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Marielle Jauring
Marielle has cycled around the world once – now she’s aiming for lap two
She has cycled more than 50,000 kilometers in just the past four years. She has crossed the United States and Canada, cycled around Australia and New Zealand, traveled through 15 European countries in 47 days—and now she’s about to set off on her next adventure.
We met Marielle Jauring, known as “The Biking Viking” on Instagram, to talk about why she believes the world should be explored from the saddle of a bicycle. Using a bike as a means of transport has always been a natural choice for Marielle. She grew up on Frösön in Östersund with her mother, Inger, and her twin sister, Annikki.
“We were a family that didn’t always have the best financial conditions, but we were rich in love, conversation, and togetherness. Since we couldn’t afford to own a car, the bicycle became a natural mode of transport. I have clear memories of how our mom would pick us up from preschool by bike with a trailer, in all kinds of weather. At an early age, we would go on day trips of 30 kilometers, finding beautiful places where we pitched a tent and stayed overnight before cycling back home the next day. Growing up this way shaped me as a person—girls can take care of themselves, nothing is impossible, and with a smile, you can go far.”
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The cycling trip across the United States became the starting point for Marielle’s cycling adventures. The following year, she decided to cycle through Australia. But after some thought and research, she felt it would be too short—so instead, she chose to cycle all the way around Australia. A modest little journey of 16,000 kilometers.
Marielle emphasizes how important it is to prioritize safety when planning adventures and trips.
“Health and safety always come first. Just as you need proper clothing to keep you warm in cold conditions, you also need to be prepared to rethink, stop, or pause if something happens.”
After 12,000 kilometers in the saddle, temperatures in Australia began to rise to as high as 50°C during the day. Marielle then decided to take a break and wait for the cooler autumn weather. She took her bike and flew to the cooler neighboring country of New Zealand, where she spent just over a month cycling 4,700 kilometers around both islands before returning to Australia to complete the final 4,000 kilometers.
Today, she has cycled more than the equivalent of one lap around the globe, across more than 20 countries—and she describes herself as an “experience millionaire.”
“I have so many incredible memories from my travels. The feeling of closing the loop after 109 days of cycling around Australia. Waking up in my tent surrounded by what feels like a beautiful postcard. And all the amazing people you meet! But of course, none of it would be as special without the challenges and trials you face along the way.”
The challenges Marielle talks about with a smile include cycling for ten days through the Australian outback in 40-degree heat, with so many flies around her that it was hard to see the road. Or when she was nearly crushed during a storm in Poland, as large trees fell like matchsticks around her tent.
“Not to mention when I accidentally ended up on Highway 407 in Toronto and had to be helped by the police to get off it,” Marielle laughs, shaking her head slightly.
Excerpt from the diary
I fasten my two panniers onto the bike, and on the rack sits my dry bag with a tent, sleeping bag, and camping stove in its usual place. I notice that the mornings are getting colder. I’ve been warned by several truck drivers that winter is raging at full force just 200 kilometers west of me, where I was the day before, with strong winds and heavy snowfall. I quickly hop on and start pedaling up a couple of steep hills, admiring the view and hoping the downhill sections won’t be too steep, since I have a broken rear brake and 780 kilometers left to the nearest bike shop that carries brake pads compatible with my brakes.
So here I am, out in the Canadian wilderness after cycling halfway across the country, now setting my sights on Halifax—my final destination for crossing Canada.
– Marielle Jauring, 2019
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ABOUT MARIELLE JAURING
Age:
37 years
Favorite Woolpower garments:
Zip Turtleneck LITE – An amazing sweater that I use almost every day when cycling. It provides just the right amount of warmth, breathes well, and I appreciate the high collar since I otherwise have a lot of issues with my neck getting cold. It also works perfectly under my Primaloft jacket on colder days without feeling bulky.
Long Johns 200 – These have become my go-to base garment when I sleep. Super warm and comfortable long underwear that I love lounging around in, and they also work great for cycling on colder days.
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