Bikepacking and gravel cycling adventures

By Sabina Knezevic and Robin Patijn.

adventure journal

Farawayistan Gravel Routes Oslo Nordmarka Fara
11 September 2023

Oslo gravel cycling – Exploring Scandinavia’s gravel capital + routes

While names like Girona, Tuscany, and Mallorca often dominate the world of gravel cycling, a hidden gem calls on to those seeking a different kind of adventure. Say hello to Scandinavia's best-kept secret: Oslo, the gravel capital of Europe. Nestled amid awe-inspiring natural beauty, Norway's capital, Oslo, reveals a cycling paradise like no other; a…
Credit Card Bikepacking Tuscany Strade Bianche Farawayistan
3 July 2023

The joy of credit card bikepacking – Bikepacking in Tuscany

Traditional bike touring across continents, long expeditions through woodlands and high mountains, and even ultra racing with minimal bike weight—bikepacking has taken us on numerous adventures in recent years. However, there was one style of bikepacking that we had yet to try: credit card bikepacking. Driven by a desire for the same sense of joy,…
Dirty Halland Gravel Ride Sweden
20 May 2023

Ride report – The Dirty Halland 2023 in touring mode

Over the past few years, the Dirty Halland has become a staple in our cycling adventures. We've taken part in both the 2021 and 2022 editions of this social gravel race held in Hallands län every last weekend of March. Each year brings a new route filled with challenging gravel roads and steep climbs. However,…
Farawayistan Winter Bikepacking Sweden Sun Singletrail Sabina
4 January 2023

NYE Camping – Farawayistan does Good Night 2022

For a lot of cyclists, the last week of December marks the annual Festive 500 challenge. Cycling enthusiasts attempt to ride a total of 500 kilometers between Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve in a challenge. We also intended to saddle up and power through the 500 kilometers, like we did last year. However, a…
Grand Bikepaking Journeys Annapurna Gestalten Farawayistan
8 November 2022

Farawayistan x Gestalten – Grand Bikepacking Journeys

Print is cool! So it’s always nice when a new bikepacking magazine or book is released. Earlier this week Gestalten’s latest book ‘Grand Bikepacking Journeys’ dropped on our doormat. And the fact that two of our stories were included made us pretty proud.  Stefan Amato, creator of Pannier, asked us a while back if he…
Bikepacking Söderåsen Sweden Farawayistan
10 October 2022

Bikepacking Routes Sweden – Söderåsen and Hallandsåsen

For this Swedish Bikepacking Route (more here and here), we share our micro-adventure bikepacking Söderåsen and Hallandsåsen. Should you travel to Sweden especially to ride this route? Probably not. But if you're looking for a bikepacking route near Malmö and Copenhagen, definitely keep on reading. The western part along the coast of Skåne isn’t exactly…
Bikepacking Banvallsleden gravel grus climb
19 June 2022

Bikepacking the Banvallsleden with Dad

My father is the one who inspired me to take up cycling. Every year, we took a trip to a popular cycling destination. We traveled to Mallorca, Girona, and Flanders. This year, we chose bikepacking the Banvallsleden in Sweden. Perhaps you recall the family bikepacking journey down Denmark’s Haervejen last year. A few weeks ago…
DSCF5830
30 May 2022

Farawayistan does Trans Balkan Race

It is almost race day. Our very first ultra bikepacking race, the Trans Balkan Race starts June 3rd at 8am sharp. We will cross four former Yugoslavian countries and cover 1.356 kilometres and 26.680 meters of elevation in the short period of 10 days.  We have trained for months, studied every meter of the route meticulously…
Farawayistan_Dalsland_Gravel_Cycling.3
23 May 2022

Gravel cycling in Dalsland – Sweden in Miniature

When we moved to the south of Sweden, we set out to discover as much of the country as possible. Two years later, we are still discovering new places. This time we headed north to go gravel cycling in Dalsland, a province in Västra Götaland famous for its beautiful lakes and forests. Dalsland is known…
Dirty Halland gravel Sweden farawayistan
14 April 2022

Ride report: The Dirty Halland gravel ride ’22 Grusfest

Sweden’s gravel calendar starts in March with the Dirty Halland: A 165 kilometre gravel ride, organised by Team CYKLAMERA. We rode the 2022 edition, and it was a day filled with sun, gravel and climbs: a success formula for a first-class gravel event. The organisers create a brand new route each year, and this year’s…
Bikepacking Sweden sleeping bag
11 April 2022

Bikepacking and gravel videos – Part IV

In this fourth part of 'Bikepacking and gravel videos,' we present you with five cycling-related films we enjoyed very much lately. From inspiring footage of a bike-and-pack rafting expedition to a powerful message about mental health. From the almost endless gravel roads of the United States to the rugged mountains of Norway. So, sit back,…
Robin Rapha Winter Bikepacking Sweden
9 March 2022

Winter bikepacking – A photo report plus 5 tips to help you survive the cold

Winter bikepacking takes a special breed of cyclist. You have to be willing to embrace the cold winds and snow. Yes, it can be cold. Very cold. But if you prepare, it can also be a liberating experience when the rest of the world is stuck indoors. Here are five tips to help you survive…
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