Denmark/Sweden/Norway June 2012

[Dan_seed]

Well I have done it! Booked the ferries over to Esbjerg for my first long bike trip! Looking to head to Trollhatten, Sweden to met up with some friends then head for Norway.

We will be traveling 2 up on a 2007 1200GS and I would be grateful on any tips on things I should remember to carry and any routes that would be good to follow. I have seen that Liv has collated a lot of them so will do some more research there.

My biggest dilemma at the moment is what to do with regards to accommodation.......should we try to load the bike with 2 people and all the gear needed for camping or try and stick to hotels etc? Any tips/ hints would be great.

 

[diplomaticdanny]

Hi Dan

I went two up for the longest day in 2008, we took camping equipment which was a nightmare, only used the tents one night. Talk to Liv about Hytters, they are log cabins on campsites, fully kitted, just need sleeping bags.

Cracking country

Cracking roads

Cracking people

F@@king expensive

Danny

 

[Stirfry]

Have a look here. I posted a daily blog for the Mrs and each day contains a route. Also used alot of independant hostels which cut costs down a bit but provided a bit of comfort.

 

[Wapping]

The Swedish hostels (they have a name but I can't remember it ) are very good.

http://www.visitsweden.com/sweden/Accommodation/Accommodation-guide/Cottages-and-Cabins/

The Swedish tourist board are very helpful, too.

 

[EyeCake]

went to Norkapp the slow road along the coast and through the mountains last June and although I had a tent I mostly stayed in hostels because after a long hard ride each day it was worth it. The weather can be mixed this far north Some of the country ones are summer schools and only open end June to End September but all bar one were very good and it was in the most idyllic location it made up for it


http://www.hihostels.com/dba/country-Norway-NO.en.htm

 

[gcp]

Went to western Norway early last June, best trip so far.
Still cold in some of the higher regions especially if the weather is bad.
Was over in Bergen last week and fuel is about the same price as here now.

 

[Rushy]

Norway is stunning

Take a lot of money

Try going sober before you leave, if you can

Try to look at the road , at least as much as the scenery , if you can

Reduce the daily mileage that you think you would cover elsewhere in Europe by a qtr.

Think about how much it can rain, long riding day, wet biking gear and tent (especially with the better half) not the best IMHO so a few nights in a hotel/cabin would be good.

Read up on the penalties for speeding...unless you want to feature in the next series of banged up abroad.....draconian doesn't quite cover it

Take your time

Take a lot of money.

Take a lot of pictures.

Take me with you ?

 

[gcp]

9 days to/from Norway last June cost less than £1000 excluding the ferry which was paid for long in advance.

Used various types of guest houses and hotels sharing a room, not tee total but not a great drinker.

This was taking the harwich-Esberg route but only spent one night in Denmark on the way home.

A couple of many many pics

 

[gcp]

In western Norway police few and far between too, German camper vans and 40 tonners on the small roads far more a hazard.

 

[simondippenhall]

Norway

I'm going on bike to Norway in August with 17yr old son as pillion. Booked the Harwich Esbjerg and now have booked Hirtshals to Kristiansand; will have just under 2 weeks in Norway itself. Bringing a tent but planning to stay in local hostels etc....I believe the local mozzies are v active and rain is not unknown.

As we are taking the Electraglide, speed fines are unlikely to be a problem

 

[gcp]

We didn't book any other ferries or accomodation other than Harwisch Esberg.
June was pretty much bug free

 

[lllBlll]

Being Norwegian I might come with some advice. I see you will be going in June. That mean you will miss most of the mossies and other bugs, they usually don't come before July/August. The negative thing is that it might be a bit cold, at least in the mountains and at night. But if you dress right thats no problem. Make sure to have a rain jacket and trousers that you can have over your ordinary driving gear. Even if your drive gear is made of gore tex. If you get much rain and you get unlucky with cold temperatures the cloths will remain moist and it gets cold. 99% of all Norwegian motorcyclist use wool long shirts and long johns instead of cotton if it gets a bit cold. The wool is also better than synthetic fabrics as it remains warm if wet and smells less when used over time. It's also important that you have dry cloths when you stop for the night, weather you camp in tent or rent a cabin. So have two sets of wool underwear, and make sure one is always dry.
With this advice you should remain dry and warm in Norway. As I said if you are going to tent, make sure you have warm and dry cloths then it will be ok. The main holiday in Norway starts in the beginning of July, that means the chances of getting to rent cabins at camping sites without of reserving increases in June. My advise would be to try to rent cabins at camping sites, but bring a tent in-case there are no free cabins.

 

[Dan_seed]

route help

So far my itinary is as below:
2nd Harwich to Esbjerg (overnight)
3rd Esbjerg to Trollhatten. Meeting friends in Trollhatten
4th Head north and explore!
5th Explore
6th Explore
7th Possibly Oslo "crack the ton day" with the Ton Up Club (cafe racers norway)
8th Oslo to Goteborg
9th Goteborg to Esbjerg to Harwich (overnight)
10th Home

I am looking for ideas for the 4th-5th-6th-possibly 7th. I have been reading some of the threads here and have some place names that seem popular:
Trollsteigen, Geiranger, Rjukan.

What do you think we would be able to manage in those three/four days?

 

[gcp]

Rjukan would get my vote, just love that area.