all downhill to Vienna the wind at my back [Music] the stress behind me i reached the city late that day and found a cozy campsite just outside on day nine I pedled from Vienna [Music] [Music] following the Danube upstream through flat peaceful landscapes and camped by the river under a stunning sunset [Music] the following day I rode to Litz then turn north toward the Czech Republic crossing that border was exhilarating but that’s a story for the next episode
1 Comment
Well done..❤