Father Castor, what is the NorthCape?
My trip around the United Kingdom and Ireland exactly one year ago taught me at least one thing: understanding what 4,000 kilometers by bike really means. Armed with this experience, I signed up in December for the NorthCape4000 (NC4K), an adventure (not a race) that promises its participants an extraordinary journey, from Italy to Norway.
A few months and several thousand kilometers by bike later, here I am ready to face this new challenge. The NC4K can be taken at one’s own pace, the constraints being to follow the route determined by the organizers, to start together on July 22 and not to finish later than August 15. Given the length of the route - 4,400 km this year -, this represents at least a pace of 180 km/day. However, my vacation time is not extendable and return flights from the North Cape are quite expensive and irregular. So I had to make a choice; mine will be a flight on August 10 from Alta, a small town about 200 km from my finish point.
Unfortunately, I also need to plan another transfer, that from Denmark to Norway. It is set for July 29 at 11:50pm, which leaves me the full day to progress towards the ferry terminal.
These two new time milestones shape a journey quite different from what I had first imagined. To be on time, between Turin and the Frederikshavn ferry terminal, I’ll need to cover no less than 285 km/day. That’s enormous for me and I’m not sure I can do it. I try to approach this new challenge with calm and philosophy, but in reality, I’m a bit scared of what awaits me.
The second part of the journey is barely more cheerful since I now have to ride about 260 km/day to meet my time constraints. If I don’t make it? I’m counting on my lucky star to come up with a last-minute plan B. After all, Western Europe isn’t that big.
If we do the math, I’ll have to ride about 16 days in total to complete the course, with potentially a half-day of rest in the middle, after arriving in Oslo.
For now, here I am on the road to Turin, fully ready to join the other participants and the starting point. This long journey from Bordeaux, I first take by train to Marseille, from where a bus will pick me up to take me to the terminus.
Two days of tourism await me then in the Piedmontese capital, as well as the cyclists’ welcome on Friday afternoon, to pick up my race number and GPS tracker.
Yes indeed! A small specificity of the NC4K, the tracking of participants is available live throughout the event. Of course, the summary of each stage will be available right here, accompanied by a few photos. Although this year, I doubt my ability to write long stories every evening at the bivouac.
To not miss anything of the adventure, live tracking is available here, I am apparently number 261
Hola Ivan, so excited to follow this new adventure! Who knows, we might cross paths in Paris during your journey, if only for some encouragement ;)
Can’t wait to follow this adventure! 🔥
The countdown has begun! I’m thinking of you so much Ivan, I can’t wait to follow you on this incredible adventure! 😘
Quite an adventure in perspective! In difficult moments, open your eyes wide, enjoy the scenery, breathe the fresh air deeply 😄 You’ll probably also have the chance to regularly meet other participants. And above all: Have fun!