Video: Norwegian Escape

The plans for a joint trip in 2014 started in the previous year. We are the Evergreen Crew from Stuttgart - Luke Demmer, 18, Janik Mayerhoffer, 17, and Axel Weinmann, 19, and we joined up with the dudes of Mediamindset - Luca Nagel, 16,and Moritz Schmidgall, 18.

Together we made the movie “ESCAPE” ... It is our escape from our local home trails in Germany and into the Norwegian culture... from the bike parks to secret spots on the Coast.

Feel the spirit of riding the North!


Turn up the volume and turn down the lights - get some action!

First it came time to find a suitable location. Why Norway?! Well, after all the amazing footage and photos we've seen, what is left to say? There were so many reasons: The Whistler of Europe applies to Hafjell, the Madness of Hillbilly Huckfest, and of course the landscape ignited our fascination and we were quickly excited.


We (early birds, of course) had no doubts that the time would somehow be tight with the early departure. The morning ended up not being relaxed. We had to get from Stuttgart (“Benz City”) to Frankfurt – “Shit We're late. Dude!” Somehow we managed to make it in time to the right aircraft.

After continuous freak outs over lakes and forests that passed between us, we were almost there: Next Stop Oslo Airport.



A quick exchange from the plane to the train was not an easy task with bikes and camera equipment. Axel and Lukas built their bikes in the airport lobby and took off with Luca on the road to Al for Hillbilly Huckfest. Janik and Moritz went by train from Lillehammer to Hafjell.

The way to Huckfest was from the city outskirts to Oslo City and then continuing north. We had a little time to check out the port city. It soon became clear that during this trip we were going make another stop in Oslo. The casual promenade, pretty girls and the warm sea - this feeling of the city struck us immediately.

Our first challenge was that we were told that we wouldn't be able to bring our bikes on the train. Ohhhh shit! Once we figured that out and we were finally allowed on the train, it headed towards Bergen.

The journey led through breathtaking scenery. Already our enthusiasm for Norway was fully enflamed. Despite the exhausting drive our anticipation grew to finally shred. Sometimes the train stopped for a few minutes in isolated villages and we wondered if this was someone boarding or leaving. Well, after what felt like an eternity, we arrived exhausted in Al. Where in this damn huge Norwegian valley is Huckfest?! Besides the station and a few houses there is absolutely nothing in the small town. Really nothing. Nothing at all.

Not surprisingly we had a brief stop waiting for a bus and we had a chance to ask the driver for the Huckfest. He did not know exactly what we meant, but he could bring us to a ski lift. There he let us out.

We were pretty sure that we had thought about everything before our trip to Norway. We had bought plane tickets, packed our bikes, and knew that the Huckfest would be going off. All we had to do was get to the site and we would get to shred with some of the best riders in the world. But as the bus pulled away and we stood at the bottom of an empty ski resort all alone, it became clear that probably should have asked someone for directions.

All we could do is follow a the sign uphill. Soon Luca followed up with the camera equipment and then came a Red Bull truck and picked him up... YEAH RED BULL NORWAY!

Yes! - Here we are right. Axel and Luke pushed further and suddenly Andreu Lacondeguy rode past us ... "Nice asssssss!"

Challenge complete.

After approximately twelve-hours traveling from Stuttgart to Al, we were more than ready to ride. We made a few laps on one of the trails in Huckfest grounds before the Jam and the serious crew started. Originally we wanted to ride ourselves, then realized fast that we were too exhausted from the trip. Watching the guys while they were sending the big jumps definitely made the trip worth it! The mood during the session and all the crazy people were super motivating! The evening ended in the traditional party and then the after-party and finally finished up with a very short and uncomfortable night in
tent.

The next morning we woke up to rain, so there was no more biking. We had to deal with out next challenge – how to continue our onward journey to Hafjell. We made a sign and tried to hitch a ride but that didn't work out. Luckily for us, we eventually found two Hafjell locals, who kindly provided us with a ride and together we went to Hafjell. The three-hour drive through Scandinavian forests led past countless lakes and herds of sheep, which repeatedly crossed the street.


We arrived in Hafjell in the evening and we met up with Janik and Moritz again. They had arrived the day before and found Johnny, one of the German park shapers in Hafjell. We were able to stay with him for the next week in a beautiful, Norwegian hut with a great location, just a few meters from the Bike Park. Janik checked the park the day before and his stories made us even more stoked on the next day to back on our on the wheels.




The trails were riding really well and put us in a great mood. The trail from the gondola to the chairlift is flowier than most in Europe. The days of filming were always a huge logistical effort because the weather and the light made it hard to shoot and we never had enough food or water for the entire crew.





After a week of non-stop shredding, turning and nature-trips into the Norwegian wilderness, we drove back to Oslo. In Oslo we could once again come down from the stressful film week. Perfect summer weather and the many ways the city made the mood for relaxing, swimming, and cliff diving sessions. The days passed quickly. The last two we spent at a secret spot in the woods outside Oslo. The spot stole all the remaining strength but we were rewarded with fat shots at the end!







Hard work pays off! Freeride is alive!

In summary, one can say it was definitely all worth it: two weeks filled with new experiences, great people, exceptional trails and impressive landscapes let us get to know a new country: Norway! We are stoked to share these unique experiences with you!

We want to thank everyone who supported us in this trip: Freeride-Mountain.com, Acros-Components, Bliss Protection, O'Neal Clothing, Dakine Bags, bpp.de,Tantrum Energy, Johnny Neumeier & Hafjell Bike Park Department, Oslo Locals, Mediamindset, Family & Friends!

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MENTIONS: @acros, @oneal, @HafjellBikePark, @blissprotection

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