Cycling under the midnight sun

[harlechjoe]

I would love the experience of cycling throughout the night under the midnight sun. My thoughts are to go somewhere and hire a bike but don't want to join an organised tour. I'm not a wealthy person and Norway seems very expensive. Your advice will be welcomed . Thanks - Joe

 

[Drago]

Well, not wxactly midnight sun but back home the Simmer Dim reduced summer nights to about 4 or 5 hours of fairly bright twilight. Didn't use lights on my chopper,at that time of year.

The flip side of that was 5-6 hours of watery daylight midwinter.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

I'd always suggest doing a search on CrazyGuyOnABike.com. I'd imagine "Midnight sun" will throw up some useful information and inspiration.

Perhaps drop back and let us know what you find out?

 

[steveindenmark]

Northern Scotland has a similar effect.

 

[harlechjoe]

I'd always suggest doing a search on CrazyGuyOnABike.com. I'd imagine "Midnight sun" will throw up some useful information and inspiration.

Perhaps drop back and let us know what you find out?

I've just looked at the Crazy Guy stories, many of the which are about Norway. It looks lovely yet I've heard it is so expensive that a cup of coffee costs £10. Another story describes a tour of Finlands Lapland. To be honest I may as well follow the advice of Steveindenmark and visit the Scottish Islands

 

[Blue Hills]

I've just looked at the Crazy Guy stories, many of the which are about Norway. It looks lovely yet I've heard it is so expensive that a cup of coffee costs £10. Another story describes a tour of Finlands Lapland. To be honest I may as well follow the advice of Steveindenmark and visit the Scottish Islands

A good idea methinks - if you want some inspiration, look up the three or four part series by Ben Fogle - should still be on iplayer. The billing promo makes it sound like a godfest but it isn't really.

edit

here you are:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episo...ands-with-ben-fogle-series-1-1-inner-hebrides

caution - does contain the odd nun.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

I've just looked at the Crazy Guy stories, many of the which are about Norway. It looks lovely yet I've heard it is so expensive that a cup of coffee costs £10. Another story describes a tour of Finlands Lapland. To be honest I may as well follow the advice of Steveindenmark and visit the Scottish Islands

I was initially going to suggest Scotland too but I thought it was too close to home. I do recall taking a midnight hike near Glencoe one June 21 (and having a snowball fight!). It was never fully dark but neither was it as bright as it could be further north.

If it's something you really want to experience, a dream if you will, then I'd suggest to focus on the ways to overcome the problems - any tour worth its salt is going to throw up problems. Achieving a dream can be very rewarding.

Coffee may well be expensive but a simple stove can save a lot of expense. My understanding is that the Nordic countries are very well equipped for wild camping so that there can represent a significant saving in comparison to other destinations (not Scotland, of course).

Good luck.

 

[Dayvo]

It’s a bit further flight-wise, but Sweden and Finland are also popular, and somewhat cheaper, destinations for midsummer night riding.
Just watch out for mosquitoes and midges/gnats.

 

[harlechjoe]

A good idea methinks - if you want some inspiration, look up the three or four part series by Ben Fogle - should still be on iplayer. The billing promo makes it sound like a godfest but it isn't really.

edit

here you are:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episo...ands-with-ben-fogle-series-1-1-inner-hebrides

caution - does contain the odd nun.

Brilliant will do....., thanks

 

[iluvmybike]

Just pop up to northernmost parts of Scotland around the summer solstice - doesn't go dark and way cheaper than going elsewhere

 

[harlechjoe]

Just pop up to northernmost parts of Scotland around the summer solstice - doesn't go dark and way cheaper than going elsewhere

Thanks for getting in touch - I'll do that , Joe

 

[matticus]

I've just looked at the Crazy Guy stories, many of the which are about Norway. It looks lovely yet I've heard it is so expensive that a cup of coffee costs £10. Another story describes a tour of Finlands Lapland. To be honest I may as well follow the advice of Steveindenmark and visit the Scottish Islands

Good idea. I was only as far north as Fort William / Acharacle, and rode much of the night with my front light off just because I could .
North of Inverness must be amazing around the Solstice 👍

 

[Baldy]

I've done quite a bit of travelling in Northern Sweden but not biking. It is a bit more expensive than the UK but not by much. You can fly with your bike so no need to hire and taking it on trains is easier than here. See this chaps site for ideas. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClhTpH14hALl_c6HXFhttew

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Given your criteria , northern Scotland or Shetland it is.