Uh... not only the Deutsche Bundesbahn is capable of such a chaos? That is a surprise..! Glad you made it home.

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Haha, here I thought German trains were punctly and precise. Everything about Germany feels like it's the golden standard.

@wolframgarten4365

11 ай бұрын

Not with the trains... not at all! 🙂@@BikeTouringMike

Even a bad adventure is still an adventure. 😊

Now that’s the way to create memories of a good trip - end one adventure by having another adventure! 😅

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

That's what I always say. You never know whare the adventure is going to take you!

So motivational to get out and bike. I now have an e-bike for local transport (lots of hills where I live) and a gravel bike for epic trips. Life is good.

Worst part here in Skåne is that the train company got the principle of "You can only board the train with a bike if space is available", what that means is that you can only fit a bike at like 09-12 on weekdays. Considering how many people are using bikes, that's just insane :) Last few times I've been on the train with a bike I just put it at the bike/stroller stand and hide somewhere else in the train. The conductors have a few times asked "Who's bike is that!? There is no space for it" and I just pray that people won't call me out :P

Sorry for this trip to come to an end. I really enjoy you and Ryan together. Happy trails to you, Mi-ke! I'll keep following your adventures. Keep thinking about RAGBRAI. You would survive the heat!

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

I will. But during my current trip in France, I've realized the heat is my kryptonite. I'm really suffering out here. At home I have no problem making 100 mile days. But here I'm dying after 100 km.

@briantruck2284

10 ай бұрын

Be careful heatstroke.

Nice meeting you through Ryan VanDuzer. Your "Ole' " in the tunnel would make him proud. Looking forward to France. Cheers 🌞🚴‍♀️

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Haha! That was probably my last Ole'. I don't wanna steal the gimmick 😉

Thanks Mike! Really nice watching your videos!

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoy them Pavlos!

Thankyou mike a beutifully made film, and great adventure, well apreciated!

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed following along Simon!

Great video. So sorry you encountered so many travel issues on the way home. Thankfully, it worked out but must have been a long and tiring day for you. Blessings!

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Thank you for your kind comments as always. Take care!

Train travel as bad as UK....NO way ...Love Ryan's videos to, he's always full of life and energy...

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Yes, he is like a human Energizer Bunny!

Now that was some train trip. Very nice series and looking forward to your next adventure. Take care, Al

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Always great to hear from you Al. Take care!

Enjoyed it as always👍 looking forward to your French adventure

Thank you! Looking much forward to the French tour!

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

I'm very much looking forward to getting home and starting to edit all the footage I've captured.

I have watched you in Ryan`s Channel, Ride Safe and Enjoy Always :)

That was funny and unfortunate at the same time. You need to work on your tunnel "Olays" Ha ha. Looking forward to your Paris adventure Mike!

Glad you made it home on the end. It looks like British Rail are running the trains in Sweden. Much love Ed

@BikeTouringMike

9 ай бұрын

Haha! It looks like it's about the same all over Europe. Good to hear from you Ed!

Great video! A train trip is meant to be about the getting there, not about the journey.

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

What a nightmare journey Mike, I'm sure you were glad to finally get home! I will look forward to your Paris to Bordeaux trip👍

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

It was way worse in reality. It's hard to capture the emotions and things that happen around you on film. I sat next to a family with small kids. And I gotta give props to the parents that kept the kids busy all throughout the day. I think I heard the Baby Shark song about a million times 😉

@rabh6746

11 ай бұрын

@@BikeTouringMike Way tougher for parents with kids for sure Mike, I hope you were singing along?😂

Welcome to France Mike! I hope France welcomes you as well as I was welcomed in Sweden 🙂

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Everyone is so nice here in France. Even though I speak very little French, people are always very friendly.

I have heard this before, I have had good experiences with my bike here in Norway, cheers Mike!

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

I've only taken the Vy train to Narvik and that was great!

Par for the course when traveling by train in Sweden! 2 hour trips turns into 8 hour trips. You should never, never plan a trip by train in Sweden if you need to be at the destination at a specific time. I tried to commute by train to work a few years back and that was mostly a disaster. It's amazing how bad it can get sometimes in a country that prides itself on public transport.

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Sweden is a U-land (third world country) when it comes to public transportation. And Norrland is even worse.

thanks mike you inspired me riding my bike more often even by myself 😊

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Glad to hear that!

thanks Mike, that was for sure a terrible train saga, looking forward to more of your adventures, great stuff

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed this short tour Reece. See you in a couple of weeks for my France trip!

Thanks. See you next. 🚴🏽‍♂️

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

I'll see you soon!

I remember seeing you on the Bike Touring Pro'd channel and there was an older gentleman as well. Then I saw you on Duzer's channel....Now I'll be watching your channel.

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Yes that was quite a while ago. Welcome to channel!

The good thing, in France the train are free for bikes and, I less mosquitos also. Have a nice ride!

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Yes on TER, but unfortunately I had to pay for the TGV. But it was only 10 Eur extra so I'm not complaining.

Looking forward to your next adventure!

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Thank you Dusty. It will be a lot different from these videos. Hot, hot, hot and less mosquitoes.

@dustysadventures

11 ай бұрын

@@BikeTouringMike less mosquitoes being the important part! 😂😂

Hi Mike hope you are doing well! Sorry about that grueling train trip! I’ve been putting off bicycling this past year on personal note it reminds me too much about my dad who passed almost 1 year ago. But I will be trying again

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you manage to get back in the saddle when you feel you have the motivation for it!

Great video my friend have a great day.

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Thanks Michael. Have a nice day yourself!

Learned about you through the Duzer series, Staying for the good bike packing adventures.

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Welcome to the channel!

Thanks Mike, sorry to hear about all your extra quality time on the train. I'm really looking forward to the France Tour. What route are you taking?

Hi, I have found your channel as a Ryan’s follower on his las adventure crossing Sweden .I love your videos too and I’ll try to follow you too. I’m a new subscriber! Best regards from Madrid.

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Welcome to the channel!

Hi Mike. Just moved to Skellefteå. I saw you on the vids with Ryan. He is an was one guy, but I hope to meet you some time in Skellefteå. I love the bike trails around the camping area and can’t wait for our bikes to arrive from Paris where we relocated from.

A great tour Mike. Looking forward to seeing your French exploits.

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Look forward to sit down and edit them when I get home.

I was a little worried, I thought the railway Co had lost your bike. A great series mate, well done. 👍

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed this short adventure. Longer o e coming in a couple of weeks (France).

@OldBumOnABike

10 ай бұрын

@BikeTouringMike look forward to it.

Hi Mike! I just subscribed to your channel after watching you on VanDuzer's channel. I am getting ready to have foot surgery and will be laid up with a cast for a couple of months, so no biking for me for awhile. I will enjoy going back and watching your channel from the beginning since I will have lots of time. Happy trails and safe travels!

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

First of all: I hope the surgery goes as planned. Second of all: Welcome to the channel! Well you certainly have a lot of trips to plow through during the next couple of weeks...

Unreal, I Just Now Noticed That You Are Rocking The Old Garmin 500 - I Am As Well - Another Fabulous Episode There Mike - Looking To Checking Out Some Castles In The Next Adventure Party On, Cheers

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Haha, it's still going strong. Or not... I'm not able to upload tracks to it anymore, so it's most serving as a speedometer/odometer. But hey it's probably 15 years old, so I've gotten my money's worth

What an adventure!

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it!

Thank you)

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

bikes on a train is very often an adventure on his own, I experienced the same in the Netherlands, train late then broke down, then other train diverted, change train that was packed, very unfriendly personnel, the lady absolutly wanted us to unpack our bikes, we were 4 and managed to stow our bike neatly and avoiding blocking other passengers, so we told the lady that we would not listen to her silly orders, luckily other train passengers told us that we were right and that she had to leave us like it was. In Belgium same problem trains late, mostly crowded, not easy to reach the platforms, but I experienced more friendly personnel. European rules say that every train must have at least 8 places for bikes, but this is rarely true. But the scenery in Sweden is really stunning, I will definitively come probably next year.

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Sweden is lovely, but my recommendation would be to take a plane. I love the idea of trains, being good to the environment and all. But as you say it can be a bit a chaotic at times!

I wish we could put bikes on busses in the USA. You have to disassemble them and box😅.

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Oh no! That's such a hassle.

t least they didn't invent some random reason to ban you from bringing the bike on the train or something like that. I had a similar experience on a train in Germany this summer, fortunately without bringing a bike.

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Just read another viewer mentioning something similar about German trains.

They were supposed to have a much bigger bike storage first as those trains are used mainly by commuters but I think money was a problem in the end. I guess nowadays the people could bring a portable electric scooter to get from and to work from the station.

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Yeah, there were a lot of those in Örnsköldsvik.

Hi Mike Not even in Portugal do trains work so badly 🚂

Hey Mike, another great video. Mate how is the Kona Unit X going. Does it feel solid and stable when loaded? I’m tossing up which bike I’m going to buy for a rigid bike packing rig and the unit X is one on my list. Thanks mate.

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

It feels super solid. But at the time your still able to put in the miles. I never thought I'd be able to do 100 mile days fully loaded, but we ended up doing two of those days. Now that I'm basically do e with my France trip I almost regret not bringing the Unit X (I brought the Sutra instead). What I felt was best with the Unit X and we talked about this alot Ryan and I (since it also applies to his Priority 600x) is that it's such a relief riding one of those bikes where you know you can tackle any type of road/trail/track that's coming your way. It's a nice feeling for sure!

@Jamie.S.

10 ай бұрын

@@BikeTouringMike Thanks Mike, yes, I agree that having the capability to really get off the beaten track and still feel reassured that the bike isn’t going to let you down would be a great thing. I’ve got a steel framed Jamis Renegade gravel bike with 45mm tyres and whilst it’s good lightly loaded on nice smooth gravel, forestry or farm roads, once you start to load it up, even just a bit, and start getting into some rough stuff it really starts to feel sketchy. Last trip I went on I thought I was traveling reasonably light but enough stuff for a couple of nights camping, a rear rack a couple of very small panniers, trunk bag, handlebar roll etc. I did some real off-road stuff and some decent descents the bike just felt awful. It felt like I was riding a pool noodle. Extremely disconcerting. That’s when I decided I need something a bit better than the Jamis for trips like this.

Never knew traveling by train was such a problem in Sweden. In that case it is better here in the Netherlands (anyway trains are mostly on schedule, but sometimes you can not get your bike in ...). But here the problem is the bus, there's no place for a bicycle in a bus.

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Here in Sweden it's the total opposite. Buses have never been a problem for me, I just turn up and ask the bus driver. They usually have a storage area in the back for post and packages that I'm able to use.

Dude, I have the exact same problem... SJ doesn't take any bikes, and then the rest is just filled with baby carts all the time

Why did the train person in Sweden wear the norwegian VY logo? Is VY in Sweden too? Is that why they changed from NSB (norwegian state rails) to VY?

What kind of handlebar bag is that ?? Seems wide enough to carry a sleeping bag??

Please watch Roland and Julianna’s bicycle travels. They recently posted their series of France. Like all your videos, I’ve watched all of theirs too. It might be of help to you. All the best for your future rides. That Travelling Guy….

Thank you for your videos ,I've noticed you don't have mudguards ,have you never used them .I find them very useful here in the UK .

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

I have always used mudguards with my other bikes. But thus new one doesn't really support them. Plus I saw that the weather was going to be fair for most of the time. When I'm commuting and during some of my trips up here (Norway for instance) I wouldn't leave home without them. You really need them when it's raining in Scandinavia.

@kevindean9613

11 ай бұрын

@@BikeTouringMike Thank you for your reply ,I find them necessary here in the UK especially if going through farms lol .

the other day i had 151 km left to go so i decided to take my chances with hungarian rail. it took 4 hours. it would have only taken 5 and a bit if i kept on riding

What size tire is that bro?

Deutsche Bahn is even worse, believe me. I travelled once this summer with the Bahn and my bike for the first time, and I will never do this again. I have no idea how to go back home when I am bikepacking, but I will never use the train anymore. It was not even hell anymore, it was worse. Too small doors, so some bikes did not fit through, and this was the bike compartment! Not enough room in the trains for all the people, trains got cancelled, never showed up. And in the end someone dropped a heavy suitcase on my bike and almost destroyed some parts of it. It was 16 hours of pure suffering for me. But I want to thank you for your videos, we always watch them and enjoy them 👍

@myronas

11 ай бұрын

Totally opposite in Belgium. Perfect services in all trains I used

@SamsajasHang

11 ай бұрын

@@myronas yes i know. Nothing beats Deutsche Bahn for being an horrible experience.

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Haha, that's the third comment I've read now about DeutscheBahn. I might skip using the train if I'm going bikepacking in Germany then.

@SamsajasHang

11 ай бұрын

@@BikeTouringMike i would advise you to skip it, even without bike 😅

A bit off topic maybe, I’m curious to know if you have any videos from Åland. I’m planning a trip there with my wife next summer. If I get my way, we’ll be on my tandem, but she seems more intent on taking her e-bike, in which case I’ll probably take my recumbent instead (not the worst option). I have done a little bit of more utility riding in Åland before, and if you haven’t experienced it, I think you should.

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

As a matter of fact I do. I went there four years ago cycling around the islands with my wife. Here's the link to all the videos: kzread.info/head/PLE0x7492uP3JMrsGvC-CdBtUvEykepsV7

@migrantfamily

10 ай бұрын

@@BikeTouringMike tack för den!

I'm considering cycling sweden next summer. I thought driving in to sweden an then taking the train north and then riding back to my car. So trains are a nightmare it seems. What are the other options then?

@marcusohlsson3130

7 ай бұрын

I would package the bike and send it as a parcel with "Postnord" or a similar company. But you the need packaging for that or else they won't take the bike or it will vanish. Have a friend/familty send all you need to wrap the bike and the necessary tools to a postoffice near your final destination. You can phone them a few days before you arrive at your final destination for example North cape and then order them to send the parcel, no need to send it before your adventure starts. The postoffice will keep you parcel for about seven days so you have plenty of time to fetch it.

I don't get it. Is this the usual situation with trains in Sweden? I was thinking to have a bike/train tour between Denmark/Sweden/Norway, but I am afraid of having too many issues with carrying my bike on Swedish trains. 😢

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Unfortunately I think it might be. There are different operators depending on where you are in the country. And they all have different rules. It's a chaos basically. Buses are easier. Sweden should take a look at its neighbor Finland. They have mastered the whole bike on a train thing. They even paint one cart per train with a huge bicycle logo, so you really can't miss where to leave your bike. Last year when I took a train there there were probably around 10 bikes on the train. And this was far up north, in Rovaniemi.

I am commuting 560km by train to and from Stockholm several times a month. Trains in Sweden are awful

Take a public transport they said. Its saving planet they said 😂 I thought the Polish railways are always late 😮 but it seems to be more reliable than swedish ones..

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Yeah, I love the idea of trains being environmentally friendly, but traveling with a bike it can be quite a hassle at times.

@adamnovina2139

10 ай бұрын

@@BikeTouringMike sure it is convinient especially for solitary rides. With family and a dog i prefer car. Never checked swedish r.t. standarts but in Poland it is challenging to find a train with bicycle friendly cars in summertime without booking like 3-4 days before.. anyways i feel free to say that i prefer watching Your films on KZread than Rays. He is much more focused on himself i assume. And much louder which is not a point for me 😉 stay cool Mike, greetings from PL

@swecreations

10 ай бұрын

Swede here, the issues sten entirely from the fact the trains have to cooperste with freight trains, which really don't cooperste well, and the governments refusal to put in tax money to build double tracks. With only a single track to serve trains going both directions including much slower freight trains things don't go that well. Switzerland/Austria are pretty much perfect in comparison, there the trains are always on time.

You went to Italy a couple of years ago I'm off bikepacking in Sicily and Naples Any advice?

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

I haven't been to Sicily, but I've been once to Naples and that time driving a car with the family. I just remember the traffic being a total nightmare. I don't know if there are any good bike paths there but please take it careful. The Amalfi coast is a must if you're going there. We loved our stay in Sorrento.

@tonysegadelli9421

11 ай бұрын

@@BikeTouringMike I was thinking more generally about bikepacking in Italy I terms of whether you have any advice

Hello , Mike , je n'y crois pas , le réseau ferroviaire , serait pire qu'en France ???? , a bientot pour ce periple en France . prends soin de toi !!

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

J'ai d'ailleurs déjà pris le train avec mon vélo ici en France. Et ça s'est bien passé.

Ha, ha. This type of train experience is actually not uncommon in Canada, with Via Rail! When a train cannot complete the journey, they send a bus.

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

I was also expecting a replacement bus, but no... and the information was horrible. It took them 30-60 minutes at every train meltwldown to announce what people were supposed to do.

THERE IS NO OTHER PLACE LIKE HOME 😢

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

True!

hello if something like that happened in Italy people would say that Italy is third world......... but it does not happen...... enjoy your journey. Next year I will go for the second time to nordkapp by bicycle and I will cross sweden....... ciao

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

I have gone with a train in Italy a couple of times, and I find Italian trains more reliable than Swedish ones. Have a great trip!

@swecreations

10 ай бұрын

Italy has the best trains in Europe in my opinion, 300 km/h and you can get across the country in less than half the time compared to by car

Problemen hade ju inget med att ta med cykeln att göra. Det sög bara med tågen just då. Det hade inte varit fantastiskt utan hoj.

You Atleast have a train in Europe. Come to middle usa and try riding a train.

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Yeah, I'm laying down flat. It's probably way worse over there with Amtrak.

I only travelled once with train in Sweden but it was fantastic (Kristinehamn-Stockholm and back) - the train was in time (I think the company was SJ - the silver one which was in your video), but what happened to you could happen also here in Germany (never travel with Deutsche Bahn :-)). I hope to be back in Sweden (was so great last year) for a cycling tour.

@HansGrob

10 ай бұрын

I travel regularly with DB in the south. What else? Not bad.

@ist_doch_ganz_egal

10 ай бұрын

@@HansGrob Everytime (not often) I travel with DB there is a delay. I enjoy traveling with SBB

@HansGrob

10 ай бұрын

@@ist_doch_ganz_egal Then you must use always the same connection, because the quality depends on the region and line. I like especially those DB lines where taking with a bicycle is free of charge. I like the Länderticket 1st class. I had used the 9€ - ticket for 2 months, too. And the TNW extension to the VFL.

@ist_doch_ganz_egal

10 ай бұрын

​@@HansGrobyesterday friends of mine (4 persons) wanted to travel from Stuttgart to Bruxelles via Frankfurt, but the train was late and then the train to Bruxelles was gone, so they travelled with DB to Cologne and then the DB paid them a taxi to Bruxelles (476 €). They arrived at 1 a.m.

@HansGrob

10 ай бұрын

@@ist_doch_ganz_egal You've got to do a statistically valid examination. Single events don't prove much. Swiss train companies have more money, a more intense customer base, a better distrubuted customer demand by business and tourism, better concentration of population (in the valleys).

Could be worse. Amtrak🇺🇲 destroyed my bike, then repacked it in another box,then delivered it later after it didn't disembark with me at my destination.

On British trains are even worse, not only that you cannot book in advance the place for your bike, but principle "first take place" race. No sensible rack, and space accomodated, just bike against bike. Then on train stop struggling to get your bike out.. Drama!

🇸🇪👍🇺🇸 Travel safe.

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Thank you Dana!

Wi not trei a holiday in Sweeden this yer ? See the loveli lakes The wonderful telephone system And mani interesting furry animals Including the majestic moose A moose once bit my sister...

Hi, Mike. I know exactly how you felt. Here in Los Angeles, CA, the only place for bikes on buses is on the front bike rack...which only holds 3 bikes. If it's full, you wait for the next bus...and wait. If it's rush hour in the morning or from about 3-6 PM, it could be a long wait, as alot of the illegals go to and from work by bus. However, I wouldn't want to put my good bike under the bus in a cargo area...too easily stolen. At least, in the front I can keep an eye on my bike.

Even the Danish are capable of chaos... The reservation system has it's good and its flaws.

Swedish trainstandard 😂😂😂

Kanskje vi ses en gang ….jeg lader opp til og begynne og sykle lange turer , men må trene litt , sjekke ut at kroppen virker greit

I hate trains.. fantastic adventure bro

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@welshbikepackingadventures

11 ай бұрын

@@BikeTouringMike come to Wales next time, we've banned them

strange title, all the delays had nothing to do with the bike.

Same as British rail…public transport is useless

@BikeTouringMike

10 ай бұрын

Seems to be the case all over Europe.

Maybe I've seen too much media, but Sweden is the last country I would even put my big toe in! I feel safe here in in Poland

@BikeTouringMike

11 ай бұрын

What you've seen is probably true. But all of those bad things happen in and around the 3 large cities. Luckily the 2/3 north of Stockholm is a peaceful and prosperous part of Sweden.

@swecreations

10 ай бұрын

Definitely seen to much media, that is not true in any way, coming from an actual Swedish person.

@FractalZero

2 ай бұрын

ironically, based on the media i receive in the UK i would feel unsafe in Poland, but am happy anywhere in Sweden. internet brainrot. we need to reconnect as humans.

Taking your bike on the train has nothing to do with the train breaking down . ok, it means you must move the bike several times to the new trains but so what. Aside from that , if it was a German train , those baby strollers would be thrown off the train for blocking the bike rack. 😂