Mother North: Marco Casadio’s Norwegian adventure with the Aspide Short Supercomfort

Every climb burns, every landscape heals. That’s the perfect balance of Mother North

At 11:00 PM, the plane lands in Oslo.
Marco’s bike doesn’t.
Sometimes adventures begin like this: with a form to fill out, hope hanging on the vague promise of a lost baggage office clerk, and the darkness of the Norwegian night as a backdrop.
But Mother North doesn’t wait: 1,000 km, 16,000 meters of elevation gain, a loop starting and ending in Lillehammer. For Marco Casadio of the collective Sauvage Squad, this is only the beginning.

A first taste of the North

Thankfully, the bike arrives just in time. The day before the start becomes a relaxed opportunity to meet other bikepackers.
On the bike, you ride alone, that’s true, but at the table, you sit together. While the rain pours outside, laughter inside helps ease the pre-race tension.

The next morning, at 9 sharp, the pedals click into place.
Day one flies by effortlessly. Fresh legs, 180 kilometers, and Norway’s wild beauty gradually revealing itself. When Marco meets fellow riders, they ride together, chatting to make the journey lighter.
As evening approaches, Marco chooses to stop for dinner, avoiding pushing too hard too soon. Some continue toward Grimsdalen, but the road ahead is long, finding and sticking to your own rhythm is key.

Into the heart of the Norwegian night

3:30 AM. Back on the bike, into the darkness.
Black metal in his ears, wheels rolling toward Grimsdalen.
When the sun finally rises, it finds Marco on the Grimsdalsvegen, a gravel road cutting through a valley that had been waiting for daylight to reveal its beauty. Breakfast in Dovre, then on to Otta and Vinstra.

Marco’s choice of saddle, the Aspide Short Supercomfort, ensures that every kilometer isn’t turned into suffering, allowing the journey to take shape naturally.

Dancing with the storm, finding peace among the fjords

The Mjølkevegen opens up ahead: one of Norway’s legendary gravel crossings, full of rustic charm, tradition, and untouched nature.
Then the rain comes, relentless.
At 1,200 meters, the wind is unyielding, visibility near zero. Cars pass indifferently, perhaps it’s normal here to encounter cyclists battling a storm.
By the time Marco reaches Beitostølen, he’s drenched and shivering, but his plan remains intact.
The Selle San Marco bikepacking bags have done their job, keeping everything dry and proving, once again, that there’s no such thing as good or bad weather — only good or bad gear.

The next day brings more rain.
Marco takes advantage of it to rest, delaying departure until 11. A steaming coffee shared with fellow riders helps warm the body and recharge the spirit.
When a ray of sun finally breaks through, it’s the signal to get moving again. Norway’s cruel beauty shines through, the incredible scenery makes the climbs feel lighter.
Pedaling becomes meditation, and the final stretch toward Hemsedal brings a deep sense of peace.

Between history and legend

The next day begins with the Mørkedalen Pass, leading Marco toward the Borgund Stavkirke, a medieval wooden church telling stories of the past. Once, there were 1,000 such churches across Norway; today, only 28 remain.

From there, he rides the historic Vindhellavegen, a serpentine road connecting Bergen to Oslo, before reaching his first fjord: Lærdalsøyri.
The wind picks up, and so does the pain in Marco’s knee, protesting the intense effort.
Still, he pushes forward: 18 more kilometers and 1,300 meters of elevation remain before finally stopping in Flåm for a well-earned burger and a night’s rest in a creaky old wooden house.

Conquering Mother North

The Rallarvegen greets riders with 80 kilometers of wild highland landscapes through the Hardangervidda plateau. The route twists and rolls all the way to Finse, a village inaccessible by car, before finishing at Haugastøl.
A final night in Gol marks the realization that the finish line is close, Lillehammer is now just one day away.

When the last climb finally reveals the village church, the dream of conquering Mother North becomes reality.
An unforgettable route, one that isn’t just a race against distance but a direct confrontation with oneself.
An inner journey, where Norway’s landscapes become mirrors reflecting determination, and the bike and saddle serve as silent, loyal witnesses.

“The fatigue, the cold, the rain... they’re just details.
When you ride through landscapes this vast, you realize you’re not the one conquering the road, the road is shaping you.”

@marco.casadio

@sauvagesquad