In 2022, Atl Forsvoll (32) has set himself a wild goal. He was going by bike from North Cape to Cape Town – back and forth. To achieve this goal, he prepared by delivering food as a Foodora biker.
When Netavisen calls Forceful, he will be in Cape Town and will be in South Africa next month. Because the journey was arduous, he cycled through all seasons.
– I'm very tired now. It is when a few days pass and the body relaxes that a complete collapse occurs. But the motivation is still good, he told Netavesin.
He spent nearly a year on the journey, namely 19,000 kilometers and 344 days.
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Drama in Iran
He has passed through every possible storm and earthquake, been subjected to police interrogation in Iran, crossed Iraq and passed through military bases in Africa.
He points to one incident in particular as dramatic and terrifying.
– I cycled past a police station in Iran, and I thought that was completely reasonable. But the Iranian police stopped me as a foreigner on a bicycle because I passed a military base, says Forsvoll.
However, there was one problem. He didn't have a stamp in his passport, which led to some hours of drama. The 32-year-old Norwegian was first questioned for two hours, as officials examined photos and messages on his mobile phone.
What he feared most was that they would discover pictures of the friendly strangers who had helped him along the way in Iran.
– I didn't take a lot of photos of people, but everyone I met was very relaxed about it. Finally, I took some photos, including the wine cellar where they were making the wine. He says it is largely banned in Iran.
Forsfall admits that he felt nervous when he was reminded of the pictures, and he quickly took the first opportunity and deleted the pictures before the police looked at them.
– It was an insanely intense experience, admits the Roja native.
-The nicest people I've ever met
He thought he was finished with the police at this time, but already in the next town there was danger on the road again.
– It was clear that they were waiting for me. I was taken to a station or base, and then another interrogation took place. Then they seemed to be examining me with the same questions I had asked the previous time, and then I remained there for three hours.
Although the most terrifying experience happened in the disputed country, he also has many fond memories from there.
– The Iranian authorities are terrible, but Iranian citizens are the nicest people I have met. “You can stand for five minutes and then at least two people will come and want to provide accommodation and food and help me,” says Forsfall, who says Iran is his favorite country of the trip so far.
I got “help” from Haaland
He may not have helped much in the face of Iran's brutal authorities, but he was helped in many places by a well-known Norwegian face.
Yes, you guessed it right: Erling Braut Haaland.
– I must send thanks to Haaland. He has helped me all over Türkiye and the Middle East. Every time angry policemen asked me where I was from, I would answer Norway first. But when you answer Haaland, the atmosphere suddenly becomes very good. He smiles, especially if you say Sandness and say we're practically neighbors.
On Instagram, the Rogaland native tried to contact Haaland's team, but says that did not work.
However, he spent a day off watching Haaland's Manchester City teammates win the Club World Cup, beating Brazilian club Fluminense 4-0 in the final, without Haaland in the squad.
She became a celebrity in South Africa
Although he was in Cape Town for some time, it was not a quiet day. Shortly after his arrival, he competed in an Ironman, a triathlon combined with swimming, cycling and running.
-It went well, that's why I'm so exhausted now. I spent 16 hours and 20 minutes, and the maximum time was 16 hours and 45 minutes, says the 32-year-old.
The Norwegian has also caused a stir in South Africa with this move, and it has already gone viral when he mentioned his Ironman plans to people in the Cape Town area.
– The speaker told the story of “The Biker Vikings.” Then I couldn't walk the streets without taking selfies with people. He says SuperSport in South Africa also interviewed me.
In about a month, a trip home awaits him, where he will bike across West Africa. This is expected to present some financial hurdles.
– I'm afraid of red numbers. I got a bike and clothes, got a job and saved a lot. But now, I may have to ask my grandmother for a small loan, Forsfall warns.
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