Hi,

I was planning to ride from UK to Nordkapp, probably going by the land route as I don't think I can afford the ferry. I was really looking for advice for people who have done the trip before of live in that part of the world. Sorry lots of question.

First thing is that I have never been that far north, and I know that Scotland can get cold in the summer. What are the temperatures that far north like in the summer and does it snow? How many people are likely to be about, I mean are we talking deserted like the outback of Australia or are the roads fairly well travelled? No joke what's the wildlife like, are there animals around that eat people. Are the road sealed.

My plan was to cover as much distance as possible and get there as quick as possible, I'm know this might not sound sensible but I want to do a massive road trip, just stopping to sleep, not everyone's cup of tea but something I want to do. Has anyone done this before (i'm sure they have!)how long did it take, I was figuring 3-4 days. I have done near 1000 mile days before and my current deauville is much more comfortable than anything I have owned before - dullville's do have some advantages!

That brings me onto the trip back, are there any decent backpackers/guest houses on the way back, which route back would people recommend, I wouldn't mine putting my feet up for a few days, either in a city or out in the country.

Thanks for any replies, I know its a lot of questions.

I've not done norway but grant and sue did it, take a quick look

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/johnson/Norway.shtml

It's 1350 miles from Oslo to Nordkapp and the tourist office recommend 10 days, bear it in mind. The Norwegian speed limit is strictly enforced and the fines are massive, the roads are very twisty and very scenic, I suspect you will need more than 4 days to do it in even if you ride for 10 hours or more as you seem to suggest. Accommodation is very expensive as is the food, the last time we went to Nordkapp I took all the food for three weeks in a sidecar. We've been since, but only to the Fiords but that too was very expensive even to buy food in a supermarket and cook it yourself, be warned. However, the scenery is fantastic and it's well worth the trip and the effort. Watch out for the bugs in June and July. The midnight sun is exactly what it says, so you can ride 24/7 but your have to rest sometime. Campsites are good but facilities are basic, we rented huts on the campsites and elsewhere but these can get booked well in advance. There's a very good campsite with loads of huts at Russenes and you can get from there to Nordkapp and back in a day, just (check the ferry times). We crossed the Arctic Circle, (coming down we went up via Sweden and Finland) in July in a snowstorm. Finland is great but you do get fed up with lakes and trees and bugs but there is a great motorcycling community in all of the Scandinavian countries. You can cross from Finland to Sweden on a ferry but it can be expensive. If you're in Sweden look out for the VMCK motorcycles only campsite near Jonkoping.

Have fun !

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Graham & Elaine

GL1800 Motor Trike 2+2, one here, one there.

http://www.mayflowermcc.co.uk/butlers/

Hi,

Thanks for the replies, I checked out the speeding fines and they seem ridiculous. From what I read for doing 141km+ in a 90 limit you go to jail, I'm not speed demon but that's 87mph in a 55 which seems on the harsh side. Also the costs sound expensive, going to have a think, the budget for this trip was £1000, which included fuel and ferry ~£500? Has anyone done it on this money recently?

Thanks

T

Be aware that Scandanavia is VERY expensive.

I live in Denmark and things are expensive here, but we are also paid very well. Sweden is a bit cheaper and Norway is horrendous even by our standards.

I would suggest you need more money and you need to search the web for people who have done this trip. There are lots of people who have done it.

Steve

I came down through Norway in 2008, after leaving Russia.

Nordkapp to Oslo took 5 days and I thought I was taking it pretty easy. The good thing about having Aussie plates on my Burgman was that I could totally ignore all speed limits (as they primairly controlled by cameras and I'm sure the Norwegian authorities didn't know who to send the fine too - I'm not sure whether this would apply to someone on UK plates, or not).

As a result, I was able to have an absolute ball on the roads, scraping through corners and overtaking just about every other vehicle I saw.

Norwegian roads are brilliant, typically smooth and very windy (and scenic). The scenery brings tears to your eyes, and just when you ae convinced it can't get any better than this, you turn a corner and it just outdoes itself.

Overall expenses were not that high as I pretty much wild camped the whole country. I did experience my first $25 hamburger though, at a service station just near the Finnish border (Karasjok, if I recall correctly) and thereafter lived off supermarket supplies (made my own sandwiches). other than that m only expenses were fuel, ferries and tunnels.

Don't hesitate to go there if you can, I've ridden on all the continents (except Antarctica) and most countries, and without a doubt Norway is definitely #1 on my list for great motorcycling roads.

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Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman

If you ride a bike you will not get a fine because the driver has to be identified on the photo. The picture is also taken from the front so your plates will not be visible anyway.

But there are other kinds of controls then the camera....

We went to Nordkapp in June 2008, we arrived there on the 13th of June, it was 0c with a windchill factor of -27c. We did a lot of wild camping, we also used camp sites. I think Norway is not too bad when it comes to the cost of every day items. We did 3,900 miles in 9 days, Norway is a fantastic country, you will enjoy it. I have more information if you need it, just ask.

Tourman

Thanks for the replies, I checked out the speeding fines and they seem ridiculous. From what I read for doing 141km+ in a 90 limit you go to jail, I'm not speed demon but that's 87mph in a 55 which seems on the harsh side. Also the costs sound expensive, going to have a think, the budget for this trip was £1000, which included fuel and ferry ~£500? Has anyone done it on this money recently?

Thanks

T[/quote]

Hi.

I did this trip in the summer of 2008. London to Nordkapp and then back through Finland, the Baltic countries, Poland and Germany.

Unfortunately the writeup is in Greek, but you can see the map. The numbers are my overnight stops. http://www.moto.gr/forums/showthread...threadid=66663

At that time I was riding pretty much like you want to. All day on the bike. I did 11,000KM in 20 days and camped throughout in organised campsites.

Went late July/early August and temperatures were fantastic. Mellow low twenties, sunshine all over, long days (natural light till 23:00 above the Arctic circle), just great.

Roads are sealed and of very good quality. Do obey the speed limits. It's a matter of respecting the locals and their quality of life, as the road winds through villages. If you don't want to do that, I advise against travelling.

There are no man-eating animals. Scandinavia is very safe. Don't expect to see much at Nordkapp, it's usually engulfed in a cloud. Last 10km likely to be windy, cold etc. Watch out for road-crossing elk/reindeer. (not sure how that animal is called). Norway & Finland are beautiful, very much worth visiting!

Ask away for anything else.

-A

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2011-2012: 5 months in Chile
2009-2010: 5 months in Turkey-Iran-Pakistan-India

I am going to do the Nordkapp on a budget in July wiht my brother .
If you want to meet up with us that would be great. We are going through UK, France , Belgium, Germany , Denmark , Sweeden ( quick trip straight through ) then slowly back through Norway . about 10-14 days

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