Riding to the Edge: Inside the Great Malle Arctic Rally

The Great Malle Arctic Rally takes riders from Copenhagen to Norway’s Nordkapp, blending long-distance adventure, community and modern motorcycle culture.

Subscribe to our Instagram Channel for instant news & updates!

Over the past decade, motorcycling has quietly moved away from an obsession with outright speed and race-replica styling. Riders today increasingly favour character, craftsmanship and experience, choosing custom builds and scenic backroads over lap times and fairings. The modern scene places just as much emphasis on how and why people ride as on what they ride.

This shift has reshaped the wider motorcycle industry, giving rise to lifestyle-driven brands, destination events and social spaces built around café racers, scramblers and bespoke machines. Initiatives like the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and venues such as the Bike Shed have helped redefine riding as a cultural experience rather than a purely performance-driven pursuit.

Malle London’s Experimental Beginnings

Few have embraced this evolution more fully than cousins Jonathan Cazzola and Robert Nightingale. Through their brand, Malle London, the pair began exploring how to turn motorcycle enthusiasm into immersive riding events. Their first major success, the Malle Mile in 2015, started as a loosely organised hill climb among friends in rural England.

As interest grew, the event outgrew its original home and relocated to the vast grounds of Grimsthorpe Castle. It now attracts hundreds of riders and thousands of spectators. The Mile became the foundation for a broader calendar of Malle events that push riders beyond conventional touring formats.

From Local Races to Continental Adventures

Building on that momentum, Malle expanded its portfolio with events such as the Margate Beach Race, the Great Malle, covering the length of mainland Britain, and the Mountain Rally, which spans multiple European countries. Each event combined challenging routes with a strong sense of community, setting Malle apart from traditional rallies.

However, the team’s most ambitious concept to date emerged this year with the launch of the Great Malle Arctic Rally. It is a journey designed to test both riders and machines across one of Europe’s most remote regions.

The Challenge of Reaching the Arctic Circle

The Arctic Rally mapped a 2,500-mile route from Copenhagen to Nordkapp in northern Norway. It is a location often described as the end of the Earth due to its position well inside the Arctic Circle. While many riders dream of completing such a journey independently, Malle structured the rally to suit participants with limited time.

To make the schedule realistic, Robert Nightingale personally scouted the route twice, breaking it into manageable daily stages. The nine-day itinerary allowed riders to depart on a Friday and return home the following weekend, making the adventure achievable without extended time off work.

Logistics That Lowered the Barrier

Malle removed much of the complexity typically associated with long-distance riding by offering extensive logistical support. Participants could ship their motorcycles to the start and back home, or rent a bike in Copenhagen and return it in Norway at the finish line.

Despite these options, a handful of riders still chose to ride the entire distance under their own steam, including one participant who covered nearly 6,000 miles on a 500cc Royal Enfield Bullet before, during and after the rally.

A Shift Toward Modern Machinery

Although Malle initially encouraged the use of “inappropriate” motorcycles, home-built customs and classic machines, the lineup at the start reflected a changing reality. Most riders opted for modern production bikes. They prioritise reliability and comfort over nostalgia as the scale and distance of the events increased.

The rally began outside Copenhagen’s Classic Car House, setting the tone for a journey that blended heritage, modern engineering and extreme geography.

Long Days, Slow Roads and Big Scenery

Each riding day brought a new challenge, with routes revealed only the night before. After an early stage into Sweden, distances increased significantly, with several days exceeding 300 miles. Progress slowed as riders entered Norway, where strict speed limits and narrow roads demanded patience.

In return, riders experienced some of Europe’s most dramatic scenery, fjords, waterfalls, mountain passes and ferry crossings that stitched together Norway’s rugged coastline. Encounters with wildlife, including reindeer, served as regular reminders of how far north the group had travelled.

Life at Camp and Shared Stories

Evenings are centred on communal camps set up in advance by a dedicated support team. Riders spent their nights glamping in bell tents. They share meals and exchange stories of the day’s challenges, from relentless rain to unexpected fines and mechanical mishaps.

The shared experience fostered strong camaraderie, turning physical fatigue into a collective achievement rather than an individual struggle.

Reaching the Edge of Europe

The final approach to Nordkapp delivered a fitting conclusion. As the weather lifted and sunlight broke through the clouds, riders reached the Arctic Ocean, marking the end of the rally with a group photo at one of Europe’s northernmost points.

The moment underscored the rally’s core appeal: not speed or competition, but the satisfaction of completing a demanding journey in remarkable surroundings.

What Comes Next for the Arctic Rally

Originally conceived as a one-off event, the Great Malle Arctic Rally quickly generated widespread interest online, prompting Malle to confirm its return in 2027. For those inspired by the idea, the choice remains open: build an unconventional custom machine or simply rent a reliable one and focus on the adventure ahead.

The next Great Malle Arctic Rally is scheduled to take place from August 6 to 15, 2027, offering another opportunity to ride toward the far north and experience motorcycling at its most elemental.