When people think of world-class cycling destinations, they often picture the high alpine passes of Italy or the cobblestones of Belgium. But if you talk to any modern gravel cyclist, there is a new destination whispered about in revered, mud-splattered tones: Oslo, Norway.
With over 1,000 kilometers of continuous, car-free gravel roads twisting through the forests immediately surrounding the city, Oslo has rightfully earned its reputation as the undisputed gravel capital of Scandinavia.
Whether you are an international traveler arriving for a cycling holiday or a business traveler staying in the Storo or Nydalen district looking for a spectacular after-work escape, the forest is waiting. And right here at Zen Sykkel, we have built the ultimate rental fleet to help you explore it.
The Gateway to Oslomarka: Starting from Storo
One of the most magical things about cycling in Oslo is how fast the urban landscape dissolves into pristine wilderness. You don't need to load a bike onto a car or navigate heavy city traffic to find the trails.
Our workshop is located right in Storo, positioning you perfectly at the literal gateway to Oslomarka (Oslo’s massive protected forest network).
From our doorstep, you can follow the beautiful Akerselva river path straight up into Maridalen, or cut directly east into the rolling fire roads of Lillomarka and Nordmarka. Within 15 minutes of leaving the tarmac, you’ll find yourself surrounded by towering pines, quiet lakes, and endless crushed stone. Rain or shine, the forest always delivers an epic adventure.
Meet Your Ride: The Award-Winning Merida Silex 700
When we were building out our Zen Sykkel rental fleet, we didn’t want to give our riders generic, budget touring bikes. We wanted to provide a machine capable of handling everything from high-speed fire roads to steep, technical forest climbs.
That’s why our go-to rental rig is the Merida Silex 700.
The Silex is legendary in the gravel world for its stable, upright, mountain-bike-inspired geometry. It keeps you comfortable over massive distances, meaning you can ride for hours without the neck or back strain of a traditional road bike.
The Zen Sykkel Rental Spec:
Every Merida Silex 700 in our fleet is meticulously maintained and hand-tuned by our professional workshop crew before it ever leaves the stand.
- The Frame: Lightweight SILEX LITE II aluminum paired with a vibration-dampening carbon fork.
- The Gearing: A crisp, high-performance Shimano GRX 12-speed drivetrain to help you spin up Oslo's steepest hills.
- The Rubber: Ultra-plush, grippy Maxxis Rambler 45mm tires that bite into loose gravel and roll incredibly fast.
- The Brakes: Hydraulic Shimano GRX820 disc brakes for total stopping confidence, even on wet, twisting descents.
Ready to Explore?
Oslo's gravel season is spectacular, and the forest trails are constantly calling. If you are staying at an AirBNB or local hotels like the Thon Hotel Storo or Radisson Blu Nydalen, you are just a stone's throw away from your next great adventure. Don't settle for stationary hotel gym bikes when Scandinavia's best trail network is right outside your window.
