Interview with Magnus Alpadine: from Scandinavia to Italy, from the West to the Baltic and beyond!
Magnus Alpadine likes to explore Europe on one of his many bicycles. He took off multiple times cycling for months enjoying cross-continent outings. These are planned ahead by himself. Magnus did gain lots of experience, thus we wanted to ask him how to imagine a journey of his. Here we go!
Bike Infantry:
What is your first cycling experience?
Magnus Alpadine:
I cycled to My job last years. 50 km per Day.
B.I.:
When did you start long-distance cycling?
M.A.:
Summer 2019 I cycled 30 km in germany and Poland.
B.I.:
What type of bicycle do you use?
M.A.:
First I thougt to take My old racingbilke, but thaught about bad road standards so I changed My mind. I bought a second hand low quality chinese ordinary bike but with 21 gears for 60 euro. And till I reached South Italy without problems. There I got a few punctures, thats all and now I'm in goal , Malta.
B.I.:
Did you do some modifications / upgrades to customize it?
M.A.:
I changed wheels to stronger. And mounted Charger from wheelgenerator to cellphone. I also bought komoot navigation program which has been very helpful but difficult to learn. I bought framebag,
rear bags, a warerproof bag and mounted two small rearbags om the front basket, not professional.
B.I.:
Any basic advise to those without experience on long-distance journeys?
M.A.:
I made It through europe with very simle equippment. And Im almoast 60 years.
But I was in quite Good form when I started. If you dont have timelimit or want to do very many kilometers a Day it's not difficult.
B.I.:
How long is your current journey we heard of couple of weeks ago?
M.A.:
Two months now, and home I think I Will Go by train most of the way.
B.I.:
How did you prepare for this adventure?
M.A.:
I planned a lot to go to black sea in Ukraine. Studied russian and more. Then Corona stopped me between Belarus and Ukraine. Quick and total change of plans. After that I planned only One country at the time. Corona stopped more plans, so I ended up in Malta.
B.I.:
Did you laucn from your hometown? Did other cyclists join you on your trip from Scandinavia?
M.A.:
No, but I met a Guy from scisily in North Italy so we cycled most of Italy together.
B.I.:
What do you prefer: cycle till you find a bridge or use a ferry to cross bays and rivers?
M.A.:
Can't say. Depends om many things.
B.I.:
Did you use Warm Showers, Couchsurfing or any other online social platforms to get accommodation?
M.A.:
Slept with couchsurfers 3 nights. Tried many more but with negativen result.
B.I.:
Did you have all the neccesarry tools with you during the journey? Can you fix bicycles yourself?
M.A.:
I brought much. I can fix some things but not advanced things.
B.I.:
How weather-proof are you? Can you recommend readers how to launch for a months long outing?
M.A.:
My old tent and rainclothes are not 100% warerproof. Sometimes I cycle in rain but try to sleep inside that Night. I check weatherforecast and plan so I can stay in a hostel when it comes very rainy days.
B.I.:
How many bikes did you have so far? Which one was your favourite?
M.A.:
I have many old bikes. A 35years old Swedish 10gears racingbilke is favorite.
B.I.:
What do you recommend to do as a warm-up excersise to those who got inspired by your story? Do you start each day with breakfast and a bit of training?
M.A.:
Everyday bicykle to job was Good for me.
B.I.:
Were have you stopped for longer periods? How easy was it to cross borders?
What about Covid-tests?
M.A.:
No longer stops. 2, 3 days in Grodno, Krakow, Brno, Wienna and Castellammare and maybe some more places.
B.I.:
Would you set out to do another journey soon?
M.A.:
Not planned.
B.I.:
Thank you!
Recorded online (November 2020)
Edited by BikeInfantry (January, 2021)
For personal pictures, please visit: Instagram/magnusuteochcyklar