July-August: Norway anyone?

[Jimmy Doug]

Hi

I know this is a bit late - but I've only just thought of posting my tour on here. I'm cycling from the south of Sweden to Oslo, then Bergen, Alesund, Trondheim and then onto the Arctic circle - that makes for around 3500 kms. Anyone interested? I usually do betwenn 100km and 150 km per day - but this will obviously depend on the weather conditions etc. I'll be doing a budget ride - ie, wild camping a lot, buying ingredients from supermarkets, avoiding public transport etc etc.

 

[Dayvo]

You can pop in to us for a night or two whilst in Oslo, if you wish!

 

[Jimmy Doug]

Yeah, I'd love to Dayvo! You've already offered - I was going to contact you by PM to see if the offer still stood.

 

[Dayvo]

No problem: just let us know when you'll be here, more or less.

I'd love to join you, but it clashes with my work season!

 

[Manonabike]

I'll be in Oslo around that time but not for cycling I'm afraid

 

[Dayvo]

I'll be in Oslo around that time but not for cycling I'm afraid

See you for a beer or more, then!

 

[BrazingSaddles]

Ooh, just a little too far north for us. We're flying to Berlin to watch a band, thought we'd take bikes with us and continue up north, ferry to Sweden, cycle, train, boat, cycle(!) to Denmark, then, time permitting (4wks), back to Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and ferry to UK. Wild camping, bunk houses...can't wait. Enjoy Norway - my sister studied in Oslo and loved it so I will have to venture there to see for myself.
And enjoy your adventure.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

Thanks. I've actually wanted to do this ride after my first ever long-distance tour, about twenty years ago. Since then Norway has been gnawing at me constantly. I'm really excited about visiting a place I've dreamed of going to for so long - but slightly nervous of the cost! I'm really on a tight budget this year - not the best time for me to spend a month in one of the most expensive countries in the world! Anyway, should have posted a map, so here it is:

 

[Brains]

Thanks. I've actually wanted to do this ride after my first ever long-distance tour, about twenty years ago. Since then Norway has been gnawing at me constantly. I'm really excited about visiting a place I've dreamed of going to for so long - but slightly nervous of the cost! I'm really on a tight budget this year - not the best time for me to spend a month in one of the most expensive countries in the world!

Hence reason we ruled it out this year, cost was prohibitive, we could have done a moth in Namibia with a hired Landrover and guide for less than a week cycling in Norway!

 

[Dayvo]

A bit unfair to say Norway is SO expensive. The cycling is free, on mostly well-surfaced roads with marvellous scenery almost around every corner: with the long light nights, sleeping can be done in the warmth of the day somewhere suitable.

Basic food isn't extortionate from shops/supermarkets, but is from restaurants.
A self-sufficient tour won't break the bank.

 

[oldfatfool]

Looks excellent and would have loved to have joined you but I am southward bound

 

[Jimmy Doug]

A bit unfair to say Norway is SO expensive...
Basic food isn't extortionate from shops/supermarkets, but is from restaurants.
A self-sufficient tour won't break the bank.

I was so hoping you'd say that!

Looks excellent and would have loved to have joined you but I am southward bound

The Alpes de Huez trip you posted this morning! Have to say that it looks mightingly tempting. Might give it a go next year!

 

[toroddf]

Regarding costs in Norway which is half truths and an urban myth. So let's get things straight.
The alcohol is very expensive and what people remember Norway for. But on a bike ride, wild camping and living off supermarkets and other small shops, the prices is not that expensive compared to any Tescoland (Scotland, England, Ireland). The problem is the lack of sliced bread as the bread are sold as unsliced. But Dayvo will hopefully correct me here. The transport (ferries) may be a bit expensive too. But stay off the alcohol while in Norway and get drunk on the scenery instead.
Please also note that most water in Norway comes from the glaciers and is both healthy and clean. The free water will save you a lot money compared to touring in Tescoland.

You may want to post a list of what food you want to eat from the supermarkets in Norway and then ask a resident in Norway if he would be kind enough to post the Norwegian prices to get a feeling for the prices.

 

[Jimmy Doug]

When I go cycle-touring, I rarely drink alcohol so this is a non-issue for me really. I had a look on some supermarket websites, but it only gave me a vague idea. So, I guess the sorts of things I'll need to buy are the usual cyclist carbo ingredients like pasta, rice and already cooked Dolmio type sauces (I'm no one-pan cook - and I can't really be bothered with cooking when I'm on a tour) and fruit. I will be crossing a few fjords - and it has been difficult to get the prices online - but I don't think that it costs that much to cross a fjord with a bike. Now with a car that would be different ....

 

[toroddf]

I think the ferries fares are around the CalMac price level. The main Halhjem - Sandvikvåg ferry, which connects Stord to Bergen, cost 55 NOK = £ 5. That is a 45 minutes crossing (I did it in 1994).
The tourist routes, like the Gudvangen to Kaupanger ferry, is highway robbery to the tune of £ 30 for a two hours long sailing. But the mainroad ferries are quite reasonable.

I would though visit a local NHS dentist before setting off though and get a fresh up. A £ 63 treatment on NHS cost £ 2000 in Norway.

What people who think Norway is expensive tends to forget is that touring in United Kingdom is pretty expensive now. The food prices has doubled/tripled since 2008 and there is not many places you can wildcamp. Not to mention the lack of free water. Costs you don't have in Norway.