Nordkapp June 2-17, 2013

[juhhyto]

You can buy a mosquito repellent from any store or shop or petrol station, swedes sell (propably banned by EU) some tar based one, "Wilma's" if my memory serves right. It's the most effective. There's a rumour that this year mosquito population has suffered the long lasting dry season, so there's propably 10^9 insect less per sqkm....

 

[Bury_Dave]

Dave,

Looks like a great set up- best of luck with the trip bud

Are you going to write as you go along? Publishing on the way can be done of course but I find it is best to write up whilst all the little details are fresh in the mind.

I'd have my doubts about using George Roper's crash helmet, but then again I'm a big sissy.

Interested to see how it goes with the nosebag.

Good luck and have a great trip

R

Thanks Roberto

I keep a detailed diary as i go along and will write up and 'publish' ( a grand word for a few notes .... ) when I get back. For me there is a danger of being more pre-occupied in the telling the world what I am doing than actually doing it. Plus with wild camping and limited space, no room for a laptop, using the iphone probably too expensive and too busy having fun

I hadn't thought of looking like George Roper !! Shows your age I really prefer the soundproofing, better field of view / situational awareness and feeling more part of the scenery. Same reason i don't wear 30lbs of armour. Better to ride more defensively and avoid an accident than wear EVERYTHING in case of an accident. I don't wear a helmet or nomex coveralls in my car It's about a personal assessment of risk i suppose .....

Even at this late stage I am still considering dumping the Barbour suit and Daytona boots and just wearing my usual outdoor clothing, fleeces and goretex hiking boots etc That would make life better for all the camping stuff and reduce my kit by more.

The online weather for Narvik looks good and warm

 

[Bury_Dave]

Plus my camera and go-to items will be in the double lockable top box QUOTE]

How does your double lock work on your top box. I noticed it on top of the box.
did you buy or fabricate it?

Actually what you see is my GoPro mount for looking backwards

I have a small cable lock threaded through the topbox and rack as well as another one that runs around the box through the strapping anchors. Cable locks for skis have enough length. Nothing hi-tech nor expensive

 

[Bury_Dave]

Looking forward to this - Nordkapp is on my bucket list.

Don't bimble at 80mph - the scandinavians are very strict on speeding (DAMHIK ).

Good point and well taken - thanks

Enjoy the MRE's - I seem to remember some of the meals lead to the most alarming coloured stool!!

Using the rations i remember form the early 80's would have meant i could probably do the whole trip without a dump

 

[Ali-bear]

 

[Roberto]

+1

 

[walrus]

I'm rattling through Sweden up the E4 at the moment having landed at Hook of Holland on Tuesday. Currently in Umea. All I can say is bring sunscreen. It's getting hotter the further north I go! Currently 25deg and unbroken blue sky. I suppose it won't last. Good luck. Have agreat trip. I am.

 

[Bury_Dave]

Yippee, great news !

How has the E4 been ? I thought it might be too busy and have plucked for the E45.

 

[walrus]

Well, I know it's not popular with everybody but I'm quite enjoying it. It's certainly not busy. Mostly empty apart from the occasional lorry or Volvo. Sure Sweden is made out of trees but you can make good progress. The miles accumulate and there's always something to see if you're open to it. A bit like watching test cricket I decided today. It's a mindset thing. I've done 850 miles in the last two days and not gone much above 70. Mostly cruising around 65. I guess the blue sky helps as well. I've a hotel booked in Inari in Finland for two days, Sunday Monday, to allow me to visit the Sami museum there then on to Honningsvag for Tuesday night and Nordkapp.

 

[ThorH]

Sweden: A bit like watching test cricket

 

[The German]

Hi Buddy

Great reading, I shall certainly enjoy the ride with you! see you Tuesday G

 

[Kawanor]

Weather

The sun have been shining in North-Norway for several weeks,,and the weather forcast is the same,,sun..
Sweeden is boring,Norway is perfekt for biking.

 

[Gossy]

I'd have to check but I think somewhere between 4,700 and 5,000 miles - possibly more. We have a few detours if we get time. I suppose for a proper number it'll have to wait 3 weeks . I will keep a log .

Ride safe Dave, I'm up in July save some midges

 

[Renatus]

Consider "Avon - skin so soft" for the mozzies!! Curiously it works and I gather the paras use it. Much nicer than deet which strips plastic!

Is that the actual name? I asked my wife to put some on her next order but she couldn't find it on their list of products.

I'm booked on the ferry in two weeks so I hope the good weather holds out.

 

[Gossy]

Is that the actual name? I asked my wife to put some on her next order but she couldn't find it on their list of products.

I'm booked on the ferry in two weeks so I hope the good weather holds out.

Several to choose from, you can choose first!!

http://avonshop.co.uk/beauty/b/bath...ogle&c=Keyword_Google&otc=Skin so Soft&bnd=1&

 

[Renatus]

Several to choose from, you can choose first!!

http://avonshop.co.uk/beauty/b/bath...ogle&c=Keyword_Google&otc=Skin so Soft&bnd=1&

 

[Bury_Dave]

Well, i'm in a hotel in Esbjerg, waiting for the evenings' sailing to Harwich. Didn't make Nordkapp - not even close ! Couldn't make the necessary mileages for the time we had. 60kph was the daily average with stops etc.

We got no higher than Bodo .... I had an off which has damaged my ankle and dislocated my shoulder. It's been one hellova trip ! Still, it was a great mates trip, i wouldn't have missed it for the world and i feel no disappointment at not making Nordkapp having spoken to many on the road who have. And as Liv said, there is plenty of great biking in the southern half of Norway ( and Sweden ) without the long trek to go north. But i'll write more on where we went, what we did and saw (and how Trollstigen is nothing special compared to many other passes we did ) when I've been home a few days and got my thoughts and photos together.

 

[Gossy]

Well, i'm in a hotel in Esbjerg, waiting for the evenings' sailing to Harwich. Didn't make Nordkapp - not even close ! Couldn't make the necessary mileages for the time we had. 60kph was the daily average with stops etc.

We got no higher than Bodo .... I had an off which has damaged my ankle and dislocated my shoulder. It's been one hellova trip ! Still, it was a great mates trip, i wouldn't have missed it for the world and i feel no disappointment at not making Nordkapp having spoken to many on the road who have. And as Liv said, there is plenty of great biking in the southern half of Norway ( and Sweden ) without the long trek to go north. But i'll write more on where we went, what we did and saw (and how Trollstigen is nothing special compared to many other passes we did ) when I've been home a few days and got my thoughts and photos together.

But back in one piece! !

 

[LivNorway]

....I feel no disappointment at not making Nordkapp having spoken to many on the road who have. And as Liv said, there is plenty of great biking in the southern half of Norway ( and Sweden ) without the long trek to go north. But i'll write more on where we went, what we did and saw (and how Trollstigen is nothing special compared to many other passes we did ) when I've been home a few days and got my thoughts and photos together.

Yes, tell folks where to find fun roads! Not at Nordkapp!

Sorry about your accident. Did it happend because the road was bad, you was riding too fast, or you was tired after so many kilometres on fun roads?
Riding and looking at the view at the same time is not the best. But if you stop every time you see a great view you are not getting nowhere!

Get well soon, and come back soon!

Liv.

 

[davem]

Sounds like an eventful trip Dave and hope you are recovering from the off.

Look forward to the write up and the photos...