The Full Report & Images
This trip started life two years ago when I was on a mini Wapping adventure into France. One of my fellow travelers said to me that the Ferry between Newcastle and Bergan in Norway was going to be reinstated. I was very excited and called my mate to start sorting the detail.
However, upon investigation the Newcastle ferry was nowhere near being reinstated and even worse the ferry between Harwich and Esbjerg in Denmark also ceased running at the end of 2014!
So last year we had a spectacular tour of Germany -
http://ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/382880-Germany-Calling-Germany-Calling
But 2015 was definitely going to be Norway
I decided the only way was to do a circular trip. Starting with the ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland, a few city visits, Amsterdam, Hamburg and Copenhagen then across to Sweden and over into Norway for three days touring. I then planned to sail out of Larvick across to Denmark and ride home.
3000 miles, 10 days, 9 nights. Easy!
I had planned to go with my riding buddy Andrew, but unfortunately he could no longer make it so I decided after two years I was not going to wait any longer and would do it solo.
Day One
Easy ride down to Harwich missing most of the rain, smooth crossing and I was in Amsterdam by 6.00pm
Day Two
A misty but dry day. Got the photo of the RT on one of the many canal bridges and headed of to Hamburg.
I had plotted a steady ride on A and B roads with a few ferry crossings. The sun came out and it was enjoyable riding although the landscape was pretty boring and flat!
Arrived in Hamburg, found my hotel but was in a bit of a panic as it looked like a back street ghetto!
However, the hotel was great, my bike was secure in a locked private yard and the graffiti is all art. Apparently!
There was also a music festival on the Reeperbahn which was lucky. Few Harleys out also.
Day Three
Hamburg up to Copenhagen. Again another steady ride but I have to say the scenery was very flat and boring! I had never been to Copenhagen so that kind of made up for it.
Day Four
With the fantastic Oresund Bridges tackled I was quickly into Sweden. The scenery was slightly more interesting and the riding was very easy now as there was hardly any traffic.
Day Five
I left the hotel at 8.30 and by 12.30 I was crossing into Norway! At last I was here.
The roads became great the scenery got turned up to 12 and I really felt I had escaped the rat race.
Blessed with superb weather I was making the most of taking pictures and doing a little filming on the GoPro.
I had read a lot about the speed limits but I had got used to riding at 50 MPH through Denmark and Sweden. The first day in Denmark I saw five mobile speed trap vans! The roads in Norway were very much like good quality B roads with plenty of twists and turns so 50 was no real pain.
Day Six
Having had half a days sample of the terrific scenery in Norway I was really looking forward to a full days riding northwest.
Even leaving the small town this is what you find...
I was not to be disappointed the landscape became more dramatic with every mile traveling northwest. It was a real pleasure to ride through such great natural beauty. The photos I have put on here really don’t do it justice. It’s not just the scenery either, you can actually taste the air is clean. Really amazing.
Several times I was riding along thinking this must be one of the best roads I’ve been on, I wonder how long it goes on for? Then to look at my Nav and it’s saying next turn 42 miles!!!
Un paved roads would also pop up now and again!
Worth it though!
I pulled up to my hotel at 6.00pm. It was just how I had imaged it. Set right on the shore of the fjord with spectacular views in all directions. The hotel manager lady was genuinely please to see a British biker and explained that since the Newcastle ferry had stopped running she hardly sees any Brit bikes anymore. With that she gave me the key to the best room in the hotel with its full width balcony overlooking the fjord
And the bedroom complete with Viking ship bed!
Day Seven
The road to my hotel (Leikanger Fjord Hotel) runs along the Sognefjord for 30 or so miles and unless you want to ride back the way you came you ride an extra 10 minutes west to Hella where you have to catch the ferry south across the fjord to Vangsnes. This was the start of my journey southeast to Larvick where I was to catch the ferry the next morning to Denmark. I was quite sad when I boarded the Hella ferry as I knew my Norway adventure was coming to a close.
However, I did still have a 360 mile ride through even more stunning landscape!
Day Eight Nine & Ten
Up early on day eight had me on the ferry to Denmark. The weather was sunny and bright and as I headed south it would become warmer and warmer.
I guess this last three days is the price we pay when there are no ferries sailing from the UK to Norway and Denmark.
Still worth it though!!!
Next time?
Oh yes, but I will just blast up the motorways (E45) from Calais to Hirtshals in Denmark. This is 781 miles but all at 80mph (even in Denmark) so only 12 hours. Ferry into Larvik and then loads of time heading north and getting beyond the Artic Circle. Apparently the Atlantic road is fantastic……………
