Norway May 2010 ... please help!!
- Thread starter SlowJohn
- Start date
SlowJohn
Registered user
Does anyone know if "cart tracks" (Kjerrevei in Norwegian) are legal for motobikes?
PM me an email addy and I will send it to you.
ThorH
Registered user
Hard to tell, but it's not meant for cars. If MapSource routes it, it's usually ok.
LEIGH
Guest
Thanks for all your help so far, we have had some great advise.
Now then are there any 'Must See' sights in Norway beit a special view, a waterfall, a cliff face, a feat of modern engineering or even a special Biker Friendly Bar or meeting place?
As John said earlier we both have on bike GPS ( I might have to find the ON button) so co-ordinates would work for us.
It would be a real shame to Miss something memorable by a mile or two just because we didn't know of the existance in advance.
Maybe post a teazer pic???
Thanks all
Now then are there any 'Must See' sights in Norway beit a special view, a waterfall, a cliff face, a feat of modern engineering or even a special Biker Friendly Bar or meeting place?
As John said earlier we both have on bike GPS ( I might have to find the ON button) so co-ordinates would work for us.
It would be a real shame to Miss something memorable by a mile or two just because we didn't know of the existance in advance.
Maybe post a teazer pic???
Thanks all
rdover
Registered user
Hey chaps, you are about 1 day ahead of us.
Richard (me), Alan & Karen are heading over for 3 weeks in Norway. Going Glasgow - Harwich (bikes on trailer) - Esberg - Copenhagen - Oslo then heading straight up to Nordkapp (7 days) then tottering our way back south.
This plan may change as we gather more information and we're not booking anything except our ferries there and back and rooms for Copenhagen on the way out and Oslo on the way back.
I'm being a girl about camping - actually about sanitation really - so we're hitting the Hyttes mostly.
Lots of thoughts about the route and although we really want to do Nordkapp simply to say we've done it, we are looking for a serious riding holiday with lots of stuff to look at rather than massive distance to cover. We've got some POI's to look at - Maelstrom, road to/from Hell, Lofotens, Arctic Circle - but that's about it.
We are going to be guided by weather mostly, limiting our mileage to sub 300 miles per day (hoping to stick to ~200) with several days to simply investigate an area. Flexibility is the key.
Richard (me), Alan & Karen are heading over for 3 weeks in Norway. Going Glasgow - Harwich (bikes on trailer) - Esberg - Copenhagen - Oslo then heading straight up to Nordkapp (7 days) then tottering our way back south.
This plan may change as we gather more information and we're not booking anything except our ferries there and back and rooms for Copenhagen on the way out and Oslo on the way back.
I'm being a girl about camping - actually about sanitation really - so we're hitting the Hyttes mostly.
Lots of thoughts about the route and although we really want to do Nordkapp simply to say we've done it, we are looking for a serious riding holiday with lots of stuff to look at rather than massive distance to cover. We've got some POI's to look at - Maelstrom, road to/from Hell, Lofotens, Arctic Circle - but that's about it.
We are going to be guided by weather mostly, limiting our mileage to sub 300 miles per day (hoping to stick to ~200) with several days to simply investigate an area. Flexibility is the key.
rdover
Registered user
edit: We arrive in Oslo on the 25th May
ThorH
Registered user
What is it with you guys, the Polar Circle and the North Cape? 
Here is the Polar Circle:
You could probably weld up a nicer one in your garage...
And the North Cape is just the worst tourist trap. They pick you clean, and nine times out of ten you'll only see a big parking lot and a wall of fog anyway. And it isn't even the northernmost point...
Your one week up and two down will work, but I would have rather spent the three weeks in the South-West. That's where the spectacular scenery and great riding is. Or, as a compromise, only go as far North as Lofoten. 300 miles is a pretty long day in the seat, even on the E6. On the West coast, 200 can be too much if you want to smell the roses.
Here is the Polar Circle:
You could probably weld up a nicer one in your garage...
And the North Cape is just the worst tourist trap. They pick you clean, and nine times out of ten you'll only see a big parking lot and a wall of fog anyway. And it isn't even the northernmost point...
Your one week up and two down will work, but I would have rather spent the three weeks in the South-West. That's where the spectacular scenery and great riding is. Or, as a compromise, only go as far North as Lofoten. 300 miles is a pretty long day in the seat, even on the E6. On the West coast, 200 can be too much if you want to smell the roses.
If I had 1NOK for ever person I had said that to I would have no worries funding my next trip over.What is it with you guys, the Polar Circle and the North Cape?
Here is the Polar Circle:
You could probably weld up a nicer one in your garage...
And the North Cape is just the worst tourist trap. They pick you clean, and nine times out of ten you'll only see a big parking lot and a wall of fog anyway. And it isn't even the northernmost point...
Your one week up and two down will work, but I would have rather spent the three weeks in the South-West. That's where the spectacular scenery and great riding is. Or, as a compromise, only go as far North as Lofoten. 300 miles is a pretty long day in the seat, even on the E6. On the West coast, 200 can be too much if you want to smell the roses.
People like the targets to hit tho eh?
rdover
Registered user
Its no different to visitors to the UK heading to Land's End or John O'Groats. Neither is furthesy south/north (Lizzard and Dunnet Head respectively) but still they want to tick those boxes.
We are no different and if we could take an overnight ferry from Newcastle to Stavanger or Kristiansand then we'd have almost 4 weeks of riding and plenty time to do it all without rushing.
As it is, 200 miles on Norwegian roads are going to be no worse than 200 miles on the Scottish West coast single track roads and we can happily do 200 miles in a day there
Planning goes on apace, but we will be guided more by weather and arse tenderness than anything else.
We are no different and if we could take an overnight ferry from Newcastle to Stavanger or Kristiansand then we'd have almost 4 weeks of riding and plenty time to do it all without rushing.
As it is, 200 miles on Norwegian roads are going to be no worse than 200 miles on the Scottish West coast single track roads and we can happily do 200 miles in a day there
Planning goes on apace, but we will be guided more by weather and arse tenderness than anything else.
Indeed, and I'd still recommend they went somewhere different (better) instead.
You seem pretty sure about your plan and what it entails, which kinda begs the question why ask if it is feasible if you are so sure it is?We are no different and if we could take an overnight ferry from Newcastle to Stavanger or Kristiansand then we'd have almost 4 weeks of riding and plenty time to do it all without rushing.
As it is, 200 miles on Norwegian roads are going to be no worse than 200 miles on the Scottish West coast single track roads and we can happily do 200 miles in a day there
Planning goes on apace, but we will be guided more by weather and arse tenderness than anything else.
It is feasible btw, just not (in the opinion of quite a few people who have been and done it) the best....
The 200 miles a day will be very easy, just quite boring compared to the SW of the country and indeed the west coast of Scotland. The (main) roads north of Trondheim are wide and flowing and through far less stunning scenery than that of the SW (think A9 to Inverness but not dual carriageway).
In the fjords and mountains down south around every corner you will go "wow!
".On the long open stretches heading north you will be twiddling thumbs and going "are we there yet?".
Personally if I felt I must head north I would up the daily mileage for the first week to get up there and back as quickly as possible, then slow things down back down in the Fjords and take the time to enjoy that area. We were averaging 350 miles a day in the far twistier roads down south so 400 a day heading up and back to the north cape and back shouldn't be unreasonable and would mean getting there and back in under a week leaving you two weeks to play on the far better roads and take in the stunning scenery down south...
rdover
Registered user
As with all trips of this type its not possible to give you all the information on who is going on which bikes and what experience they have. Throw in the variables of weather, stopping to look at pretty places, breakdowns etc etc and the planning become exponentially more complicated.
Opinions seem split equally on whether the North is worth the trip but we will not know for ourselves until we get there. We want to head up to the Lofotens for the wildlife anyway which takes us more than half way.
Your comment on heading up fast is valid and I've commented on another thread that we'll probably head up and back to the Lofotens in 6 days then potter our way down but the beauty of asking is you get lots of info and pictures which let you make up your own mind.
So any pictures of Nordkapp out there?
Opinions seem split equally on whether the North is worth the trip but we will not know for ourselves until we get there. We want to head up to the Lofotens for the wildlife anyway which takes us more than half way.
Your comment on heading up fast is valid and I've commented on another thread that we'll probably head up and back to the Lofotens in 6 days then potter our way down but the beauty of asking is you get lots of info and pictures which let you make up your own mind.
So any pictures of Nordkapp out there?
ThorH
Registered user
Richard, the quicker route is through Sweden. (Big yawn.) Or by plane.
For pics and scenic routes, I suggest you look at the links we have posted around here to the various tourist sites. Or Google.
Andrew; won't have access to them until next week, I'll try to remember. Or maybe someone else who has them can forward them?
For pics and scenic routes, I suggest you look at the links we have posted around here to the various tourist sites. Or Google.
Andrew; won't have access to them until next week, I'll try to remember. Or maybe someone else who has them can forward them?
LEIGH
Guest
Ive just been looking at the Maps around the SW more specifically the Jostedalsbreen glacier and have noticed we may have to use some short ferry trips to continue north without having to zig zag to much.
Do these type of ferries cross regularily and what sort of price do they charge per bike?? Also is it best to use cash or credit card for these crossings?
Also Where would be the best place to view the glacier??
cheers all
Do these type of ferries cross regularily and what sort of price do they charge per bike?? Also is it best to use cash or credit card for these crossings?
Also Where would be the best place to view the glacier??
cheers all
This may make the run up north more interesting:
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143263
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143263
The ferries vary in cost but roughly a tenner. They are part and parcel of the road network so subsidised. For the most part they go regularly all day long. Use cash.
As for the glacier we went to the Nigardsbreen.
http://www.gulesider.no/kart/?spraa...2213475&userLat=6838909.314302846&tab=address
http://www.visitnorway.com/en/Artic...e-holiday/Hiking-at-the-Nigardsbreen-Glacier/
from the various pictures I have seen of both sides is the better site to visit...
That is just my opinion tho.
Various other places to view the glacier up close here:
http://jostedalsbreen.info/english/glacier.htm
LEIGH
Guest
Cheers Adam thats great stuff.
Shame that postal road is to far north for this trip
There is a fantastic video here of that road and some others in the area which ( i apologise to the owner of the vid for borrowing it ) is about 35mins long but well worth a watch.
https://sakerlagring.telia.se/user/share.aspx?id=988f5805-3a48-43fb-b9dd-da3957299c6b
are there any more roads like this on the way up to Bodo????
Shame that postal road is to far north for this trip
There is a fantastic video here of that road and some others in the area which ( i apologise to the owner of the vid for borrowing it ) is about 35mins long but well worth a watch.
https://sakerlagring.telia.se/user/share.aspx?id=988f5805-3a48-43fb-b9dd-da3957299c6b
are there any more roads like this on the way up to Bodo????
There are loads of gravel roads about. Most tunnels have an old road going around them. Anything that would be a C road in the UK is gravel surfaced.
Get off the main roads and there's loads of it around.
http://www.gulesider.no/kart/?spraa...1416935.22435&zoom=4&layers=0B000&tab=address
If you zoom in on that the gravel is shown as thin grey and then (as you zoom in further) white roads. Also there are a couple of shades of red, the dull red is gravel too.
Get off the main roads and there's loads of it around.
http://www.gulesider.no/kart/?spraa...1416935.22435&zoom=4&layers=0B000&tab=address
If you zoom in on that the gravel is shown as thin grey and then (as you zoom in further) white roads. Also there are a couple of shades of red, the dull red is gravel too.
eclectic
Registered user
I have read the threads with interest and taken on board that it is best to explore SW Norway rather than box tick going North.
Checking ferries and it looks that best route is over to Esbjerg (Denmark) from UK and then North to Norway.
There appears to be strange pricing on ferries from Hirtshals to Norway. From there to either Kristiansand or Larvik one way seems to be over £150 (30 June two up on bike) The crossing is about 3.5 hours.
However there is a ferry from Hirtshals to Bergen (19.5 hours) which costs approximately €193 one way, this including an overnight berth.
I also notice that Stena operate a ferry from Frederikshavn to Gothenburg for £34.50 one way.
Several questions.
Anyone else coming up with the same prices or am I missing something!!
Assuming prices right (ish) what are your thoughts on taking ferry to Bergen and then meandering back down SW Norway. Then possibly back to UK via Sweden (I know ..forests ...) Copenhagen, North Germany etc. ?
Slainte
Checking ferries and it looks that best route is over to Esbjerg (Denmark) from UK and then North to Norway.
There appears to be strange pricing on ferries from Hirtshals to Norway. From there to either Kristiansand or Larvik one way seems to be over £150 (30 June two up on bike) The crossing is about 3.5 hours.
However there is a ferry from Hirtshals to Bergen (19.5 hours) which costs approximately €193 one way, this including an overnight berth.
I also notice that Stena operate a ferry from Frederikshavn to Gothenburg for £34.50 one way.
Several questions.
Anyone else coming up with the same prices or am I missing something!!
Assuming prices right (ish) what are your thoughts on taking ferry to Bergen and then meandering back down SW Norway. Then possibly back to UK via Sweden (I know ..forests ...) Copenhagen, North Germany etc. ?
Slainte
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