This Woman Proved That A Bicycle Can Take You Anywhere

Belén, a Spanish cyclist, shared her story about how she left her regular job and decided to start travelling on a bicycle.

Her journey began when she met Tristan and convinced her that a bicycle can take you anywhere you want. In April 2015, Tristan geared up for a European bike tour after previously crossed the United States from east to west coast for the Teenage Cancer Trust. After a year and a half on the road, he proved that cycling can be a way of travelling long distance.

Being an amateur cyclist, Belén encountered trials along the way but after four months of travelling together around Norway, she eventually enjoyed the experience.

 

I understand now why they say Lofoten is Norway's gem. These past days we have been exploring Moskenesøya from our lovely (and Instagram famous) cabin in Hamnøy. We've hiked, cycled and kayaked our way around to only find insanely beautiful spots behind every corner. Looking forward to take the ferry back to mainland tomorrow but… we are definitely coming back here in winter. #amazinglofoten #lofotenplanet #eliassenrorbuer

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Jul 2, 2017 at 12:10pm PDT

 

We loaded our bikes into the ferry today and sailed our way to Bodø to start cycling through along the rest of Norway's west coast. Until now, our bike tour has been quite the adventure. From 500m cliff drops, to white sand beaches, to stormy peaks… The next phase of the journey promises longer hours on the saddle and waaaaay more hills. I'm excited to share the stories ahead with you! Above are the views from our hike to Reinebringen.

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Jul 3, 2017 at 11:52am PDT

As we are currently trapped in heavy rain having to probably hide in our tent tomorrow… I look back on our lucky sunny days in the Lofoten islands. The roads in Norway are incredibly beautiful to cycle on but there's something special going on around these red cabins that makes Hamnøy a little artic paradise. #whpmultiply #eliassenrorbuer #lofotenplanet #amazinglofoten

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Jul 8, 2017 at 1:43pm PDT

A bit more than a month into our Norwegian cycle tour and this lifestyle feels very real already. My body is slowly adapting to the change and I sometimes miss the "easy" life but… I wouldn't trade it back. The reason is that every day I get an unexpected story, a new adventure. I wake up knowing nothing but the direction I'm cycling towards and that makes me very happy. We are very grateful for having the support of Specialized as they were the ones to believe in our two wheeled project. #specialized_nlbe #iamspecialized_adv #specialized

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Jul 11, 2017 at 11:30am PDT

Hi there from kilometre 1200! We are speeding up these days as we want to reach southern Norway as soon as possible, the most challenging but beautiful part of the country. In the meantime, the hills and head wind haven't been helpful at all but… Can't really complain when we get to rest on spots like this one. Are you guys planning any summer escape soon? See you from the road!

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Jul 19, 2017 at 9:56am PDT

When travelling, you experience this karma where things seem to inexplicably fall into place. Harsh head winds, long rides, storms, pain… They are all eventually repaid with some other lucky events. What are your thoughts about this?

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Jul 23, 2017 at 12:09pm PDT

Back on Instagram! It's been a bit more than a month without a phone but somehow I've managed to survive! Who would have known that life nowadays is still possible without a phone. In this time, Tristan and I have made it all the way to Førde and are ready for our last month on Norwegian roads. It's time to embrace those mountains before they are gone! 🚴🏼🚴🏼‍♀️

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Aug 29, 2017 at 2:35am PDT

It's already been 3 months on the road and our final destination (Bergen) is only a couple hundred kilometres away. Unfortunately, I fell off my bike a couple of days ago and can't fully cycle until the end line but… I'll hitchhike/push/walk and pedal my way there slowly! Not stopping now, no way! Spot me on the picture? 🚴🏼‍♀️ #whpgreatoutdoors

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Sep 4, 2017 at 12:22am PDT

One of the best things about bicycle travel is finding very quite roads and paths where cars are not allowed in and therefore, are usually empty. This is one of those magic spots we unexpectedly discovered on the way. One day I hope to live somewhere close to this kind of charm. Nature hides so many gems.

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Sep 5, 2017 at 4:22am PDT

Our Sequoia Expert bikes are keeping up so nicely. We've ridden them for 3 months non stop and almost done 2500km through asphalt, gravel, sand and grass. Just enough to know they'll be just fine in the future (more defying) trips we are already planning for next year! What do you think about our tent location for the night? (PS: See those white spots? It's our helmets!)

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Sep 6, 2017 at 11:30am PDT

A whole weekend ahead and so many roads to choose from. Enjoy the last days of summer! (Although… It's pretty much Autumn in Norway already). 📷 by: @tristanbogaard

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Sep 9, 2017 at 2:28am PDT

Norwegians do know where to build their homes.

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Sep 10, 2017 at 11:16am PDT

We are 2 weeks away from finishing our Norwegian bike tour and new adventures are knocking on the door. Guess where will be heading next? Tip: 🚞🇪🇺🏔 – Thanks, @daniel_ernst for the lovely picture!

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Sep 13, 2017 at 2:47am PDT

We are just a few days away from finishing our Norwegian bike tour and we couldn't be spending them in a better way. Our bikes are parked for the weekend while our friend Trond is showing us around the Hardangerfjord. It really seems that Norway is fully prepared for the autumn!

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Sep 22, 2017 at 11:48am PDT

Made it to Bergen! It's taken 4 months, 2725 km and many challenges, but I am proud to have made it to the end in one piece and on my own strength. We've seen so much on the way that it's time to sit back now and enjoy the memories and images calmly. Norway, you are one incredible country. 🇳🇴 Lovely picture by @tristanbogaard . (We both know I make the best model 😉)

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Sep 25, 2017 at 10:24am PDT

Leaving Norway! It's been 4 wonderful months cycling around this incredible country. We couldn't be more happy with our little Sequoias, who have survived quite a few challenges on the way without any issue. But now… A new project is starting! From tomorrow on we will be starting our Interrail month pass heading towards the Alps. We are on a mission to see how easy (or difficult) it is to take a bike on a train. See you guys on the tracks! 🚂🏔 #specialized_nlbe #iamspecialized_adv #specialized

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Sep 27, 2017 at 10:25am PDT

Mid way on our @interraileu by bike trip. We've crossed the continent from Bergen to Milan in 15 days and cycled the most emblematic parts of it. We are now planning to head further south and then back into the French Alps for the coming weeks. I look forward to the challenge of finding mountains more astonishing than the Dolomites!

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Oct 12, 2017 at 1:25am PDT

We just cycled the Mont-Cenis pass crossing borders into France with the first snowfall. The wind was blowing hard against us making it challenging to even pedal downwards! But we have been received into the warmth of a friend's house and are now exchanging stories about Norway. This lake was one of our last expeditions in this amazing country.

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Oct 22, 2017 at 7:03am PDT

For the past month, Tristan and I have been using our Interrail pass to travel from Norway to (and through) the Alps with our bicycles. The idea was to take the train to the cities and then cycle our way to the mountains, where tracks no longer reach. It's sometimes a bit challenging (as some countries seem to hate bicycles in trains), but if you are looking for a new experience involving awesome stories, cycling and nature then… You should do it! Go to @tristanbogaard 's YouTube account if you want to follow our trip and learn how to put a bike on a train in different countries. @interraileu #interrail

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Oct 27, 2017 at 12:36am PDT

It's been a couple of nice weeks cycling around the French Alps, but it's now time to slowly head back down the mountains as snow is coming with no intention to leave. We'll be heading back to the Netherlands as we cross parts of Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany and Belgium within this month. Let us know if you are in the area! . Trying out the new Canon M5 with @tristanbogaard !

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Nov 5, 2017 at 1:45am PST

I didn't know that travelling by bike was a "thing" until I met Tristan. I never even realised that a bicycle could take you as far as you want in the world. We are now 3400km into our European journey and even though the tour is almost done for 2017, new plans are already popping up for the next year. Any suggestions for us? 🚴🏼‍♀️🚴🏼

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Nov 12, 2017 at 12:41pm PST

We are 3 cycling days away from finishing our bike tour around Western Europe for this year. It’s been 6 months, 8 countries and close to 4000km. Most of the ride we owe to the tremendous support of @specialized_nlbe and @ortlieb_waterproof , as their products have made and saved this journey multiple times. Trying out the Sequoia has been a breeze (one chain cleaning session as the only maintenance) and the bags saved so much of our gear when our tent got flooded or when we got heavily rained on. What you see in the picture is everything we have needed and carried with us during half a year of travel. You don’t need that much at all! Are you considering you own bike tour in the near future? Write us if you have any questions!

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Nov 19, 2017 at 12:46am PST

Norway must be the most special country I’ve visited up to date. I can’t even imagine how magical it must become covered in snow. 2018 goals!

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Dec 4, 2017 at 11:19am PST

Thank you all for the support on my YouTube video about cycling Norway and this new lifestyle I’ve just started. Many of you said it looked like a trailer to a longer movie! So… I‘ll have to start filming to make it happen! If you didn’t have the chance to check it out yet and would like to, the link is on my bio!

A post shared by Belén Castelló (@belletoscan) on Dec 7, 2017 at 12:10pm PST