We Sent 2 Riders on the Trip of a Lifetime to Some of Norway's Most Remote Trails
During the summer, Pinkbike held a competition just for our European users. No doubt some of you out there will feel that it should have been open to everyone in the world, we get that, and no doubt in the future we'll hold this type of contest for people only in North America - who knows, maybe even something just for users in South America! If you want us to do more of this style then please, let us know in the comments and we'll get to work.
Now on to what happened in the Bikester Ultimate Adventure contest.
Announcing the competition in May, users were invited to send in one-minute clips proving that they were the ultimate mountain bike adventurer. Our judges, filmmaker Scott Secco and top Enduro World Series racer Robin Wallner were then given the difficult task of shrinking a list of more than 100 entries down to just 16. This list of 16 were then set to the public vote over the course of a week leaving one video on top.
Our winners were Silvio Zauchner and Andreas Gasser, who produced a fantastic entry which can be seen below.
Their prize? An incredible trip through the Norwegian Fjords on an ex-Navy Minesweeper vessel that would take them to some truly remote trails - the perfect reward. Check out the exact package they won here. After enjoying the awesome Scott Secco production above, Niklas Walner (Robin's brother) was also on hand to document the trip with some out of this world photography.
Arriving at the airport, it was straight into the van to get the crew to port.
Gazing out over the fjords before all the excitement of the week's adventures.
Alesund, Norway
Everyone sits down to hash out the plans for the week.
Not your normal mountain bike trip
Ok, one last coffee first...
The boat pulls anchor and heads out into the fjords. From the first minute, you are treated to simply breathtaking visuals.
With bikes built up from their boxes, it's time to hit some trails.
Hopefully the emergency life raft won't be necessary
Ole Tangen, fearless bike and ski guide, outlining where the trails are.
After a ride up where you find it impossible to look straight ahead, our group drop into the first trails.
"So yeah, this is Scandinavia."
Silvio and Andreas, accompanied by their newest entourage: Max Freiheit, Ole Tangen, Robin Wallner, and Jutta Wurth, get kitted up and head into the mountains.
Contrast much? I think this is going to be the running theme here...
Alpine lakes? Tick.
Back up to the top for more riding and mandatory high fives.
Just like in his submission to the contest, Silvio enjoys the alpine goodness aboard his YT Capra.
And back to fjord level.
Our videographer, Scott Secco, had a ton of fun getting those boat shots with the drone. Here Niklas takes to the water to capture the stills.
Environmentally friendly roofs here in Norway, you may remember from images of the Hafjell World Cup rounds that this is the norm here.
Perfect form on the bike carrying from Andreas here, these guys really were deserving winners - well done to the Pinkbike users for picking them!
There's that steezy-riding-shot-with-epic-background you were scrolling for.
Oh hold on here's another one. Wait... POD? POY? Let us know in the comments. Robin Wallner showing that the enduroists can style it up for the camera.
Just stop for a second. Enjoy this one.
Back into the trees as you hit the bottom of the mountain.
Are you silly? It might be freezing but I'm still gonna send it.
Sampling the delights of the water you are floating on.
You don't get much fresher than this.
Andreas on the left here savouring his dinner.
More ferrying of the riders out to the trails - this time for the last time.
The colours of Norway in September. Coming to a postcard near you.
The crew had enough of dry land, "We only sleep on boats now."
Here we have one of the world's greatest treasures – Instagram live. Pioneered before the invention of the mobile phone, you can actually look through it and see what most of us will only see on websites like Pinkbike.
Once more into the fray.
Jealousy is a deadly sin, but you can't help it with scenery like this.
Silvio slings his machine over his back, it's not a true epic unless you're carrying your bike.
Your winners, winning. Although Andreas does seem a bit happier than Silvio in this one. Maybe he's contemplating what's for dinner? Let's go with that.
Andreas flows down the trail through the alpine flowers of Norway, followed by one of the best enduro riders in the world. Not a bad reward for creating a one-minute video eh?
Darting through the trees after descending from way up high.
The diversity of the riding that was seen on this trip is truly unique to Norway. From alpine epics to scenes like this where you can hang out next to the water, beside a log cabin, surrounded by woodland.
Here at PB HQ we can imagine that when you've done boat shuttles, life will be very different back on dry land.
Loading the bikes back onto the boat for one last time.
What a trip it has been, the only way to finish any epic is with a cold one.
Congratulations to Silvio and Andreas once again and thanks again to our partners that made this all happen.
About Bikester
Cycling enthusiasts and avid mountain bikers alike know where to get their gear from. In addition to excellently priced bicycles, Bikester’s range of products also includes clothing, accessories and bicycle parts from more than 500 brands. Excellent customer service is our first priority: all orders are processed within 24 hours, and qualified experts are available to help our customers. Bikester is a company of internet stores GmbH.
Find out more at www.bikester.com
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"HELL YEAH!!"
We run a BnB down by Hardangerfjord and bikers are extra welcome, we are always out exploring trails if anyone wants to join...? We're also often out building some new trails so, bring your spade!
For example - www.instagram.com/_any_excuse_to_ride
Hit me up if you're keen!
And Pinkbike readers: Yep, this guy rides A LOT and his spot is awesome!
I'll take destinations like Norway, Iceland, Sweden and Finland any day.
Now if there was only a Norwegian trip that combined Mountain Biking and Black Metal. \m/ \m/
Where can I sign in?!