Dear reader,
In Norway the road between heaven and hell is long and winding
thats what I experience on my first night ride.
I leave Jorpeland to arrive after a mere 251 km at Kinsarvik.
On the road I have reason to celebrate: today I ride my 10.000th
kilometre. In anticipation of something stronger and more
suitable to the occasion I take a few gulps of fresh water
and drink to my health.
Contrary to what I had anticipated I dont meet hordes
of reindeer but have to call myself lucky when occasionally
one of them ventures across the road luckily not the
moment I come careering past the bend! The advantage of driving
at night is that I dont have to worry about oncoming
traffic in the dark, unlit and at times 4-km long tunnels.
My second night ride will stay an unforgettable adventure.
The program, enough to keep an average tourist busy for a
complete week, looks very promising. I start at the Hardangerfjord
and immediately notice what local people live on. Countless
fruit trees on the slopes along the shores profit from the
prosperous climate. Innumerable waterfalls compel my admiration
the majestic game between sunlight, water and mountains
is indisputably breathtaking.
Via the Gudvanger height I descent to the largest and most
famous fjord of Norway; the Sognjefjord. Its 250 km
long and more than 1700 metre deep. Who would not be tempted
to simply ferry across it? This deepest and longest fjord
used to be the arterial road for the entire region. Without
any ferries one would be lost in Norway. There are about 200
of them to take you across the uncountable fjords.
My " breakfast" today is the climb of the highest
North-European pass, the Jotunheimen " or "the Giants
house". My poor legs which have been cycling for more
than 200 km today protest a little when I demand they bridge
another 1427 metre difference in height and this alongside
walls of snow and ice.
"The 37 km long climb from almost zero till 1440 metre
will only be successful if your cars engine is in top
condition" this is what I read in my guidebook. Hmm,
I think my "engine" is as fit as a fiddle!
On the camping-side in Lom I benefit from a much-needed siesta.
With the schedule for the next days at the back of my mind
I continue the rest of my fjord journey. The Geirangerfjord,
the most photographed fjord in the world, is the Mecca for
the cruise ships and more than once you hear words of admiration!
Eleven hairpin curves bring me to a magnificent "utsikt"
view- on the Trollstigvei meaning nothing less
than "the trolls path". Here I put an end
to my fjord travels, ready to take up the biggest challenge
of the week!
The spaghetti is being cooked, my legs rubbed with oil on
and my poor bottom armed against saddle-soreness: Im
ready to have a go in the cycling classic Trondheim-Oslo.
For me though fully loaded with all my globetrotter
gear - this means "only" joining in for the 340-km
long ride Dombas-Oslo.
My Koga is packed and I strategically take my stand to allow
myself to take some photographs of the fastest among the participants.
Along comes the third group and I take my chance and join
them. After about a hundred km I decide to slow down a bit
in order to arrive in Oslo not only safe and sound but still
in possession of all my stuff. I meet a Flemish group and
join them.
And then the thought that in Oslo I have a date with Anni,
my lovely companion in Norway gives me renewed energy and
I put on a burst of speed!
Who wouldnt?
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