“I sound like Darth Vader”, Clare muttered as we crunched our way up an increasingly tougher section of hike-a-bike. It was summer 2018 in the middle of the Norwegian mountains and we were thankful that the sun was out for once but cursing as our bodies started to feel the strain of
lifting heavily laden touring bikes up and over yet more rock faces…
Clare and I were on an expedition to retrace a cycle tour my grandfather did in the early 1950s across Norway’s West Coast, which he documented in a photo album that I, unfortunately, hadn’t come across until after his death. Grandad Bob had kept this adventure close to his chest. His old images showed a young, independent and carefree man who, having returned from The War, oozed a love for travel and new places, more often that not with a wry smile on his face. Turns out, his trusty folding camera captured many adventures – from air races in Algeria, to driving up the infamous Stelvio pass, to this cycle tour across Scandinavia. These old photographs allowed me to go back in time and connect with a man the same age as myself. I wanted to experience the same places as him, ride the same roads and live in his shoes for at least a moment! This bikepacking trip to Norway was happening one way or another…
The hike-a-bike was turning into physical turmoil, we often had to carry the bikes up boulders and through giant rock gardens. I was channelling my inner Rough-Stuff fellowship with the deep seated thought that this section would get us to Haga, one of the places where we were certain my Grandfather had cycled through. We were struggling, both body and mind were turning to mush. So, it was a feeling of pure elation when we reached tarmac again – Clare kissing the road surface in joy! Little did we know that within 24 hours we’d be in the exact locations of many of my grandfathers images; more than we’d ever anticipated…
Words, Photos & Filming
Mat Waudby
Clare Nattress
We cannot thank Marius Nilsen – Norweigan based bikepacker and photographer – enough for his help in locating many of the areas where my grandfathers images were shot and putting us on the right path…
Film Edit
Joel Christof
RAINSPOTTING
Six of us alight the sleeper train at Corrour - the highest, remotest station on the West Highland Line - and 'go for a w̶a̶l̶k̶ ride' through the wintry, gloomy Grampian Mountains of Scotland. We track the old-established north-south drove roads and, in true drover style, explore the alluring moorland voids in between...
by STEFAN AMATO & DAVID SEAR
RAINSPOTTING
Six of us alight the sleeper train at Corrour - the highest, remotest station on the West Highland Line - and 'go for a w̶a̶l̶k̶ ride' through the wintry, gloomy Grampian Mountains of Scotland. We track the old-established north-south drove roads and, in true drover style, explore the alluring moorland voids in between...
