Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Giovanni Lamonica, Aralsk, Kazakhstan.

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Giovanni Lamonica,
Aralsk, Kazakhstan.



Like Tree20Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 24 Jun 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Alexandria
Posts: 426
Quote:
Originally Posted by ddartt View Post
Norway is an amazing country, probably the best I've been to so far.

I was travelling last July and the weather was very hot all 9 days I was in Norway, so yes, its super unpredictable. It is expensive but only some items - in particular, eating out and drinking out too. The food and in supermarkets were reasonable, camping was fine, hotels were actually fine too. I traveled all the way to Nordkapp but enjoyed western fjords the most. I still think Nordkapp is worth it - not the destination but the journey, midnight sun, reindeers e.t.c.
Mosquitos were not too bad - I've used the repellent (especially in the northern part when wild camping), but they were vegetarians compared to mosquitos in Finland.

You also might want to check out my trip report for the route and some practical tips, Norway starts from Day 3:
Dublin to Nordkapp Trip July 2014 | Ride in Wild

Enjoy your trip and good luck with the weather!
very nice blog lots of good info , thanks mate so much
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 7 Jul 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 1
I've been in Norway last year in August, visited Oslo, and I have no words to describe the beauty of that city. Very very small place, but in the same time, it's very cute town. Regarding your questions about temperatures, it was quite cold there even if it was August (about 20 Celsius and sometimes less than 20). I do not agree with this ->

The food and drinks in supermarkets were reasonable

Everything is pretty expensive in Norway and food in supermarkets as well. For example, I paid the cheapest bread in a supermarket about 5eur and yogurt 250ml about 7eur. I think it's not cheap!
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 7 Jul 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Scottish Borders
Posts: 179
Thanks for your reply Luckytravel. We are planning to take as much food as we can to help with the costs. Looking forward to it though... not long to go!
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 7 Jul 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 16
Hey there. We are currently returning from Nordkapp, so actual advices are - be prepared for very cold weather - min was 2.5 celsius and all day raining. I am riding with my thermo t-shirt and pants underwear, hoodie, jacket with protectors and second jacket with goretex and feeling pretty ok. Also don't underestimate service of the bike. Expect lot of kms, we are now stucked in Tromsø and were told that noone in north Norway has a chain replacement kit for BMW bike on stock, even BMW authorized service. Option is standard 3-5 days delivery or overnight delivery for 1000NOK. So the final thing is - expect everything is very expensive - bread 5€, common burger at gas station starting at 5€, coke 4€ etc. On the other hand - it's the most beautiful country i've ever been to - be prepared for stunning views and roads with almost no traffic with great engineering ... Happy travels P.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 8 Jul 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Scottish Borders
Posts: 179
Thanks Petr for the up to date Norway info. We leave on Friday so not long to go now... we're also having bike trouble, which we hope will be sorted today! Hope you get your bike back on the road soon, Beej
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 9 Jul 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Finland
Posts: 19
I really enjoy reading this... -as i'm about to start my tour to Norway, too
My plan is to go thru Sweden somewhere as north as Kiruna and then explore small roads in Norway towards north.
Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 16 Jul 2015
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 164
Riding Norway

Hi everyone riding Norway.
I just got back from familyvist in UK.
Looking at the weather predictions on yr.no it seems there is a stable situation with not much rain. This I would call optimistic.
If you find your gear is not holding up try the farmer/fisherman stores like Felleskøpet or Samvirkelaget locally, or the big stores selling construction materials and tools. Maxbo and the like, usually on the outskirts of town.
All sportsshops have bad weather gear, but the emhasis is on lightness and ventilation, which is not robust enough on a bike in bad weather. You need workingmans gear.
For cold conditions you need wool, the technical fibre underwear is for skiers and runners in motion. It wicks away sweat as long as you keep moving, stop, or sit on a bike, and you get cold.
Cotton is a big no-no for bad conditions.
I am away a lot with no net the next few weeks, but please contact me if you have questions, maybe I can help.
Safe travels

Peter, in Oslo
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 21 Jul 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 4
I went out there last August/September for three weeks and had temperatures ranging from 4C to 29C with only a couple of days rain, wished I had my heated jacket at times but I do feel the cold. Travelled up via Sweden, ferry to Finland, up to the top of Finland & into Norway then slowly headed south-ish vaguely following the E6 but taking plenty of detours.

Didn't have any issues with mozzies and they normally love me - spray & coils worked ok.

I had a few issues getting petrol in Finland & had to use my spare can twice! Lots of unmanned automated fuel stations which would not accept any of my cards & I had a selection of three different ones!

Nordkapp is a marmite sort of place, I loved it along with the wilds of the north. Lofotens are glorious as are the island/ferry route you can take from Bodo south (Fv17 is the road) to Levang. Geiranger/trollstigen are wonderful if you can catch them when it's quiet as are most of the "tourist routes" (http://www.nasjonaleturistveger.no/en).

Need to go back to see more of the south as I ran out of time. Have a great trip & my tip is don't over plan your trip - go with the flow & have room for detours & side trips as there's plenty to see.

A good resource is The Arctic Highway by John Douglas, it is out of print & was written a long time ago but the vast majority of the things mentioned are still there. Can normally pick one up for £30-35.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 21 Jul 2015
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 4
Just thought of another thing. Often you'll come across a relatively new tunnel and the old road is still there. Sometimes the old road is worth taking for a mini adventure - it will definitely be more scenic than the tunnel and may or may not be rideable to the other end of the tunnel. Norway in July & August-imageuploadedbytapatalk1437512463.382541.jpg


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
2015 - Heading east from Europe, add your itinerary / plans kim Travellers Seeking Travellers 190 5 Mar 2016 07:38
Kazakhstan Russian July and August anyone? trackdayrider Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 16 May 2015 14:20
Alaska/Canada weather - Start trip end of July or end of August?! lashers North America 6 5 Apr 2014 06:35
Wanted: a car, van, vw or 4wd in South America, Colombia mid July to mid August 2013 moaref Overland Vehicles and Equipment for Sale / Wanted 0 30 Jun 2013 17:46

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:33.