Riding bikes in the Arctic Circle with MBUK

When planning a bike trip abroad it's easy to get fixated on the same destinations – the Alps, Spain, Whistler. Don't get us wrong, those places are rad, but last summer we fancied something a bit different. Mountain biking in the Arctic Circle isn't widely known about, but we'd heard from various sources that Norway's secluded northern reaches were a potential Mecca for bikes and home to a scene that's tipped to grow over the next few years. Not to mention that the landscape is stunning and in midsummer there's nearly 24 hours of daylight, with spectacular sunrises and sunsets.

The best way to negotiate this mountainous region is by water, so we chartered a boat complete with skipper, got in touch with some locals to guide us around, brought along some Norwegian biking talent and set sail into the fjords in search of singletrack, stunning sunsets and general fun on two wheels.

Below is a rough cut of our GoPro highlights and a flavour of the images we got from the trip. You can read a full feature about our adventure in the January 2018 edition of MBUK, which is on sale now.

Yacht sailing through the Norwegian fjords — Our home for the week, the Arctic Aurora. Credit: Andy Lloyd

Lying on the deck of a yacht in the Arctic fjords under the midnight sun — Setting sail from the port of Tromso under the light of the midnight sun. Credit: Andy Lloyd

Snowy mountains and fjords in Norway — Arctic Norway is a truly wild and breathtaking place. Credit: Andy Lloyd

Two mountain bikers following each other in a lush green woodland — Thomas Klingenberg chases down our Ed in Djupvik on the first day of the trip. Credit: Andy Lloyd

Reindeer in Norway — The locals are pretty friendly too. Credit: Andy Lloyd

Thomas Klingenberg and Ed Thomsett ride along a cliff top in Norway — There's clifftop singletrack and views aplenty – just don't stray too far from the trail! Credit: Andy Lloyd

Smiling and waving in a dinghy in the Norwegian fjords — This is how a week of sailing and riding in Norway makes you feel. Credit: Andy Lloyd

Ed Thomsett and Thomas Klingenberg ride through the clouds in Skibotn, Norway — Snowy mountaintops serve as a reminder that at these latitudes winter is never far away. Credit: Andy Lloyd

Thomas Klingenberg rails a berm with a view over the fjord — Thomas rails a berm on one of the rare manmade trails we rode on the trip. Credit: Andy Lloyd

Bike on a yacht and a view inside the cabin — Boat life. Credit: Andy Lloyd

Sunset over a fjord in the Arctic Circle — Sunsets in the Arctic Circle need to be seen to be believed. Credit: Andy Lloyd

Ed Thomsett and Thomas Klingenberg ride a singeltrack trail in Lyngseidet — A snaking line of soil through a carpet of lush green – it doesn't get much more pristine than this. Credit: Andy Lloyd

Bikes lying on the jetty next to a yacht in Norway — Battered, bruised, dirty and sleep-deprived but smiling at the end of the trip. Credit: Andy Lloyd

Thanks to the following for their help organising this trip:

Boreal Yachting

Visit Lygenfjord

Visit Norway

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Riding bikes in the Arctic Circle with MBUK – video

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