Norway - Safe?

leftofcentre said:
Very interesting.
Just one thing though - why is progress so slow on Norway roads? You said an hour to do 30miles?:eek:
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What do you think you average in the UK when riding twisties?

Then add in a stunning view to photograph round every corner, some seriously twisty roads, the fact many of the roads are gravel, pish stops, food stops, fuel stops into the factor...

Despite cruising at 80mph whenever it was safe to do so, we averaged 250 miles a day, and were on the road for 12+hrs a day. Do the math...
 
AdamA said:
What do you think you average in the UK when riding twisties?

Then add in a stunning view to photograph round every corner, some seriously twisty roads, the fact many of the roads are gravel, pish stops, food stops, fuel stops into the factor...

Despite cruising at 80mph whenever it was safe to do so, we averaged 250 miles a day, and were on the road for 12+hrs a day. Do the math...
Click to expand...

Okay i'l give you the twisties and gravel roads, although to be honest ive never needed a pish, food or refueling after 30miles.......
 
leftofcentre said:
Very interesting.
Just one thing though - why is progress so slow on Norway roads? You said an hour to do 30miles?:eek:
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I find I am not far out allowing an hour for every 50 miles on A roads in the UK: 300 miles takes about 6 hrs. In Norway Speed limits (30kph through villages I seem to remember) and road conditions meant I had to allow an hour for every 30 miles: 300 milesws took about 10hrs.
The low speed limits spoilt Norway for me last time I was there.
 
Devon said:
The low speed limits spoilt Norway for me last time I was there.
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They do if you let them, but really if you are on a road where the speed limit is an issue (because it's straight enough you can exceed it by much, or because the road is such a main road it is likely to be policed) then you are on the wrong road for the most part. There are far better out there...

Having said that, we both took empty credit cards as backup to pay fines, but they weren't required by just sticking to the same rules as in the UK. Only speed where it is safe (for both body and licence) to do so, and don't take the piss when doing so. Surely anyone can ride quite happily like that? :nenau
 
ThorH said:
I received my last ticket in the mid eighties. Just be careful on roads like E6 and in the 50/60 kmph zones. Never mind the cameras, they only snap pictures from the front.

The real danger is the unmarked vehicles, incl 4 bikes. Take a close look when passing, and take notice of cars suddenly following you. In general, you will be left alone if you do e.g. 120 in the 100 zone and don't ride stupid. But if you fly into a speedtrap, they have to take you, even for 3kmph.

In the North of Sweden, there are only mozzies and moose. Go flat out! :thumb
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Quote Andy, the first post:
''is it safe to camp out wild? Any crime? Wild beasts? Women?''

Have you had any problem with wild woman covered with mosquitoes, running from wild beasts, Thor? ;)

:) Liv.
 
having read the thread and trying to be constructive would it be an idea if we knew what the firearms laws are in Norway...?

cos on the Adv forum... there's a wicked looking bracket thing to bolt a nice looking 590A1spx on the side... with solid slug or OO buck that should wake up the neighbours....:D
 
I don't believe it the seller have decided to withdraw the item for sale ....Boo, hissssss.....
My humble apologies to anyone who followed my link this morning and bought a copy, and are now in the same position as myself. Receiving a notice informing them the item has been pulled from sale
 
leftofcentre said:
I am thinking of an expedition upto the Arctic Circle next summer, possibly alone.

is it safe to camp out wild? Any crime? Wild beasts? Women? :D

I have read on here that gas Stations are few and far between up north. Is this a problem for a motorcyclist?

Thanks in advance

Andy
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Just returned from a two week trip from Northern Germany to Norway with a camper van. Sort of a reconnaissance trip for a probable solo trip with the bike next year to NordKapp or Lofoten Islands. Travelled Hirtshals/Larvik. Return via Kristiansand/Hirtshals would have been better, but that ferry had no vehicle space left. (Booked it on-line the day before I left, so my own fault :blast).

Food in supermarkets about 2-2.5 times more expensive than in Germany, but we took a lot of the non perishable stuff and all the booze with us. I think the import limits on booze to Norway are pretty minimal, but we never had any customs checks, even with the dog, and they are pretty strict on animal imports.

Speed cameras are common around the cities (Oslo, Bergen, etc). but also occasionally where you wouldn't expect them. They usually warn you in advance to expect a speed camera, but watch for them in tunnels, etc.

As already said, not many police about and mainly in the cities, However, we met a Greek couple on a 1200 GSA in Oslo and they told me they had been to the NordKapp last year, They had been caught in a police speed check in the north, doing 110km/ in a 90km/h zone. (90 now reduced to 80km/h (50mph) it seems this year). They were fined Euro 800 for the 20 km/h (12.5 mph) excess!! They took advice from Norwegian bikers at the time and were advised not to pay the fine. There were numerous demands for the fine, but they sited the poor state of the Greek economy and eventually there were no more demands. (I would have thought coming back into Norway this year with the same bike would be tempting fate with ANPR camera technology and risking having the bike impounded, but they had had no more problems).

Having said that, I met a Norwegian biker on a Pan at Larvik ferry terminal and he said he generally travelled at up to 20km/h over the limit (where the limit was more than 60km/h) and so far had never received a speeding ticket).

Parking fines are horrendous also. We met a German couple at a camp site and travelled into Oslo with them in their car for a 4h sight seeing spell. Fed the meter about NKr200 (Euro 26) or so for four hours in the evening, but were about 15 mins late returning at 21:00h. A parking attendant got there before us. He wanted NKr700 for the fine. I doubt that is legally enforceable outside Scandinavia, so if it were me I think I would just ignore it.

Everything about motoring in Norway seems expensive, though on a bike I guess you wouldn't have the toll charges, as the cameras are front facing and free for bikes anyway.

We saw very little in the way of wild life, birds of prey, etc. Just a couple of red deer in the wild - surprising. Apparently, this summer has been one of the wettest on record for Norway, so the rivers looked like spring spate - blue glacial melt water and there were no shortage of waterfalls.

Certainly no shortage of good biking roads and fantastic scenery and a bike would be better for stopping for photos. Not so easy with a larger vehicle to stop for photos, without a proper lay-by. Some of the 'main' roads along the fjords are only single track, so driving is interesting and requires your attention, if you hope to stay on the road and in one piece.

Grey Beard
 
Re:"the book"
The EBay seller has since my last post on the subject, re-listed the item a couple of times, only to pull it within hours of listing it, when I've enquired if it was another auction item that they don't have.
However being the Cynical person that I am, the seller has again recently re-listed the book. So over the weekend I again sent the seller a message asking if the book is actually available, and expecting them to pull the auction item. But surprisingly today they replied saying the item IS available. So in blind faith I've decided to again try to buy this book. But I'll be highly surprised if it does turn up, but if it does I'll keep you posted
 
Peirre O`Bollox said:
Re:"the book"
The EBay seller has since my last post on the subject, re-listed the item a couple of times, only to pull it within hours of listing it, when I've enquired if it was another auction item that they don't have.
However being the Cynical person that I am, the seller has again recently re-listed the book. So over the weekend I again sent the seller a message asking if the book is actually available, and expecting them to pull the auction item. But surprisingly today they replied saying the item IS available. So in blind faith I've decided to again try to buy this book. But I'll be highly surprised if it does turn up, but if it does I'll keep you posted
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16 Negative Feedbacks this month alone, unfortunately I'd give this one a miss :mad:
 
Bears in Northern Norway

Coming back to the subject of wild animals, I am toying with the idea of a 50km through walk in Reisa National Park in Troms County (if I can get transport back to the beginning of the walk and the bike), in the far north. It is supposedly a wild true wilderness area with one or two huts (probably unmanned) at which you can overnight.

The guide books say the area (woods) are home to wolverines and bears plus many other wildlife species.

I think Wolverine translates to skunk and these are probably the size of a medium size dog, but have a ferocious reputation. Could be a problem stealing food I guess, but otherwise not an issue.

The bears are brown bears and though I think I would have to be extremely 'lucky' to see one, what are the precautions as regards wild camping in the park? In N America they talk about keeping the food 3m off the ground and 100m away from the tent and not to sleep in the same clothes that you cook in. I guess the same rules apply in Norway, Any other recommendations?

I guess the most dangerous time for a bear encounter is when the sow has cubs it is protecting and you accidentally surprise her. Wild animals are often very protective towards their young ones - my dog had a close encounter with a wild pig & two young ones in the woods here in Germany - a lesson not to forget in a hurry.

I guess this is a specialist question for the Norwegians (ThorH or Liv perhaps?)

Thanks

Grey Beard
 
You worry too much. Our brown bears are a very different species from their American cousins, we're all docile and friendly around here. Just make sure to make a little noise, and you'll never see neither wolverines nor bears. Unless you happen to stumble upon them and threaten their offspring, the bear will run away.

Unless you bring a dog into wolf area, the only wildlife to worry about is moose, elk, deer and reindeer crossing the road. And sheep, goats and cattle.

We haven't had wild pigs here for centuries (if ever), but some are starting to come across from Sweden in the SE.

Have a nice trip!
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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