Bikepacking Denmark – Sweden – Norway

This summer, I completed my third big bikepacking trip — crossing three borders and riding a total of 1,850 km in just 16 days (including two rest days).

It was an incredible journey that followed the Sun Route (EuroVelo 7) for the first 700 km up to Gøteborg, Sweden. From there, I crossed into Norway and headed into the mountains of the Hardangervidda, where the legendary Rallarvegen became the highlight of the tour.

Although, to be honest, the second big climb after Voss, leading into Telemarken, felt even more spectacular – both in scenery and effort.

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Gear & Setup

When it came to gear, I really leaned toward the minimalist side.
• Handlebar bag: Tent and all my sleeping gear
• Rear bag: Clothes, cooking setup, and food
• Frame & top tube bags: Electronics, a heavy-duty ABUS Bordo 6000 lock (mostly to ease my mind about theft), repair kit, multitool, and other small essentials

I was really happy with the SRAM Rival XPLR drivetrain (38T front / 10-44T rear). It gave me enough speed on the flats and was low enough for most climbs. That said, the brakes did feel a bit underpowered – not ideal in steep descents with a loaded bike.

If I had to spec a new setup today, I’d probably go for the new Shimano GRX with a 42T chainring up front and a MTB cassette (up to 51T) in the back – for even better climbing and higher top-end on descents.

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The Bike

I’m riding a No.22 Drifter, which is an absolute banger. The ride quality and craftsmanship, every weld, are next-level. Having previously bikepacked on a carbon frame, I did miss some of the stiffness when fully loaded. While the Drifter is a joy to ride, it’s not really designed for touring.

Their newer Drifter Adventure with reinforced chainstays might be a better option for carrying heavier loads. That was actually one of the reasons I packed so light – to keep the handling dialed in.

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Final Push

I ended the trip with my most ambitious attempt yet: a 40-hour push from Voss to Kristiansand, trying to ride as far as possible in one go. That final effort included:
• 470 km
• 5,000 m of elevation gain
• 24 hours in the saddle

Never have I ever felt this hungry in the days after, but also never more accomplished. But i am also hungry for the next adventure already.