We know that everyone has a different approach to these types of adventures, but generally you probably want to sleep well and have no doubts before tackling a multi-day route. We collected all your questions and tried to answer in the most clear way, in order to help you organize this upcoming adventure!
Accreditation and briefing – 10/August/2024
Official Start – 11/August/2024 (morning start)
Time limit: 17/August/2024 (10 a.m.)
Bike – Tyres – Gears
Mother North is definitely a route for gravel bikes or eventually MTB with fast rolling tyres. The outline of the route follows mostly “nordic gravel” routes with some paved sections. 42/45 mm tyres with mixed or fast rolling surface. If wet, some rocky parts can be slippery but we hope for glorious sunshine. We suggest 45mm tyres if you’re not used to long gravel rides.Gearing definitely lighter than 1:1. There will also be some steep bits, pushing the bike for 5 minutes it’s no shame and will help you to stretch your legs.
Luggage Lillehammer
Ask your hotel in Lillehammer to keep your belongings for the days you’ll be riding.Leave your belongings in the car/van if you plan to park it in Lillehammer, it’s mostly very safe to park in the village. We’re planning to have some cardboard boxes at the finish in Lillehammer.
Luggage – Oslo
You can drop a bag, bike bag or bike box in Oslo city at our sponsor’s place if you’re staying/passing by Oslo before the start. Anyway getting a train with the bike packed, allows you not to pay the extra price for the bike ticket (that you would pay if bike is mounted).
Weather and conditions
Expect to have fresh days and cold evenings, if rainy it can be wet and very cold in the woods and in the altitude and the terrain might turn muddy in some sections. Temperature could be close to zero degrees sometimes but also 25 or more if sunny. Checking the weather forecast a couple of days before leaving your place will let you know what’s the right gear to bring. There hopefully won’t be any snow in the trails, even in the mountains.
Mandatory items
- Helmet.
- Front and Rear lights.
- High visibility vest or similar.
- Rain jacket.
- Survival blanket or emergency bivvy bag.
Recommended Items
- Down jacket or synthetic equivalent.
- Something warm if you get stuck in cold/wet weather, check the weather forecast two days before leaving.
- Chain link, small chain oil, tubes, patches, repair for tubeless, extra brake pads, tape, usb battery pack, multi-tool, spare derailleur hanger: if you have one, bring it.
Sleeping system
Consider bringing a lightweight tent if you feel like taking it easy/fast touring. There will also be bivvy places and small “huts” from the DNT (Norwegian Trekking Association) along the route. The most remote part is probably the first section (first day) then you’ll encounter few villages where you can also find accommodations. A bivvy bag and a generally light sleeping system could be the key in the case you want to have a short stop and there’s nothing available around. Again, check the weather forecast before zipping your bags…temperatures and rain/humidity can be crucial elements at night.
Track
Preliminary tracks will be sent by the end of April (see other sections), then the final route will be sent a few weeks before the start. It is very important to us to ride and check the route in June/July and reasonably close to the events so we can be (almost) sure that nothing should be wrong in August. If you are asking yourself: “what’s the difference with Bright Midnight 2023?” well the answer is: “almost everything!”
Here’s a comparison between the two.
Doctor’s note / medical certificate (we will ask you to upload it few weeks before the start)
It’s a document made by your own doctor. It says that your health is good for cycling activity.
People with a sport (the one used for competitions) can use that one to participate to Mother North.
DO NOT SEND ANY MEDICAL CERTIFICATE NOW.
WE WILL SEND YOU A DEDICATED REQUEST FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE START.
Insurance
You must have a valid liability, death, accident and health insurance valid during the event that covers emergency extraction and repatriation insurance.
The organization won’t provide any kind of insurance for the event and will not be held liable for any damage whatsoever that may occur directly and/or indirectly to you or other parties.
DO NOT SEND ANY PROOF OF INSURANCE NOW.
WE WILL SEND YOU A DEDICATED REQUEST FEW WEEKS BEFORE THE START.
Remember that Mother North is not considered a “race”. It’s an unsupported bikepacking adventure where everyone who will complete the route will achieve its own victory.
You can find several “travel/sport” insurances online that will cover you for a week or a year for quite a cheap price.