Towards Nordkapp with GIVI: 6,000 km off-road

One of the most demanding adventures of the year is about to begin: the Paris–Nordkapp, an extreme journey of over 6,000 km across Europe, tackled mostly off-road and without any external support.

Taking on the challenge will be the Team Adventure Riding, made up of Renato Zocchi, Giulia Filippi and Giovanna Dall'Amico, who will have to rely entirely on their own experience, their ability to adapt to unexpected situations, and careful planning. An additional challenge? Carrying everything needed for weeks of travel, packed exclusively into their GIVI Canyon setup.

We asked the team how they are preparing for this adventure, which strategies they will adopt along the route, and what absolutely cannot be missing from their equipment.

With only a few days left before departure: what emotions are accompanying you right now? Is it more excitement, curiosity, or a bit of tension? 

A mix of all these emotions. On one hand, there’s the excitement for the adventure ahead, on the other, a bit of tension due to the limited information available about the route and the forecast temperatures of around 40°C.

From Paris to the North Cape, thousands of kilometers await you through countries, landscapes, and very different conditions. What do you think will be the most demanding challenge of the journey?  

Probably the biggest challenge will be managing bikes that are not specifically designed for off-road use, loaded with about 30 kg of luggage, on terrain that could be very demanding—especially sandy and muddy sections. On top of that, there’s the weather: during the trip, we expect at least a week of rain, a variable that could further complicate the route.

Is there a particular section of the route or situation that worries you the most? How are you preparing to face it? 

We already know part of the route, as it retraces sections of past editions of the Gibraltar Race in which we have participated. We expect France to be particularly demanding: long stretches through countryside and fields with tall grass that often hides agricultural vehicle tracks, making navigation slower and more complex, especially in case of rain. Poland could also put us to the test, with many sections of soft sand requiring attention and riding technique.

A journey this long requires careful preparation. What accessories or equipment do you consider absolutely essential and would never leave without on your bike? 

Packing was a key aspect of the trip. We had to bring everything needed to be fully self-sufficient: complete camping gear, tools and spare parts for the bikes, evening clothing, and technical gear suitable for both high and low temperatures. For this reason, choosing the bags and correctly distributing the weight were crucial.

With the GIVI Canyon line, we found the ideal solution. In the two 14-liter side bags we placed the heaviest items, keeping the center of gravity low and ensuring more balanced and comfortable riding. On the rear, we mounted a 40-liter bag for clothing, a sleeping bag, and lighter items. Completing the setup is a bag fixed to the crash bar, dedicated to tools and first aid supplies for both rider and bike, as well as a tank bag containing a phone, electronic devices, and everything that needs to be kept within reach and recharged during the trip via USB ports.

Before departure, we carried out numerous load tests and several fully loaded road tests: the result was extremely positive and confirmed the functionality and reliability of the entire setup.

You will start with summer temperatures and travel to Arctic latitudes, where the climate can change rapidly. How did you organize clothing and equipment to handle such different conditions? 

We chose a three-layer outfit that allows us to handle any weather condition as best as possible. Waterproof clothing and gloves of different weights complete the equipment, so we can quickly adapt to temperature and weather changes along the route.

Reliability, comfort, load capacity, weather protection... If you had to name the five key features a bike must have to tackle an adventure like this, what would they be? 

First and foremost, reliability—both of the bike and the equipment. Next, load capacity, which is essential for a fully self-sufficient journey, and the waterproofness of the gear, considering the high probability of encountering rain, even heavy rain, along the route. Comfort over long distances is also crucial, as well as choosing high-quality accessories that ensure peace of mind and safety when covering thousands of kilometers far from any support.

What moment are you most looking forward to along the route? Is there a place or experience you’ve dreamed of since deciding to set off? 

The evocative landscapes of the Nordic countries that we have not yet explored, and hopefully the North Cape.

Traveling as a group of three means sharing every kilometer. What do you think will be the added value of facing this adventure together? 

We prepared together, dividing tasks and responsibilities. It will be great to share joys and fears and help each other in difficult moments.

The North Cape represents a symbolic destination for many motorcyclists. What does reaching this goal mean to you? 

Beyond the fact that reaching the North Cape is a dream for many motorcyclists, being there after this challenge will represent the strength of having overcome all the difficulties that will arise along the way.

If you had to give advice to someone who dreams of undertaking a similar journey but hasn’t yet found the courage to leave, what would it be? 

First of all, we recommend gathering information from those who have already undertaken a similar journey, to better understand how to organize both the bike and the equipment. But once the necessary preparation is done, you need to find the courage to leave. There will never be a perfect moment: sometimes all it takes is the first step to turn a dream into an unforgettable adventure.