Norway here we come - July 2024

[Hatcho]

Today's route was as far as Lavic where we'd overnight before grabbing the ferry on our way to Bergen.

First stop is Lote where we grab the 20 minute ferry over to Anda.

Had a quick chat with a lad from Stockholm while on the ferry. He was only biking a year and had a lovely Africa Twin. Mind you, the height of him he wouldn't fit on much else .
After the 20 minute ferry ride we continued on the E39 to Skei and Førde. Twas quite difficult to keep the speed legal on the lovely wide sweeping bends. Thank god for cruise control!


With the sun shining down, we were just enjoying life watching the scenery roll by. Livin' the dream.

 

[Hatcho]

Just before Førde we pulled into the Sunnfjord Museum. We opted to take the guided tour around and inside the old Norwegian farm buildings, some of which dated back to the 1500s. Norway has been under both Danish and Swedish rule in the past and only became fully independent in 1905. During the tour, we got to see how rural ways of life changed over the years. Sigurd, our tour guide was a local chap who, with his knowledge and excitement about Norway's past, really enriched the experience. It's always good take some time to learn about a place when you visit.

Old communal home

The roofs are made with several layers of birch bark to keep it waterproof followed by packed earth to provide insulation.


The living space.

It was amazing how much cooler it was inside the old house!

We even got to go to school!


The food storage huts were always raised on legs.

 

[Gobsheen]

Just before Førde we pulled into the Sunnfjord Museum. We opted to take the guided tour around and inside the old Norwegian farm buildings, some of which dated back to the 1500s. Norway has been under both Danish and Swedish rule in the past and only became fully independent in 1905. During the tour, we got to see how rural ways of life changed over the years. Sigurd, our tour guide was a local chap who, with his knowledge and excitement about Norway's past, really enriched the experience. It's always good take some time to learn about a place when you visit.

Old communal home
View attachment 340647
The roofs are made with several layers of birch bark to keep it waterproof followed by packed earth to provide insulation.


The living space.
View attachment 340649
It was amazing how much cooler it was inside the old house!

We even got to go to school!
View attachment 340645

The food storage huts were always raised on legs.

Likes like some trip….

 

[Hatcho]

As we cruised along my chief cinematographer did some champion work filming our progress...
This girl's a keeper!

The fjords always look stunning from above.

The twisties are all quite fun...

Riding through these immense valleys you feel tiny!

 

[Hatcho]

One thing we've seen many times is bikers receiving lessons. On one occasion it was in a dedicated instruction area, other times on the open road. It's great to see a healthy biking community with a decent amount of youngsters getting on bikes. Quite a few young lads booting about on scramblers - reminds me of my younger days when 'woke' just meant not asleep. Along with the huge numbers of touring/adventure bikes, there is lots of mid-range stuff too - MT07s, KTMs and the like.

125s didn't look like this when I was a kid!

 

[Hatcho]

Back to the road trip! After a really lovely days riding we rolled into Lavik. Pretty small town but it had everything we needed. I'd booked a room on Booking.com in Lavik Fjord Hotel and Apartments.



The room was clean but a tad small. Really wasn't much of a problem as we were staying here just to break the trip to Bergen in half. We had dinner out on the terrace and watched the ferry come and go.


The maps on the wall had a very handy you are here function


Before booking in we'd popped into the supermarket and stocked up on supplies (aka beer ). So after dinner it was tinnies in the room, just like how all adventure bikers do it! .

 

[Hatcho]

Next morning's brekkie was an optional extra, so we indulged in fancy yoghurts topped up with granola. All washed down with Barry's Tea. No foodie pics I'm afraid . With the bike loaded, we checked out and rode the few hundred metres to the ferry terminal. Dead handy.

Two Triple Blacks


We had a few options for our route to Bergen. It was already drizzly and we could see plenty of rain coming in from the south west.

Rain on the way


We opted to head south on the E39 for a bit and then follow the 570 west to Sløvåg where we'd catch another ferry to Leirvåg. The 570 was a lovely road even in the falling rain. One of those 'sit back and enjoy the spin' roads.

The Leirvåg ferry brought us into a very industrial area. Not quite as picturesque as the scenery to date.

Once off the second ferry the riding some became quite monotonous and we just found ourselves wanting to get to our hotel. As we approached Bergen the traffic increased and the pace decreased. It felt weird to be back among so many buildings, vehicles and people.

 

[The Stimulator]

Sounds like you’re on the homeward stretch Sean. Looks like you have had a wonderful time, and thanks for the daily updates. Safe travels.

 

[digby]

We met a bunch of riders on top of the mountain behind Geiranger - spoke with some guys from Ireland who had trucked the bikes over

Was it you ??

 

[Hatcho]

We met a bunch of riders on top of the mountain behind Geiranger - spoke with some guys from Ireland who had trucked the bikes over

Was it you ??

It's just meself and the boss on the GS. We're not travelling in a group. But it's definitely a crew who've used Overlanders to get here.

 

[Hatcho]

Sounds like you’re on the homeward stretch Sean. Looks like you have had a wonderful time, and thanks for the daily updates. Safe travels.

Cheers Iain, we're coming into the final few days now and it's been an incredible trip. I kinda thought things were winding down as we approached the finish line but as you'll soon see Norway hasn't stopped giving and giving.

 

[Hatcho]

Bergen was our one and only city break and I have to say it didn't disappoint. We had booked into the Clarion Hotel in Bergen which is right in the centre of town only metres from the harbour and fishmarket.

When we rolled up outside the hotel front door I went inside to check in while Pauline waited with the bike and gear. With the formalities done we lugged our kit to our 5th floor room (via the lift of course), then I returned to the bike to check out the parking arrangements.

None of the centrally located hotels have parking available but there was no way I was leaving the GS out on the street. Under the Clarion there is parking which is operated independently to the hotel. I had attempted to register online with the carpark company but no joy.

With no barrier at the entrance, no option to purchase a ticket and all the bays numbered, this was obviously a pre-book only setup. I'd be taking someone else's spot if I used a bay so that wasn't an option.

Of course being a semi-professional adventure bike rider, I quickly found a solution...

Went in nose first while doing a stoppie, then swung the arse in. Lastly dropped the centre stand before letting the rear end land. Boom.

 

[Hatcho]

Back to the room to get showered, change into civvies and dine like adventure bikers do...


Once the beer storage issue was resolved...

...it was time to go exploring.

 

[Hatcho]

We'd spotted these monsters on the way in so I dragged Pauline away from the gift shops and bars to get some pics. These things are HUGE. The photos don't do them justice...if you zoom in, you can see me standing by the black fencing


Mate of mine who captains these kind of ships informed me that they carry out subsea construction and anchor handling. Rigs and offshore refineries can have 12 anchors. Each link on the anchor chains weigh 500kg and these ships deploy them.

That would explain the rounded arse section and the humungous crane then!


I just love big things (fnarr fnarr, suit you sir!). If it's mechanical, then I'm extra curious. If I don't know what it's for, then I'm downright nosey!

 

[Hatcho]

We had two nights in Bergen which gave us a day off the bike. With not a gravel trail in sight I had to concede to a day of sightseeing, browsing and general touristy stuff. Sometimes in life you gotta make the tough choices. .

First thing to do - get fed. Pauline is vegetarian so as a special treat I brought her to the fish market. Sometimes I really outdo myself . It's not a market as such, more a collection of canopied outdoor restaurants. Pauline went for the veggie burger (only suitable option) and it was tiger prawns all the way for me.

Lord God, they were good. Then it was time to explore the lovely waterfront with all it's shops, cafés and most importantly, bars.

 

[Hatcho]

The waterfront really quite pretty. Sometimes the really touristy spots are super tacky (e.g. Temple Bar), but not here.


The only question here is which one? My answer is them all.


Waterfront monument


This may or may not be a monument to Buster Gonad.


No idea why, but I'm always fascinated by the different manhole covers when I'm away. So welcome to my nerdy indulgence!

 

[Hatcho]

The side streets are very beautiful and host shops way more upmarket than those on the waterfront...







I dragged Pauline into every arty shot I could think of. Poor girl gets no peace.


As we strolled about we came upon loads of street games being played by children and adults alike. Most awesome and a great atmosphere.

Lego Lego everywhere!


How long will it be before chess piece colours are considered offensive...

 

[Hatcho]

I took 100s of photos during our city break so here's a selection of them. Otherwise I'll break the WiFi and get in trouble again!

Interesting history to this house...

All explained here:


Take every opportunity to make new friends!







Buy a brown door, get a black one for free! Can I still say that kinda thing?


View from up on the hill, beautiful. I can see my hotel from here!


The old and the new juxtapositioned.

 

[Hatcho]

Oh, and the obligatory beer pic. Almost forgot!

 

[Hatcho]

On our second night we found ourselves in O"Connors Irish bar (I know I know), but it turned out to be a stroke of good fortune. Along with our most excellent New Yorker barman George, who gifted us free tshirts we met a Cork man John with his Bostonian wife Beth, their son Seán and his fiancée Erica. They were touring Norway by public transport and had just rocked into Bergen that day. Suffice to say we didn't leave the pub thirsty.