“It’s about wanting something I can’t achieve, that the average guy can do something absolutely impossible,” says a sweaty Atlee Forcefull to TV 2.
On May 25, the wheels began to roll for the 31-year-old as he embarked on a cycling adventure like no other. He planned the course from North Cape to Cape Town in South Africa, and back again.
Nobody has done this before.
Oslo: Tanned and cheerful Atlee Forcefull satisfied with the journey through his homeland so far..
The journey passes through 37 countries and is 45,000 km long, which is 1.1 times around the equator.
– How much time have you estimated for this trip?
– The estimate is 16 months, but it is impossible to say. I’m a few days behind that estimate already, so we’ll see how that goes.
Watch the full track here:
challenges
The Sandnes adventurer knows it’s hard to come up with a concrete plan when you’re embarking on such a journey. He has already faced a number of challenges.
– When it started at the end of May, there was a blizzard in both Tromsø and Alta. So the weather was a lot rougher than expected, but overall it went well, Sandensjoken says and laughs.
Northern Norway Summer: Atle Førsvoll, known as sykkelladden on Instagram, encountered unpredictable weather conditions at the start of the trek. Photo: private
Leave the job
It all started with Førsvoll quitting his job in 2019 because he needed a life change.
– This cycling trip has always been my dream. From North Cape to Cape Town, there are no greater extremes than this.
This is not the first time he has gone down the same path.
– I started this trip in January 2020, but then there was a pandemic and then I had to cancel the whole trip and go home.
Limited Space: There isn’t much that can fit Atle on the bike. In these bags he has, among other things, a change of clothes, a windswept kitchen, some tools and a tent. Picture: Selina Magnussen/TV2
On Tour: There will be plenty of selfies on the way across Europe. He documented much of the trip on his Instagram account @sykkelladden. Photo: private
MANY STOPS: There will be many overnight stays at new locations in Førsvoll. Photo: private
When the 31-year-old returned home after a failed attempt, he began reading books and watching documentaries about the people who made the trip.
– I thought this was something I could manage, but then I wanted to do something that was completely impossible. So I ended up saying I had to make the return trip, which no one had ever done before, says Forceful with great confidence.
Self-actualization project
The aim of the trip is to show that an absolutely normal human being can do this and at the same time to inspire others.
Motivation: Førsvoll has just arrived in Oslo from Gjøvik. The adventurer takes a breath on the ground before continuing his journey. Picture: Selina Magnussen/TV2
– I’ve never been a stronger, faster athlete, so I’m very fascinated by these “strugglers” who keep moving forward year after year. Nansen and Amundsen had already gone to the poles on skis, so cycling and Africa were for me, he says, laughing.
In addition to doing this for himself, he has started a fundraiser to raise money for Save the Children.
IMPORTANT: This t-shirt is one of two shifts that Atle has. For him, it is important that the money goes to a good cause. Picture: Selina Magnussen/TV2
– The money goes to runaway children, and this is important to me. I myself have worked with refugees in Greece and Poland, and I have seen children in these situations. They are the most affected by war and conflict.
You can’t give up
The Førsvoll reiser meg bike was sponsored by Fara Cycling. They made two demands on Førsvoll.
– The only stipulation was that if I gave up the ride, I had to pay for the bike. I can’t afford to give up. The second is that all the kids I’ve met can draw or sign the bike, says the 31-year-old as he points to the drawings he’s received so far.
Graphics: Atle Førsvoll has already met many kids on the road who have made their mark on the bike. Picture: Selina Magnussen/TV2
When Sandnesgauken reached Oslo, he had 2,000 kilometers behind him. He is excited to see what the remaining kilometers on the bike will be like.
– The body is fine, the legs feel good, the butt, I would say, looks fine for the time being. If I can get up tomorrow and bike another 100km, I guess what’s in my head is whether or not I’ll get there.
“Infuriatingly humble internet trailblazer. Twitter buff. Beer nerd. Bacon scholar. Coffee practitioner.”
