PROJECT:
GLOBAL RIDE
The name Global Ride comes from the idea of riding on all of the worlds continents.
This is a project of a lifetime and it has been a dream for many years.
North Cape and Trans Euro Trail Sweden
Travelling to the North Cape had been a dream for many years. From the "Cape" I took the southbound route on Trans Euro Trail through Sweden.
This trip was one of the toughest so far. The rain and the low temperature was at times a real test for both me and the bike. The riding along the beautiful trails was amazing and the feel of nature is really great.
Caucasus
An epic journey through the beautiful Caucasus. Mountains, culture and rough roads in an amazing mix.
Sulfur bath in Tblisi was a highlight on the otherwise dusty track.
Travelling along Abano road in the Georgian mountains gave the most excruciating ride of any trip with steep slopes and narrow roads.
Eastern Europe and the Balkans
A journey to the more far of places of Eastern Europe and through the former Yugoslavia. Apparent traces from the wars with bullet holes in the houses and lots of guns in circulation.
A visit to the monument of Buzludzha in Bulgaria put the offroad skills at place. The crash was inevitable in the high mountains and I got the chance of a workout.
Baltic Region
Poland and the Baltic region offers incredible opportunities for motorcycle adventures. This journey was from Gdynia in Poland to Riga in Latvia.
I got stuck properly in the middle of nowhere in Lithuania and encountered a wild and very hungry dog.
Atlantic Coast
An incredible journey along coast of Denmark and the "Kystrikesvei 17" that stretches all along the Norwegian coast. Magnificent views and roads that are made for adventure motorcycling.
Along the coastal road there are several small ferrys to cross all the beautiful fjords. The most spectacular fjord is the Geirangerfjord which is a UNESCO world heritage.
PROJECT:
T7 RACING
Enduro racing with my Yamaha Ténéré 700 is an exciting challange.
I have competed in both the worlds largest and the worlds longest enduro race.
Stångebroslaget
Stångebroslaget is a part of the Swedish Enduro Classic Series and is located outside of Linköping.
The race is on for 2 hours and the track has everything you can ask for. Ruts, steep hills, mud, grass and sand.
The bike worked amazing. Even the really technical parts of the track was managed without a problem.
Gotland Grand National
Gotland Grand National is the worlds largest enduro race and has over 3 000 participants from all over the world. The race one of three races in the Swedish Enduro Classic Series.
The race is on for 3 hours and is known for the tough terrain with deep mud holes, slippery lime stone and steep hills. In 2018 the race was part of the Red Bull World Enduro Super Series.
The lap is 22 kilometers and I managed to ride 4 laps on my T7.
Beach Race Enduro
The first ever beach race was held in Halmstad and I was at the starting line with my T7.
The track was 5 km along the beach and consisted of both wet sand close to the water and dunes on the upper side of the track.
After a couple of laps the track got really tough to ride with deep tracks and wet sand. Got stuck but could get out and continue the race.
90 minutes of racing gets you tired but it was great fun and a real challenge!
Gripendygnet 24 h
Gripendygnet is a Swedish 24 hour enduro race and one of the longest in the world. You can ride as a team or solo in the "Dakar" class. The most laps on the 18 kilometer track is the winner.
As a Dakar class rider I knew that it would be tough. But tough got close to impossible...
As the race started the weather changed from sunny to skyfall. The rain was extreme and there was issued a warning (category 1) for floods. The worst conditions ever in the race history.
This made the track muddy, wet and slippery - to the point that lots of riders quit the race and some just had to leave their bikes on the track.
Billingen Enduro Challenge
The race was on parts of the track from the World Championship in enduro.
The start was at the bottom of the ski slope and then most of the track was in a active stone quarry. Technical riding with steep slopes, ruts, sand, blocks of rock etc.
The dust was really tough and it was not possible to see the track at all times. A great challenge and exciting riding.
Enduro training with Yamaha Enduro GP Racing Team
The Yamaha Enduro GP Racing Team has been on the racing scene for some 20 years. To take part of their training and experience is really special.
The team manager Joakim Johansson is himself a World Cup race winner and the team has several frontline positions with top riders.
Their base of operations is in Sweden but the races are all over the world.
The training with the team is tough but really rewarding.
PROJECT:
2UP
To ride with a pillion is a great way to explore and discover the world.
British Isles
The British Isles is an amazing destination for any motorcycle rider. Mountains, coastlines, culture and great people.
This adventure took us all the way from Land´s End to John o´Groats and we also took a ferry to cross Ireland.
Gotland
PROJECT:
NOTEBOOK
Adventure riding is not always the long journey to countries far away. Sometimes the ride around the corner is just as exciting and beautiful.
Yamaha Team Scandinavia
I got the opportunity to follow the Pro Superbike team during the first race of the season.
The Yamaha R1 is one of the most iconic bikes on the scene and the roar of the engine is awesome.
Test ride exhibition
A full weekend of test riding different bikes from Yamaha and other brands.
It is always great fun to compare bikes and to meet other riders.
MacGyver Course at Yamaha Motor Scandinavia
Yamaha YXZ1000R
Yamaha YXZ1000R is a brutal machine and it is used for serious offroad driving and rally raids.
The power to weight ratio is amazing and the capability to overtake obstacles is a gut check.
Track Days with Yamaha R1
As a adventure rider I mostly go of the beaten track. This makes it exciting to go on a race track with a high performance Yamaha R1.
Track Days with Filip Backlund is a Swedish event where it is possible to ride on your own bike at a race track.
Riding on a track gives you more confidence and skills outside track. The speed of the R1 is something extra, but it was also real fun to go on the Ténéré around the lap.
Denmark
Suspension School
Visited Niklas Månsson at Månsson Racing to prepare my suspension for the races to come, and also to learn more on suspension in "MacGyver-style".
Niklas has been working on suspensions for many years and are currently working with the Yamaha Enduro GP Team in Sweden.
Iceriding along the coast of Sweden
Studded tires with Michelin
Däckproffsen in Växjö (Sweden) is specialized in race tires and studs. They are are contracted by Michelin and have been in the race industry for many years.
For my winter riding they have made a prototype tire for my bike. It is a pair of Michelin Anakee Wild with street legal studs. This makes it possible for me to ride almost the whole winter in Sweden.
Däckproffsen is owned by the brothers Thomas and Mats Carlsson. Their knowledge on race tires and especially in winter conditions is second to none.
Yamaha Grizzly 700
