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Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



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  #1  
Old 27 Jul 2009
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Norway / Sweden / Finland

Hi All

I am thinking about going to the title in September, ferry to Brevik then ride up through Norway to Arctic Circle, then right through Sweden and head into Ruka, Finland, then back to Brevik down the Swedish coast.......

Whats the general opinion of this ride in September, weatherwise etc??

Would really appreciate any comments, good or bad!!

Thanks

Adam-UK

Norway / Sweden / Finland-map.jpg
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  #2  
Old 27 Jul 2009
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I rode to Nordkapp last September. When it rained (in southern Norway and then again in southern Finland) it was cold and somewhat miserable. When the sun was out, it was mostly fine. In clouds it was nippy, and in sea smoke it was downright dangerously chilling. I started seeing subfreezing overnight temperatures near sea level right around the Arctic Circle, but it never did get too cold to ride (no fairing on my KLR, and no heated clothing; just layer after layer of clothes).

Days were still fairly long in the far north, but getting a lot shorter with each passing night. By the equinox I was back south in Poland or thereabouts, and glad of it.

Be aware that a lot of the touristic stuff in the north is closed or near closing by the second week in September. That means fewer choices in hotels, hostels, campgrounds, etc. This won't matter until you arrive late, cold, wet and tired....to a town which appears to have shut down for the winter. This was far less of a problem in the south and up through the fjiords.

Hope that helps.

Mark
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  #3  
Old 27 Jul 2009
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riding scandinavia in september

Hi Adam, it's going to be cool, maybe freezing at night and in the mountains, so woolen underwear and socks, good gloves and maybe heated grips. We cannot gaurantee the weather, but if it's a clear night, and you are away from light pollution, you may see the Northern Lights - absolutly fantastic, well worth cold feet. I tried to make a link with the below, as usual my data capabilities let me down, but HansP has all the info you need. Have a good trip, Peter in Oslo
<DIV id=fw-container>Minutes of a Motorcycle Addict

Two wheels good trip. Four wheels bad trip.



<DIV id=fw-blockContainer>
<DIV id=fw-bigcontain><DIV id=fw-columnContainer><DIV id=fw-mainColumn><DIV class=fw-paragraph>
Learn how to travel in Norway the inexpensive way!

<DIV class=fw-text>Norway is expensive. Compared to other countries it may even seem ridiculously expensive.
What Norway has, though, is incredible nature, incredible scenery and incredible motorcycle roads that should not be missed.
This post is meant to be a guide for all you adventurers who wants to visit this fjord- and mountain-ridden country without the fear of spending all your hard-earned money in a whizz. It's actually quite possible to get by in Norway on - well, if not a shoestring so at least on a mid-sized piece of rope. Here are the tips on how to get by. And please, if you have additional info that should be in this list, please send me an e-mail!

It IS possible to avoid draining your
wallet completely while in Norway.
Photo: HP 2008
PS: Don't be afraid of not knowing any Norwegian. Practically all of us are delighted to have a conversation with you in English, although you totally melt us if you learn some phrases like "tusen takk" (thank you) or "får jeg spandere en øl?" (can I buy you a ?) - even though the reply may very well be "Thanks, but I'd like to buy YOU a - and welcome to Norway!"
PSII: The following are suggestions only. I can not in any way be held liable for any inconvenience or losses due to following any of the advice given. You are, as always, encouraged to do your own research to make sure. Just so you know.
GENERAL INFORMATION

Time

GMT +1 hrs (Summer time from mid-March to mid-October)
Emergency phone numbers

Police: 112
Fire: 110
Ambulance: 113
Major cities

Oslo, capital (south-east)
Trondheim (mid)
Stavanger (oil capital, south-west)
Bergen (west)
Tromsø (Paris of the north - you'll know when you get there... ;-)

Midnight sun in Tromsø.

Argh! My bike broke down and I can't repair it myself!


Call Norwegian Motorcyclist's Union (NMCU) at
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  #4  
Old 28 Jul 2009
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Great Information

Thats really great information guys, thanks. I wonder are there the little cabins in Sweden like in Norway?, they look a lot better than a tent when your pissed wet through and frozen!!
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  #5  
Old 5 Aug 2009
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Stuga

Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam-UK View Post
Thats really great information guys, thanks. I wonder are there the little cabins in Sweden like in Norway?, they look a lot better than a tent when your pissed wet through and frozen!!
They're called Stuga in Sweden, Hyttar(?) in Norway, expensive if you're travelling solo, okay if you're sharing.

You might consider joining the YHA, there are hostels all over Scandinavia. When I went last year in July-August, I nearly always finished up with my own room and you have a bit of space to dry out kit and so on. I have the links somewhere for all the national associations or you can google them. As an example, an en-suite double room in Ostersund Hostel cost 160SEK last August.

Bunch of photos here if you're interested:

Triumph to Nordkapp - a set on Flickr

Have a good trip.

Indoors.
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Old 5 Aug 2009
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I don't know about anywhere else but I bet it'll be raining in Bergen, it always is.
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  #7  
Old 5 Aug 2009
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last time I got off the ferry in bergen to bright sunshine, I had heard all the tales of rain.
Apparently it was the 1st rain free day after 84 days of misery.
they thought they were on for the record of 91 consecutive rainy days.

norwegian joke,

bloke visiting bergen for the 1st time, asks a young lad,
"does it always rain like this?"
young lad replies, "I don't know, i'm only 13"
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  #8  
Old 6 Aug 2009
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Hi Adam,

I have just been two weeks in Norway and the wheather, despite being July, was rainy and fresh (around 14 degrees).
Going there, do not miss the great roads around the Sognefjord and the Geiranger fjord (trollstigen). Also try to go to the Lofoten Islands. Great place!
Otherwise, have a great trip. Watch the speed limits....
Ricardo
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  #9  
Old 7 Aug 2009
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Brilliant Tips & Photos - Thanks all for sharing......Another Possible Trip??

Like the title says, thanks for the advice and sharing the great photo's in the triumph to Nordkapp...........

This is going to be my first trip so quite exciting, although I did consider doing Amsterdam to Berlin to Prauge then and back through France as it will be better weather in September......

Any comments?
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  #10  
Old 7 Aug 2009
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I,m heading up that way last week in august /september , Add to the packing list thermals and handlebar muffs , the latter i only use if my fingers are nearly to the point of frostbite.
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  #11  
Old 13 Aug 2009
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I'm thinking of heading to Norway in the next week or so for a look around. I hear that the mosquitoes are very bad at this time of year. Is this really the case? Would I be better off hanging on until Sept?
Thanks,
Charles
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  #12  
Old 13 Aug 2009
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Nope, no mozzies now. In August it gets too cold for them.
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