Episode 82: Russell Nankervis

Cycling Odyssey: Crossing Continents on a Bikepacking Adventure from the North Cape to Tarifa

In this episode I spoke with guest Russell Nankervis, an avid adventurer whose zest for exploration began in childhood. Russell’s bikepacking journey took him from the northernmost point of Europe, Nord Cape in Norway, to the southernmost tip, Tarifa in Spain. This was a dream he meticulously planned during the pandemic, aiming to complete it before his 30th birthday.

This wasn’t Russell’s first foray into travelling on a bike. Indeed, fresh out of school and at just 18 years of age, he took a flight to Laos and spent a few weeks cycling around the country. With little more than a basic paper map to use for navigation, he was well out of his comfort zone, but that passion and curiosity to explore places on a bicycle held him in good stead. He finished that adventure wanting more, and would return just a few months later to cycle through Vietnam.

After those journeys, Russell transitioned to focus his cycling solo no mountain biking. He’d spend three years actually racing events competitively in Europe, and in 2017 he even got to represent Australia at the Mountain Bike World Cup in Cairns. A real achievement he could be proud of. But his time racing mountain bikes also served up a fair bit of wanderlust to be free of training constraints and go and explore on two wheels once more.

Nine years on from that first trip in Laos, Russell finally found himself at the North Cape in Arctic Norway, with nothing but adventure ahead of him. A crossing of Europe about to start, after planning out a trip for years I’m sure it felt good to get going.

Russell shares his experiences of wild camping in remote regions, the highs and lows of his journey, and the unexpected challenges he faced, like being blown off his bike in Norway and navigating through floodwaters in Spain. He also reflects on the cultural richness and diverse landscapes he encountered, from the serene forests of Sweden to the bustling streets of southern Spain.

In addition to recounting his adventure, Russell discusses the importance of being open to new experiences and the kindness of strangers he met along the way. He also touches on his background in competitive mountain biking and how it prepared him for this epic journey.

Russell has documented his incredible journey in a book titled “Crossing Continents: A Cycling Odyssey from Norway to Spain,” which I definitely encourage you to seek out. You can also follow him on instagram via – @russ_nankervis

The Seek Travel Ride podcast