This inspirational challenge witnesses three world class athletes, Jenny Tough, Fredrika Ek and Markus Stitz, ride 7,000km, hike 7,000m and camp at destinations throughout Europe this summer,  showing outdoor enthusiasts and fitness fanatics that whatever the weather you can always do more, with Nikwax. 

From left to right: Markus Stitz, Fredrika Ek and Jenny Tough.

The awe inspiring team has already enjoyed some unique and memorable moments, with compelling content and daily posts on the challenge being shared on the Nikwax social channels and a microsite outlining the challenge  www.Nikwax.com/DoMoreWithNikwax

Through this exciting journey, Nikwax hopes to encourage  others to try their own micro adventure. Even if it’s just a small walk, run, hike or camping trip, they are fostering others to celebrate, connect and share their own experiences using  #DoMoreWithNikwax.

Challenge Update

After a 4.30am start embarking from the port of Dover on July 12th, Markus Stitz kicked off the first leg of the Nikwax challenge, cycling the length of the UK and arriving at Gretna Green on the Scottish Borders by the following evening, nailing an astonishing 750k worth of leg burning riding in just two days.  Charging on through the Borders and on to Fort William, after a full days hiking Markus ascended Ben Nevis, reaching a misty covered summit of some 1345m. 

Finally heading back down the East Coast to Hull to hand over to Frederika Ek, Markus clocked up an impressive 1,675km during his trip, averaging a distance of 335km per day. Markus remarked:

“The Nikwax challenge was without doubt the toughest ride I’ve done since my round the world trip. The Ben Nevis climb was awesome and we had a lot of fun at the top! The the crossing of Rannoch Moor into Glencoe was the absolute highlight for me, though the conditions were exceptional, with rain, shine and everything in between! Real Nikwax weather!” 

The second leg of the adventure saw European Adventurer of the year, Fredrika Ek taking up the gauntlet, travelling from the Netherlands to Germany (with an impromptu 50k detour due to encountering literally a road to nowhere!) and then from Denmark by ferry across to Kristiansand, Norway. After a stunning night swim in the lake, Fredrika wild camped at Hallingdalselva, and set off at 5am on her next day of riding, charging through the Jotunheimen national park mountains to hike the highest peak in Scandinavia, Galdhoppigen. Fredrika has now handed the baton over to endurance athlete Jenny Tough for the third and final leg of the adventure. 

The first person to circumnavigate the world on a single speed bike, legendary bikepacker and endurance athlete Markus Stitz has also provided the following five great hacks for people wanting to try their hand at being adventurers:

• Get Inspired

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• There are so many amazing places to explore and often not far from your own doorstep. It’s not about going the furthest or hardest but finding out what and who resonates with you.
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• Follow other adventurers and see where they play. Create a ‘wish list’ of places you would love to go and keep it with maps and guide books with your kit. “A great location is Sandwood Bay in the north west of Scotland. It’s a stunning beach and bay with plenty of opportunities to pitch your tent. You’re far away from the road so the only people there are people who have had to make an effort to get there. It’s the best place for a micro adventure.”
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• Be prepared

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• Take maps and sharpen up your navigation skills,  equip yourself with some basic first aid skills and don’t forget to message a friend with a basic agenda of what you are planning and where. Safety first.
• Invest in the right gear and be ready for all weathers! ” I am reliant on kit that does the job. It has to be rugged and functional over long distances. Waterproofing is important! Your kit needs to work, there’s no room for error.”
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• Try something new!

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• Adventure should be about getting out of your comfort zone. Whether it’s your first off road bike trip, a night wild camping or a trip on a lake in a Nikwax floating sleeping bag, trying something new is invigorating and stimulating for the body and mind.
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• Pack compact!

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• Adventure should be about freedom so you don’t want to be held back by unnecessary gear. “Try to find stuff with the lowest pack size imaginable. Weight is important but as soon as you throw a packet of biscuits into your pack you’ve negated the weight! So it’s about size. Bikepacking is a pretty good testing ground for your kit.”