Norway here we come - July 2024

[Hatcho]

Alas next morning it was time to hit the road again. With slightly fuzzy heads (no idea how that happened ) we packed up and prepared to leave.
Having the bike under the hotel meant it was just one lift ride to bring down our gear - happy days! No one had seemed bothered about my 'unofficial' adventure biker parking solution, but just in case there would be any issue, my waterproof cover 'fell over' my numberplate as we left the carpark.

 

[Bravo]

Sean,
I'm more than a little jealous of you on this trip,obviously it's not helping my mental health all those updates you keep sending me via WhatsApp (keep them coming).
Hope Pauls is feeling better.

 

[Hatcho]

So, some tips if you visit Bergen on your tour of Norway:

• Stay in the Clarion Hotel - underground parking is very convenient, and parking is sometimes free . It's very central, and the brekkie is top notch.
• Do the funicular train thing, lots of open space, savage views and lots of things to do up top.
• Check out the back streets away from the hustle and bustle, way more authentic.
• Walk along the battlements, it's free and is quite interesting.
• Fish market grub is superb.
• Guinness in O"Connors is pretty good.

There's plenty more info on the Internet, but we came away delighted with our stay

 

[Colm Cummins]

So, some tips if you visit Bergen on your tour of Norway:

• Stay in the Clarion Hotel - underground parking is very convenient, and parking is sometimes free . It's very central, and the brekkie is top notch.
• Do the funicular train thing, lots of open space, savage views and lots of things to do up top.
• Check out the back streets away from the hustle and bustle, way more authentic.
• Walk along the battlements, it's free and is quite interesting.
• Fish market grub is superb.
• Guinness in O"Connors is pretty good.

There's plenty more info on the Internet, but we came away delighted with our stay

Thank you for sharing,

 

[Hatcho]

Our final destination was Oslo airport and leaving Bergen it felt like the trip was starting to wind down. But Norway just keeps on giving and giving.

Our route had us following the E16 to Voss, where we pulled over for a wee break by the waterside.

Back onto the bike and after riding through the blue-lit tunnel roundabouts, we followed the 7 towards Eidfjord and onto Geilo. This road is amazing. Google maps doesn't prepare you for how amazing a journey will be.

We pulled over for another leg stretch after travelling through a series of twisty tunnels. Just a random stop and this is what you get...


While we chilled out the rest of the world flew by..

The landscape changed as we went higher and higher. The snow poles on both sides of the road and the ski resorts meant we were now at altitude. The slopes were green it being mid-summer but instead of skiers there were plenty of mountain bikers out enjoying the trails.

This was a fun road with loads of twisties and overtaking points...

...and it just went on and on!

 

[Hatcho]

Before reaching our most excellent accommodation (more on that later), we pulled into Geilo to replenish supplies. Tonight was self catering so dinner and brekkie was purchased in the Rema supermarket. Had a quick chat with some Swedish bikers on a tour of their own.

Fully loaded we got back on the road with less than an hour to go. Champion.

 

[Hatcho]

Tonight's accommodation was booked the night before. While browsing the Interweb I found a rather novel place to stay. Remember the 500 year old food storage huts? Well this one had been carefully redecorated as a two storey home. What a place!


Kitchen


Bedroom


Bathroom


Balcony view


Front door view

 

[Hatcho]

The structure had been beautifully preserved with the old latches and locks still in place. Power shower, decent kitchen, room heating and dimmable lighting were just some of the mod cons that were tastefully added. I was loving this. We'd done well in terms of places to stay, but I'd outdone myself this time.

 

[Hatcho]

Our host, a Columbian lady who came to Norway 24 years ago and setup Hesla Farm 8 years ago, served me a delicious beer which I slowly quaffed while sitting outside.

The peace and quiet was intoxicating. Located just outside of town, all you could hear was mother nature doing her thing. This is how adventure bikers chill out .

I wandered into the main building for a ganders and couldn't possibly expect what I saw next. Eclectic just doesn't cover it!

Yup, that's a pink and purple bar with animal skins on the seats!


And those are embedded led floor lights.


Chandeliers only add to the bling


Slightly elderly cash register - didn't work with Revolut.


Pretty sure I saw this in a Clint Eastwood western

 

[Hatcho]

Our final destination was Oslo airport and leaving Bergen it felt like the trip was starting to wind down. But Norway just keeps on giving and giving.

Our route had us following the E16 to Voss, where we pulled over for a wee break by the waterside.
View attachment 341394
Back onto the bike and after riding through the blue-lit tunnel roundabouts, we followed the 7 towards Eidfjord and onto Geilo. This road is amazing. Google maps doesn't prepare you for how amazing a journey will be.

We pulled over for another leg stretch after travelling through a series of twisty tunnels. Just a random stop and this is what you get...
View attachment 341395
View attachment 341397
While we chilled out the rest of the world flew by..

The landscape changed as we went higher and higher. The snow poles on both sides of the road and the ski resorts meant we were now at altitude. The slopes were green it being mid-summer but instead of skiers there were plenty of mountain bikers out enjoying the trails.

This was a fun road with loads of twisties and overtaking points...

...and it just went on and on!

Apologies, must've been tired and posted the same clip twice

 

[Hatcho]

Next morning I woke before 6am which has been the case for nearly the whole trip. I think it might be down to excitement about what the day will bring. I'm not entirely sure I'll feel the same when I'm back in work next week! But enough of that kinda talk, back to the here and now.

I head downstairs, make my brekkie and follow it with a cup of tae.


Then it's out to explore the grounds of this most wonderful place. This chap announces to the world that morning has arrived...


Whilst the ladies keep an eye on the young ones.


Love those subtle colours


These two were very chatty, bit like meself.

 

[Hatcho]

With all of this socialising another cupán tae was required. In Irish whiskey is called 'uisce beatha' which means water of life, but I'm not so sure. If not at the top, tea comes a very close second! I'm always suspicious of folks who don't drink tea or coffee - how on earth do they chat to people, indulge in that calming moment, or eat biscuits? And what do they do with all of that spare time? Plot world domination I reckon.


Two early morning teas could mean only one thing. It was time for a wee nap.
Luckily a most comfortable hammock was at hand to save the day.

I could get used to this....

 

[Hatcho]

Yesterday after we'd arrived I had heard the distinctive sound of a GS parking up. Indeed when I headed out of our house there was another GS parked beside mine.

We were lucky enough to get chatting to it's owners, Jarle and Anne Mari, two bikers from western Norway. Lovelier people you would not meet. We got chatting about bikes, touring, cats, dogs...even the weather! Only a day previously I had said to Pauline that we hadn't had the opportunity to have a good natter with some Norwegian bikers. Well that box was now well and truly ticked. Lovely folks whom I really hope we'll meet again be it in Ireland or Norway.

The four of us chatted away until I realised check out was only 30 mins away and we hadn't even started to pack up. Cue mad running around our digs with Benny Hill music playing in the background!

 

[Hatcho]

Today's ride was from Gol to Hønefoss. Forecast was for warm and dry weather all day. With a relatively short route ahead of us it was time to fire up Calimoto and use its magic to get us off the main roads. And it worked a treat!

A good example of the silly things I think of doing while on the bike

Local talent on the 'walk of shame' home after a night out clubbing

Adventure biker, movie director, jax blocker...my list of talents is almost endless

 

[Hatcho]

It was really warming up so it was nice to stop for a leg stretch, wee bit of choccy and a drink of water.

Pauline wants to play hide and seek!


In every direction the roads are great.


Can we go now, can we, can we?

 

[Hatcho]

Time to get moving...


As we got closer to Hønefoss the landscape changed into farmland. I love that feeling of growth all around that the summer months bring. Mother Nature putting in double shifts.

 

[Hatcho]

We had chosen Hønefoss as our final night on the bike as it was just a quick spin to drop off point for the bike. Also when we rode through it on day one, the waterfall looked pretty spectacular.



Some interesting street art




And nice buildings


Perhaps we'd been spoilt by the places we'd been but Hønefoss was a bit bland. Next time we'll find an alternate spot to stay. That said, our dinners were delicious. Happy bellies all round.


For the rest of the evening we just chilled. Oh, and reconfigured our kit packing in advance of dropping off the bike. The stress of it!

 

[Hatcho]

Next morning was an earlyish start. David from Overlanders had been in touch to see if we could make the rendezvous by 9am. That way Derek, who was driving the truck would make his ferry the same evening.

While loading our kit onto the bike I noticed one of the grab rail bolts had loosened. This translated into a bit of movement in the RHS pillion handle. Not exactly ideal considering we're fully loaded with luggage. A quick nip up with a torx wrench and a check of the other bolts and all is good.

The offending article:


The uneventful spin from Hønefoss to Oslo airport took less than an hour and we rolled up beside the truck just after half past eight. Derek had all but one other bike loaded so the GS would be the last to board. We quickly changed into our civvies - I expect my white Irish arse is all over some poor chaps CCTV footage. Definitely not viewing for the light hearted! . After a wee chat with Derek we handed over the bike and kit and he got stuck in loading the last bikes and bits onto the trailer. The we strolled the few minutes walk to the Scandic Hotel.

 

[The Stimulator]

Sean, thanks for the great trip report; even though I had just got back from Norway myself you reflected some of my thoughts far more eloquently than I could ever have done. The ‘wow’ factor of the place really has to be seen to be believed.

 

[Hatcho]

Well, like I said Norway just keeps on giving. Our check in time wasn't until 3pm so we had several hours to burn. A quick chat with the girl at reception revealed getting into central Oslo would take less than 30 mins. We left most of our kit in the luggage room and headed off. After getting the shuttle bus to the airport, we then jumped on a train into Oslo.

Time for a snack robbed from our hotel brekkie...yummy.


Twenty odd minutes later we're right in the middle of Oslo town. Awesome.

First thing on the agenda was some last minute gift shopping. My tolerance for gift shopping is up there with invasive dental work. Thin at best...but needs must as they say.

Oslo is quite pretty...


Whilst browsing the shops I found a rather fetching replacement for my Nexx lid. With this I would be revered by my adventure biker peers!


After a while I was getting hot and bothered (literally) and poor Pauline was the prime recipient of my not so happy mood. Down at the waterfront we found a spot to settle. And hit the jackpot.