How to get from Whitehaven to Bergen?

[DefBref]

Next year, Six of us are planning a ride from Bergen to Oslo, however the problem is we are strugglling to figure out the best way to transport the bikes. We will be leaving from Whitehaven.

We have ruled out flights (for the bikes) as it would involve multiple flights as most airlines seem to restrict the amount of bikes they will carry.

Current plan is probably to hire a van to transport the bikes (and a couple of riders) and the rest to fly.

Anybody got any other ideas? Route to take the van? Recommended van hire that will allow what we want ?

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I think your only option is Edinburgh to Amsterdam or Hull to Rotterdam and then a very long drive (Netherlands, Germany, Denmark then either ferry to Norway or more driving Sweden and Norway...) not many options anymore. I think there is also a Germany ferry to Sweden, could possibly go to Norway as well.... not sure..
(Assuming that is Whitehaven in Cumbria)...

See the Harwich - Esberg ferry now gone thread as well. http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/harwich-esbjerg-ferry.155371/

 

[Nearly there]

Ferry from Newcastle

 

[DefBref]

Ferry from Newcastle

If you mean the Newcastle to Bergen Ferry that stopped several years ago. Newcastle to Amsterdam is a possibility and then driving, thats one option we are considering.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Ferry from Newcastle

still ditches you in Amsterdam... but it would be a touch closer and easier than the 2 I mentioned... not knowing Newcastle Upon Tyne ferries...
Still a very long drive though...
Denmark ferry - http://www.colorline.com/

@steveindenmark what are the Danish ferry options?

 

[Archie_tect]

You could try merchant shipping sailing from Hull to Scandinavian ports... they sometimes take passengers for a fee.
Try Hull Port Authority for information.

Port of Tyne at South Shields has loads of timber imports by sea from Sweden -they would be returning empty- worth a try?

 

[Archie_tect]

DFDS North Shields to Amsterdam was really easy and you can cycle on and off easily. The DFDS Amsterdam website may have connecting sailings to Bergen?

 

[snorri]

Sounds like a logistical nightmare for a relatively short cycle tour, but some routes to consider......
There would be three options for getting to mainland Europe with a van, Hull-Rotterdam, Newcastle- Ijmuiden(Amsterdam) or Harwich -Hook of Holland then onward by road to Denmark for ferry from Copenhagen to Oslo, or to Frederikshavn for ferry to Oslo.

 

[steveindenmark]

The easiest way is to fly the bikes with Ryanair from Stansted to Oslo. Train across to Oslo and ride back.

Or you could Ryanair to Oslo, ride to Bergen, ferry to Hirtsals in Denmark, ride to Billund and fly back to Stansted with Ryanair.

Steve

 

[Brains]

I'd freight them.
A big box or two, and let the freighters deal with them, it may take a couple of weeks, but a lot less hassle and expense

 

[Dayvo]

As snorri said, it does sound like a logistic nightmare. Boats, hire vans etc. sound costly and time-consuming.

Flying is the easiest option, both travelling-wise and time-wise. A flight would almost have to be involved at some stage, so why not follow the below plan.

You can fly from Edinburgh to Bergen with Norwegian or BA (Edinburgh only being 130 miles or so away). and back from Oslo to Edinburgh.

The flights (with BA) are about £60 out and £120 back, excluding bikes and other charges.

If you go ahead with this, contact me, if you like, for any info, route suggestions etc.

 

[DefBref]

Thanks Dayvo, we had already looked at flying with Norwegian Air but they have a limit on the number of bikes per flight (2 I believe).

Also thanks for the offer of local knowledge, the ride organiser is a Norwegian from Bergen originally so we hopefully should be ok, but may need some Oslo knowledge!

I agree it does seem a logistical nightmare but I did promise my Norwegian mate I would ask!

 

[Dayvo]

When I had a quick look, Norwegian were more expensive than BA!

Could you not mix-n-match your flights?
i.e. some go with Norwegian and some go with BA? And I believe both airlines have several departures each day. It's a bit of waiting, but there's plenty to do and see in Bergen.

What's your intended route? I very much recommend cycling over Haukelifjell: it's 'quite' steep, but the rewards will be well worth it, I promise you. The southern route is the one:

If/when you get to Oslo, six might be a bit 'cosy', but I'm sure we could put you up for a night or two. MIght save you a few bob or two.

I'm not sure when you intend on doing it, but early mid-June onwards would be a good time: darkish at 23.30, lightish at 01.30, so you can sleep during the day, or whenever the need arises.

 

[DefBref]

My mate is working on the route, I'll try and get him to join the forum saves me having to pass information on all the time!

Currently planning for late July I think.

 

[roldeide]

Gents,

Proposed route is as follows:
Day 1: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5886132
Day 2: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5898583
Day 3: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5908420
Day 4: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5909773

Doing that route because we have free accommodation in Bergen and at Geilo. Have driven the route a number of times and it is absolutely stunning! At the moment, as DefBref has pointed out, we are 6 people going (1 support driver and 5 cyclists). We are probably going to rent a van from UK and drive around using channel tunnel and ferry from Hirtshals - Kristiansand. Driving back from Oslo through Sweden and over the Oresund Bridge. 3 of us will be driving the van and the remaining 3 will take flights from either Edinburgh, Manchester or Gatwick to Bergen and flying back from Oslo. Airport decision to be made based on cost and travel time/convenience. Hoping to keep trip around £700pp with all travel, accommodation and food. Obviously going to have to bring the beer from abroad to keep to budget!!!!

It is a shame that the ferry between Newcastle and Bergen stopped back in 2008 and, although they have been working hard on it, does not look like starting up next year. This means, as mentioned above, the trip will be a logistically 'challenging' trip to organise.