Uppsala - Northcape
Sweden - Norway
June 2007
During an adventure-filled discussion at lunch March 2007, Kristina and James decided that they are going to execute the idea of biking to Northcape, which is the most Northern point of Scandinavia. After making the decision to do this expedition, much intensive planning was scheduled, since departure-date was in a couple of weeks. The planning work had begun!
The expedition will only be using bikes as transportation, with the start in Uppsala and the goal at Northcape. Between these two points it is a 1765 mile-long bike trip, with a few mile’s difference depending on where the bike trip will be set in Norway. The starting-date is June first, but there is a possibility, depending on the weather, that the start might be at the end of May. Kristina and James have 30 days to get from Uppsala to Northcape. After reaching the goal, they´ll take the train home. Food will be bought in stores along the way up and they´ll replenish food supplies every three days. They will carry everything on the bikes using special bike-packs. Kristina says: “Getting from point A to point B on your own engine, with no help, gives such satisfaction and parallels can be drawn with a young child who says “I can do it myself!”
James Lee
James Lee, born 1976 in Stockholm is somewhat a restless guy who always wants to be somewhere else. As a teenager, he played high-level American football, he has parachooted, taken a diving certificate, done three missions, within the Swedish Military, on foreign soil in the former Yugoslavia and been trecking in and around Sweden. James loves all kind of challenges and especially when the fysical aspects are being tested. The idea of biking to Northcape was actually first tried by his adventurer/friend who biked to Northcape in 2000. After his friend had successfully reached the goal, James found this expedition interesting and wished to perform one as well.
Kristina Yondt
Kristina Yondt, adventurer from Uppsala and Buffalo, NY, has always tried to find activities that give her that nice tingling sensation in the stomach. After Mount Everest, Nepal, she has continued every year with different expeditions and new challenges. When Northcape came up, she said: “Yes, of course I want to go there! “ Kristina continues “To find new challenges and goals, that you can reach, gives you new perspectives on life. The feeling of simplicity that dominates on an expedition is something I try to achieve. Today we live in a very complicated and un-focused society, and I find that expeditions give me a chance to breathe and keep focusing on one goal. The simplicity is found in limiting your goals.”
Kristina och James both work at the security company Securitas, former G4S, at Arlanda Airport. It was at work they got to know each other and the adventure talks began!
Comments from people around have been both positive and negative, whereas some find Kristina and James somewhat crazy, and others have commented that there are trains that go up there. (Why bike so far??) This only triggers their longing for adventures even more and the challenge becomes easier to say yes to.
Preparation
Training: Since both are “gym-freaks” and exercise on a daily basis, their bodies are well-prepared for the biking. Many spinning classes have been put on the daily exercise routine and more hours biking outdoors. Using the bike as transportation to and from work/University gives some more miles in the legs. Running in the woods adds to the long distance training that is very important.
Food: Three well-balanced meals and three snacks daily help with energy during exercise.
Gear: Following is the gear list, with reservation for changes. (This list will be under constant changes up to the last week before takeoff.)
Bike (m-bike with thinner tires) |
Bike shoes |
Belly bag (on stomach) |
Reg. shoes |
Bag on front |
5 liter bag (for water) |
Side bags |
Maps |
Sleeping bag |
Bike comp. |
Tent |
GPS |
Kitchen |
MP3 player + charger |
Aidfood (2) |
Camera + charg. |
Dried food (4 meals) |
Cell-phone + charger |
Therma-rest |
First aid |
Pump |
Iron-thread |
Tools |
Rope + clothespins |
Extra tube/gas |
Diary + pen |
Rain/wind jacket |
Bike gloves |
Rain/wind pants |
Windstopper glove |
Shoe protector |
Clothes (close to body) |
Bike pants 2 pairs |
Socks 3 pairs |
Lock |
Towel |
Extra pants |
Buff/hankerchief |
Silver tape |
Sun glasses |
Food, b-fast (3 days) |
Knee protector |
Water bottles 2 |
Lights for bike |
Vest, reflex |
Flashlight |
Cream for aching muscles |
Toilet paper |
Alco gel |
Matches |
Binoculars |
Y3 (soap) |
Toilet articles |
Seat-protector |
Deck of cards |
