Long Way Round (Gulf of Bothnia that is, approx. 1200 miles)

[Stephan]

This was before my Honda days, and true "bike" days as well.

I had read about "Iron Butt Rally" and seen the film "Long Way Round", and was quite inspired of what I saw and read, so why not try some adventure of my own, and why not do it with a vehicle that wasn´t really intended for such trawels?

Why not?

I had the vehicle, a Peugeot Elyséo 100 cc named "Scootris", and the Gulf of Bothnia can be seen on any world map, so I would be reminded of the trip for the rest of my life, just watching the wheatherforecast on TV!

Time to move...made a few preparations to the little Peugeot, mounted a GPS, got a new rear tire and gear oil, motor oil is not an issue on a 2-stroker, packed a small tent, a sleeping bag etc.

I didn´t want to sleep out in the wilderness with bears, wolfes, moose and other scary animals, but it should be a good idea to prepare for the worst.

And off we got, just me and "Scootris".

See here for som pictures and more text:

http://web.comhem.se/stephan.dorsch/scooter/index_en.htm

I enjoyed the trip fully, just to wake up in the morning and get ready for another days ride further into complete wilderness, can´t be beat!

The whole trip took about a week, being off season, we could always find nice cabins and didn´t have to put up the tent, the roads choosen where very low traffic, sometimes we where alone for hours.

"Scootris" has since then got new home, and I have moved up to a Honda CB750.

Hope you enjoyed my little trip!

[Deadly]

Im sorry your bike quit on you but I enjoyed the report and the photos were very nice!   

No matter what your riding there is nothing like an adventure on the road.   

[Uncle Fester]

Great trip, Stephan!  Beautiful country up there!  Makes me want to go get my passport!  (Nope, never got one)...  Some very cool cabins you stayed in as well.  Too bad all the wildlife was camera shy.  One of the great things about scooters vs. motorcycles is all the built in storage you get, like under the seat.  I've bookmarked your site
Yep, too bad about your "Scootris" conking out right near the end, but better than up north, I guess, it would have been a long walk! lol!

[Bumblebee]

Excellent ride report! You don't need no steenking superbike for a measley 1200 miles.

I'm filing this one under research for my several month trip to EU. I like the little cabins.
Are those cabins common throughout Scandinavia?


BTW, in my many years of experience in the wilderness of North America, the wildlife wants less to do with you than you want to do with them. They'll leave you alone as long as you don't bother them or store food in your tent. Just hang your food in a tree a little way away from your tent and enjoy nature.

[luckylindy]

  That was a great report.  Good pics of beautiful country. for doing that ride on a 100cc scooter.

[Stephan]

Glad you enjoyed my report.

Bumblebee: Such small cabins are common at the camping grounds here, but I think it´s a good idea to book before arrival if you want to be sure to get one, before midsummer is off season, so it should not be a problem though.

In Sweden we have an ancient law called "everymans right" which means that you are free to stay overnight wherever you are(!), as long as you are out of sight of the landowners house, in practice you can stay wherever you want, but I am a bit too urbanized to stay out alone in the wilderness at night...

[detdrbuzzard]

great ride report. it reminded me of "what i did for summer vacation"  just before my 14th birthday

[Bumblebee]

Such small cabins are common at the camping grounds here, but I think it´s a good idea to book before arrival if you want to be shure to get one, before midsummer is off season, so it should not be a problem though.

In Sweden we have an ancient law called "everymans right" which means that you are free to stay overnight wherever you are(!), as long as you are out of sight of the landowners house, in practice you can stay wherever you want, but I am a bit too urbanized to stay out alone in the wilderness at night...

Excellent! Thanks.

I like the Everyman's Right law. I so wish we had that here in the states. It would make long range unplanned adventure travel so much easier.

My plan is to ship the motorcycle (R1200GSA) to EU with me and stay about 4 months. No fixed destinations other that the arrival and departure dates. Camping is highly prefered and I'll be staying as far off the beaten tourist paths as possible. I'm going to EU to experience EU, not tourist traps though there are a few specific ones that I'll have on the 'stop at if I pass through the area' list.

It'll be a few years however maybe we can meet up and we can de-urbanize you a little so you can see what this great world is really all about.