Q for those who have been to norway...

[ericthebrave]

I'm thinking of going in june. I can get ferry from Newcastle to Stavanger, Haugesund or Bergen.

I was thinking of the 12.30pm dept to Stavanger (arrives 8am next day then continues to bergen- arrives there at 3pm!!), then i saw another midweek crossing to Bergen. Depts 1300 and arrives bergen 1030 next morning so this one is only 2 hours longer than the Stavanger crossing.

Which would you get?? is the scenery / roads better around bergen and the north ? or would you just get the Stavanger crossing and ride from there?

I did have a lonely planet guide to refer to lol but my mate lost it and i havent had time to replace it yet!!

 

[markie_wales]

Which would you get?? is the scenery / roads better around bergen and the north ? or would you just get the Stavanger crossing and ride from there?QUOTE]

I took the Newcastle -> Kristensand (sp?) last year (no longer available IIRC), and would say go to Stavanger and ride from there.

If I had my time again (I also went in June) I'd book the time off work and then check the forcast before before booking the ferry. I had 6 days riding there, and even Noah would have said "bugger that" for the first three days. I'd definately go again, but only if I had a better chance of drier weather (NOTE not "rain free"). 23 (?) hairpins down into Lysebotn in torrential rain is something I can live without!

Absolutly cracking place to ride, but you have to understand the weather.

Also, out of town the "national speed limit" signs mean 80kph so that's circa 50mph - gulp. I think 30kpm over the limit is an on the spot ban so at 70mph you better have some good walking boots. That said, we saw VERY few police out and about when away from the major population centres.

Give it a couple of years and I'll go back, but will check the weather a week ahead, and if it's like it was in 2006, I'll take the tunnel for the Alps instead!



Having re-read this, it sounds like I'm on a downer - not intended - maybe we were just really unlucky?

Cheers

Mark

 

[ebbo]

Quote from http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/features/wildweather1.shtml
Donal takes a ride with the rains from the wettest place in Europe, the little known Norwegian town of Bergen where it rains 265 days of the year

Mind you, Norway is an absolutely brilliant place when the sun shines
http://www.ebbo.org/norway1.php

 

[pegasus]

Just this morming booked the Newcastle-Stavanger route sailing Fri 29th June return Sun 8th July..

Dont go into Bergen, Stavanger the better option then pick up the R13 and head north. My second trip so familiar with the fun bits.

6 of us on this one staying in Hyttes..
Pics from our last trip.........click on Norway 2005- http://community.webshots.com/user/closethegate

Are you off to Norway on your own?....

 

[unhinged]

Rode from Kristiansand roughly along the coast through Stavanger and then inland up to to Bergen before starting East. I loved the whole lot. You can't go wrong from either location I don't reckon. Bergen does have a reputation for 230 odd days of rain a year though and it lived up to it's name when we were there but I'm guessing there's not much in it.

I guess if I was having to choose I'd go to Bergen. I've got fantastic memories of riding around Odda and Voss, absolutely stunning.

 

[aloowishus]

Ive just booked Newcastle - Stavangar on 25th May returning 2nd June.

This is my first trip abroad on my bike in over 30 years of motorcycling so as you can guess i'm really excited about it. Taking my son as pillion and staying in Hyttes. Bugger camping at my age !

Not sorted any routes out yet as ive got plenty of time to plan.

Anyone else travelling on that date ?

 

[LivNorway]

Hi Eric the brave!

Tell me what you want to see / where you want to go, and I'll help you pick Stavanger, Haugesund or Bergen.
If you are not afraid of riding down a steep & fun road, then don't miss Lysebotn; - Stavanger are better then Bergen if you want to go there.
But if you want to go as far north as possible in your holiday, then pick Bergen.

-How many days are you going to stay in Norway?
Keep in mind you better not ride fast here, and even the main roads are slow compare to England. And there are so much to look at!
If you got one week over here (not included the time on the ferry) I say it's just enough time for Bergen-Lofoten-out/in fjords-ferries on fjords-up mountains like Dalsnibba/Geiranger-Bergen. Don't miss Sognefjellet or Stalheimskleiva!

Read my thread called Norway-Norway-Norway! Or try www.visitnorway.com or simular.
-Perhaps you want to meet me at Flåm in July?

Liv.

 

[talltony]

I went Newcastle- Kristiansand last June as well,just two or three days without rain in the 2 weeks!I went right up north and across to the Russian border and back down through Finland and northern Sweden.6000mls in 16 days including the journey home via Dover.It was my first time there so I wanted to see it all!
This year I'll hopefully have more time and will be able to see some of the bits I missed - such as the Lofoten islands.The southern half of Norway is definitely the most scenic,although the wilderness above the Arctic circle has a great appeal for me also.
Camping was around £6/night,Hyttes £15-£30.
Keep an eye on your fuel in the more remote areas-I put 16.5 litres in my 17 litre tank after an anxious hour in northern Sweden on a Sunday morning!
Don't worry about your Lonely Planet guide-there's tons of info on here(thanks Liv )
All in all,a great place to ride whatever the weather IMO.

Tony