Set in the Norwegian winter, “The Best Season” is a new video from Markus Stitz that highlights the joys and challenges of cold-weather bikepacking on a nearly 700-kilometer journey aboard a Tern Orox S12 e-cargo bike. Watch the eight-minute release here…

Photos and video by Markus Stitz

Markus Stitz is back with a fresh video, this time taking on a mid-winter bikepacking trip in the south of Norway that spanned close to 700 frozen kilometers. He rode a Tern Orox S12 e-cargo bike equipped with a pair of 800Wh Bosch batteries, studded 45NRTH Dillinger tires, and all the gear needed to endure the cold. In total, his bike weighed around 55 kilograms (120 pounds) when fully loaded.

  • Winter Bikepacking in Norway
  • Winter Bikepacking in Norway

To prepare for the trip, Markus spent weeks testing gear and riding in sub-zero conditions. “For this trip, I left very little to chance,” he explained. “When conditions leave no margin for error, preparation becomes part of the experience.” Though he ultimately stayed indoors throughout the journey, Markus was prepared for below-freezing nights outside if necessary.

  • Winter Bikepacking in Norway
  • Winter Bikepacking in Norway
  • Winter Bikepacking in Norway

Despite riding an electric bike, Markus noted that the biggest challenge wasn’t battery life but his own endurance. “It was not the two batteries on my e-bike that drained much faster in the cold,” he said. “It was my personal energy levels I had to monitor more often.” Despite the long days spent exposed to the elements, he managed to avoid frostbite and any dire situations, taking advantage of the country’s hospitality infrastructure and carefully checking forecasts each morning, adapting his route and plans as needed.

Winter Bikepacking in Norway

You can follow his weeklong ride in the video above, which forms part of his ongoing work exploring landscapes, slow travel, and human resilience through cycling. And if you’re curious to see more from the region, find a handful of related posts from the archive below.

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