Norway

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Jimmy Doug

If you know what's good for you ...
Hi guys,

Well, it's that time of year for me. The time of the year when I start thinking about where I'm going cycling in the summer. For the past few years I've been to Mediterranean destinations - but this year, I think I want something comletely different. Norway has been high up there on my list of THE places I want to go to. It's a dream that I've had for over 20 years, and it's time I made it happen! So what about it? What's the cycling like? What are the number one places I should see? Is the weather really that wet and windy in July/August? And what about all those midges?My basic idea is to cycle as far north as I can get. If I have time, and if it's reasonable, I'd like to start here in France and cross into Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Danemark, Sweden and then head up to Oslo and hopefully make it to the Artic circle. I haven't decided whether I want to try for that or whether I should just focus on Norway, the land of my dreams. Any ideas?

Cheers.
 
Watch out for all the No Cycling road tunnels necessitating climbs up over the top.
 

Amanda P

Legendary Member
I can't say much about Norway itself, other than that it's up there with Denmark and the Netherlands for cycling (at least in towns), and the bits I've seen are mighty hilly but incredibly beautiful. This might give you some inspiration and ideas about getting there, though.
 

Amanda P

Legendary Member
I was only in Norway three days - and on the third day it rained a lot.

(I got very wet indeed waiting for a bus to take me to Stavanger airport on that third day. Queuing to get on the bus, the chap behind me in the queue said "it's a bit wet for cycling, isn't it?" I'd already replied "well, yes, but I don't have any choice" before I realised he'd spoken in Norwegian (of which I don't know a word), but his gestures and the context made his meaning perfectly clear. And he switched seamlessly and perfectly to English for the rest of the conversation, as Norwegians tend politely to do).

There'd been no rain for the two weeks we'd spent getting to Lista, though, and there was very little rain for the couple of months Mrs Uncle Phil spent working there. So it doesn't always rain.
 
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Jimmy Doug

Jimmy Doug

If you know what's good for you ...
Yeah, I hope we'll be seeing him on this thread shortly. I got a message from him this morning about driving rules in Norway, and I told him I'd start this thread. There are a couple of others from that beautiful land who hang around on this forum - hope to hear from them too (can't remember their names, though).
 

willem

Über Member
I recently did a two week roundtrip from Oslo to the northwest. It was spectacular, and demanding. The best bits were the long off road or semi off road trails like the Tindevegen or the Rallarvegen. The landscape is just so large and devoid of humans. In practical terms the good news was that there were enough supermarkets in villages and small towns (but no wine, only beer, and that only until six), that traffic was civilized (very good and considerate drivers), and that campsites were well equipped.
The bad news is that climbs were long and steep, and that the weather can be wet and cold (we were pretty lucky). So on the one hand you want to go ultralight, but on the other hand you need cold and wet weather gear. Finally, Norway is expensive.
Willem
 
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Jimmy Doug

Jimmy Doug

If you know what's good for you ...
Yes, this is pretty well what I'm expecting - good news about the supermarkets, though; it was one of the points I was concerened about, although I imagine that if I get further north it might become more problematic. Concerning cost, how were the food prices in the supermarkets? My plan is to cook everything myself, not go to the restaurants (all right, maybe the last day!), not buy alcohol and wild camp often (I know it's allowed in Scandanavian countries). Hopefully these measures should make Norway a little more affordable. Can't do anything about the rain, though - especially if I head to Bergen, which is what I intend to do.
 

willem

Über Member
I thought food was expensive, but maybe because I am used to very cheap food in Holland. UK prices are obviously much higher, so you may not be so shocked. Eat fish rather than meat. A last tip is to make sure your bike is in very good condition. I did not have any problems, but some of my friends did. Bike shops were few, and only had road bike or full on mtb parts. For example, Magura brake pads for their rims brakes were unavailable, and so were touring tyres. And your bike will take a beating. Do not count on restaurants (or even worse: bars). They are a very rare thing, and will ruin you.
Willem
 

snorri

Legendary Member
My landlord during a few days stopover in Bergen told me he could not understand why people complain about the rain there. He said "Records show that it rains for 300 days a year in Bergen, and that's what it does, so why complain?" If you go prepared for it and with the right attitude you will be fine.

Someone has mentioned the tunnels and the cost of living? Yes, I thought they might've.:thumbsup:
 
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Jimmy Doug

Jimmy Doug

If you know what's good for you ...
That's a very good point about checking the bike. I'll remember to give it a good service before leaving - and get it a quick look-over in a bike shop in Oslo. Were the roads in good condition? I guess they were. That was a problem for me this year in Greece. I had loads of trouble with broken spokes, probably because of the poor state of the roads there combined with the weight of my fully-loaded touring bike. I'd hate to have a broken spoke in the middle of Norway!
 
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