Fin MaddenTouring on a Brompton + Tips for Cycling in Switzerland

Fin MaddenTouring on a Brompton + Tips for Cycling in Switzerland

In Episode 002 of the podcast, Fin shares his experiences cycling across Europe on a Brompton and tells us about some amazing cyclosportive events he's taken part in.

I first met Finn in 2015 when I took a teaching job in southern Sweden. Somebody heard I liked cycling and said “you should meet Finn, he’s also a crazy cyclist”. Needless to say, we got on really well, and although we lived 100km away from each other, we did manage to get together a few times throughout the year for some pretty epic road and mountain biking fun. Having done a bit of touring myself prior to this, Finn and I started sharing stories about our experiences travelling by bike.

I Googled, “can you ride 100km a day on a Brompton?”and the answer was yes.

When Finn told me he used a Brompton, a bike designed as a compact folding commuter bike, something that is traditionally tucked under a seat on a train, or thrown in the trunk of a car, and rode it through 11 European countries and 5400km over two months. The next year he did a bike and sailing trip from Sweden to Spain and back. And just like that, my world changed and I started looking at folding bikes as a possible method of touring. As an expat teacher, I wanted to find a way to tour during holidays, while not paying a small fortune for my bike each time I wanted to travel by plane. Three years later I ended up buying a Bike Friday New World Tourist. Had I not met Finn and had a chance to hear his stories, it definitely never would have happened.

I ended up doing four countries in one day… I did Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria and Germany. And had lunch in Germany.

While many people opt to use bicycles as a means of travel that is faster than walking, but slower than a car, for guys like Finn and I, cycling is a part of our lives, and, by extension, they become a central aspect of our travel experience. From the long epic adventure cycling and camping across thousands of kilometres, short getaways with a loved one, cycling can be adapted to fit into any tour. More importantly, a bicycle tour doesn’t have to start and end on the bike, but can adapted as necessary. Such was the case when Finn and his wife Elaine planned their cross-Sweden tour, but decided to change their plans when the hot (Swedish) weather became too much.

It was crazy, bailing on a bike tour in Sweden because of the heat.

Unlike most cyclists, Finn has challenged himself repeatedly by entering big cycling events in Sweden and Norway, and also doing the Everest Challenge two years in a row. From doing cycling events for the simple reason that that is what people do, riding in Norway in memory of a friend that passed away, to doing the Everest Challenge twice in order to raise money for people in need, Finn has shown to have the kind of grit and determination that many people only dream of. He even kind of knows when enough is enough and is not afraid to throw in the towel once the objective is achieved.

It started in the 50s. I was there for its 50th anniversary and there was like, 20 guys who had done every year. And these are guys, in their 80s, and, it’s incredible, but I didn’t really want to just keep doing the same race.

Dreaming about future tours is something that cyclists/bike tourists always have on their minds. Finn dreams to tour somewhere less travelled, a place that would challenge every aspect of his cycling skill, and to experience a remote adventure of nature and wilderness. However, this epic adventure will have to wait a few years, as he is about to have his first child and will be relegated to safer touring options with a Thule baby carriage attached to the back of his bike.

Cheers Finn. Keep on pedalling.

To support the Bike...

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BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City  - Day 9, Aug 13, 2019

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City - Day 9, Aug 13, 2019

Beautiful gorge, strong headwind, and reuniting with old/new friendsTo support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures orhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures Follow me at…WEBSITE: http://www.biketouradventures.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPQl_pNcMZA-hHckhVrpmaw FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/biketouradventures/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bike_tour_adventures/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BikeTourAdv ITUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bike-tour-adventures/id1464406852 Show SponsorsThe Bike Tour Adventures podcast is incredibly lucky to have some amazing corporate sponsors. Check these great companies out and feel free to use my PROMO codes.Redshift Sports - Discount code: BPA15Panorama Cycles - Discount code: BPA10Raceday Fuel - Discount code: BPA10

15 Elo 20199min

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City  - Day 8, Aug 12, 2019

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City - Day 8, Aug 12, 2019

Leaving Quebec City to start heading back to Ottawa. Lots of downhill, retracing our previous route, and staying with amazing Warmshowers hosts.To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures orhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures Follow me at…WEBSITE: http://www.biketouradventures.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPQl_pNcMZA-hHckhVrpmaw FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/biketouradventures/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bike_tour_adventures/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BikeTourAdv ITUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bike-tour-adventures/id1464406852 Show SponsorsThe Bike Tour Adventures podcast is incredibly lucky to have some amazing corporate sponsors. Check these great companies out and feel free to use my PROMO codes.Redshift Sports - Discount code: BPA15Panorama Cycles - Discount code: BPA10Raceday Fuel - Discount code: BPA10

15 Elo 20195min

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City - Day 7, Aug 11, 2019

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City - Day 7, Aug 11, 2019

A short 50km+ ride from one cousin's house to another. We followed an old converted train route from St. Agapit to Levis, crossed the old bridge into Quebec City and then started climbing into the hills.To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures orhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures Follow me at…WEBSITE: http://www.biketouradventures.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPQl_pNcMZA-hHckhVrpmaw FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/biketouradventures/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bike_tour_adventures/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BikeTourAdv ITUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bike-tour-adventures/id1464406852 Show SponsorsThe Bike Tour Adventures podcast is incredibly lucky to have some amazing corporate sponsors. Check these great companies out and feel free to use my PROMO codes.Redshift Sports - Discount code: BPA15Panorama Cycles - Discount code: BPA10Raceday Fuel - Discount code: BPA10

12 Elo 20198min

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City - Day 6, Aug 8, 2019

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City - Day 6, Aug 8, 2019

Sima's first 100km day. Almost made it to Quebec City. We decided to call it quits at Neuville, where my cousin picked us up. Since we were going 40km outside of Quebec City on the south side of the shore, we didn't feel as if we cheated, since we would finish our cycle to the city after a couple days spent with family.To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures orhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures Follow me at…WEBSITE: http://www.biketouradventures.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPQl_pNcMZA-hHckhVrpmaw FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/biketouradventures/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bike_tour_adventures/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BikeTourAdv ITUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bike-tour-adventures/id1464406852 Show SponsorsThe Bike Tour Adventures podcast is incredibly lucky to have some amazing corporate sponsors. Check these great companies out and feel free to use my PROMO codes.Redshift Sports - Discount code: BPA15Panorama Cycles - Discount code: BPA10Raceday Fuel - Discount code: BPA10

12 Elo 20196min

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City - Day 5, Aug 7, 2019

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City - Day 5, Aug 7, 2019

An uneventful day of riding along the beautiful St. Laurence River to Trois Rivieres. stayed with a Warmshowers host Lester Parent and had a really great time going around the city and having the history explained to us.To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures orhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures Follow me at…WEBSITE: http://www.biketouradventures.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPQl_pNcMZA-hHckhVrpmaw FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/biketouradventures/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bike_tour_adventures/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BikeTourAdv ITUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bike-tour-adventures/id1464406852 Show SponsorsThe Bike Tour Adventures podcast is incredibly lucky to have some amazing corporate sponsors. Check these great companies out and feel free to use my PROMO codes.Redshift Sports - Discount code: BPA15Panorama Cycles - Discount code: BPA10Raceday Fuel - Discount code: BPA10

8 Elo 201910min

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City - Day 4, Aug 6, 2019

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City - Day 4, Aug 6, 2019

Continued challenges with Sima's bike, a phone mishap, and all about riding the amazing Chemin du Roy.To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures orhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures Follow me at…WEBSITE: http://www.biketouradventures.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPQl_pNcMZA-hHckhVrpmaw FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/biketouradventures/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bike_tour_adventures/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BikeTourAdv ITUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bike-tour-adventures/id1464406852 Show SponsorsThe Bike Tour Adventures podcast is incredibly lucky to have some amazing corporate sponsors. Check these great companies out and feel free to use my PROMO codes.Redshift Sports - Discount code: BPA15Panorama Cycles - Discount code: BPA10Raceday Fuel - Discount code: BPA10

7 Elo 201914min

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City - Day 2, Aug 3rd, 2019

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City - Day 2, Aug 3rd, 2019

We leave the Glengary Highland Games and right away end up having to fix a flat without the correct tools. we rode about 75km and refuse to spend $40 for a place to pitch a tent at a local campground and end up camping at a national historic monument.To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures orhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures Follow me at…WEBSITE: http://www.biketouradventures.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPQl_pNcMZA-hHckhVrpmaw FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/biketouradventures/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bike_tour_adventures/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BikeTourAdv ITUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bike-tour-adventures/id1464406852 Show SponsorsThe Bike Tour Adventures podcast is incredibly lucky to have some amazing corporate sponsors. Check these great companies out and feel free to use my PROMO codes.Redshift Sports - Discount code: BPA15Panorama Cycles - Discount code: BPA10Raceday Fuel - Discount code: BPA10

4 Elo 201910min

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City, Day 1 - Aug 2, 2019

BTA Ridecast: Ottawa to Quebec City, Day 1 - Aug 2, 2019

Daily Ride Cast about my experiences while touring. This tour is my wife's first tour and she will have a lot to share as we go through this tour together. To support the Bike Tour Adventures podcast, follow the links below:https://www.patreon.com/bikepackadventures orhttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/bikepackadventures Follow me at…WEBSITE: http://www.biketouradventures.com YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPQl_pNcMZA-hHckhVrpmaw FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/biketouradventures/ INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/bike_tour_adventures/ TWITTER: https://twitter.com/BikeTourAdv ITUNES: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bike-tour-adventures/id1464406852 Show SponsorsThe Bike Tour Adventures podcast is incredibly lucky to have some amazing corporate sponsors. Check these great companies out and feel free to use my PROMO codes.Redshift Sports - Discount code: BPA15Panorama Cycles - Discount code: BPA10Raceday Fuel - Discount code: BPA10

3 Elo 201914min

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