Two of a Kind: Bikepacking Tatra Mountains – Slovakia (Video)

In 2021, Anselm Pahnke and Raphael Bitsos traveled to Slovakia for a five-week bikepacking trip to get to know a new corner of Europe. Their original intent was to design and document a new off-road route to be shared here on the site, but as the trip unfolded, the story revealed itself as one of two friends on their first extended bikepacking trip together, getting to know each other better through the shared effort as they simultaneously developed a deeper understanding of Slovakia. You can watch their fun and beautifully shot 13-minute video below, followed by a small photo gallery and some behind-the-scenes perspective (note that the video is in German and English subtitles may not be turned on by default).

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Words by Anselm Pahnke (@anderswo) and Raphael Bitsos (@connecting_roots)

Together we want to spend five weeks exploring the Slovakian Tatras on our bikes, depending on our own muscle power to cover the entire distance of the route. A few clothes, a ukulele, and a gasoline stove for hot meals along the way are all we need. In direct contact with our surroundings and ourselves, hurdles and bridges arise in our nature-related way of living and traveling.

Initially still cautious, we become more and more daring, especially through the exchange of our fears, and trust is built between us. The bikes help us carry the essentials we need and enable us to easily roam the mountains of the small and large Tatras in the midst of wild Slovakia. There’s pure fun and excitement ahead, paired with the profound moments of reflection that everyone probably encounters at some point.

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Every beautiful encounter is preceded by vulnerability—there is no other way. My grandfather said to me, “The moment I set off, the biggest hurdle is basically overcome. I muster the greatest courage to dare to take the first step from a vision.” In our friendship and on this journey, we have learned that thoughts, emotions, and conflicts are very similar. After the many trips that each of us has experienced for ourselves, we experience something new: growing together.

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We are two traveling souls with a desire for simplicity. On this journey, we always follow our feelings more than a road or a concrete plan. Uncertain paths require trust in ourselves and especially in our environment. Curiosity and hope are what drive us. Tears fall, we catch our breath, we can hardly look each other in the eye, then we do it anyway. We hold each other tight. We have to be strong out here, but behind our fear, we really feel ourselves: that place where I don’t want to see and hardly withstand myself, but my good friend sees me. It’s like nature itself, unpredictable inside and out.

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