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The road is intermittently dirt and there are a number of tunnels. The temperature today was an amazing 18 degrees!
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3731/...25d756fa_c.jpghusavik 14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/524/1...ca8edc53_c.jpghusavik 16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/503/1...898df2d9_c.jpghusavik 17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3679/...9015fe07_c.jpghusavik 18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/...4fc648c3_c.jpghusavik 21 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/507/1...6a0b73e0_c.jpghusavik 22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3669/...3749b916_c.jpghusavik 23 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/541/1...acd931b8_c.jpghusavik 25 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/376/1...513a9ee5_c.jpghusavik 27 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/549/1...4ed3b9a8_c.jpgFILE0445 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/418/1...7b83027e_c.jpghusavik 29 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/555/1...54e3e8fe_c.jpghusavik 32 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/498/1...9cc2c9f1_c.jpghusavik 26 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/340/1...1e44e3dd_c.jpgFILE0297 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/425/1...ff3989ab_c.jpgFILE0456 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/284/1...4e545586_c.jpgFILE0387 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3700/...8051a521_c.jpgFILE0396 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/261/1...e2676f45_c.jpghusavik 38 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Near Dalvik there is a basalt sculpture carved by the sea.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/261/1...e2676f45_c.jpghusavik 38 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/302/1...65695038_c.jpghusavik 39 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/360/1...35a6fc67_c.jpghusavik 37 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/426/1...2505bba5_c.jpghusavik 41 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/450/1...a7c3b14b_c.jpghusavik 40 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We headed south to the city of Akureyi, which is the largest in the north. Here we could stock up on food at the famous Bonus discount grocery store. Here we were back on the highway 1 and continued east to the famous Godafoss falls. Legend says that in the year 999 the “lawspeaker” made Christianity the official religion of Iceland and after his conversion he threw his statues of the Norse Gods into the falls.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/455/1...af730903_c.jpghusavik 42 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/...6bbc2c0a_c.jpghusavik 43 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/483/1...5377f091_c.jpghusavik 44 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We made a slight backtrack from here to go north further to the small town of Husavik.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/375/1...82cb50c4_c.jpghusavik 46 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/289/1...f0facf22_c.jpgDSC01701 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/257/1...6d31ef5f_c.jpghusavik 48 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/374/1...6a1f22b9_c.jpghusavik 49 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3796/...333ccda2_c.jpghusavik 50 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/377/1...c6d6662f_c.jpghusavik 52 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/371/1...3e3c9fb4_c.jpghusavik 53 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/367/1...9681757b_c.jpgmytvan 1 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
This is the whale capital of Iceland and the start of the Diamond route in north Iceland. The main sites on this route are the town of Husavik, Asbyrgi Canyon, Lake Myvatn, and Dettifoss falls. The campground here is situated with a nice view and about a 500m walk to the center.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/490/1...1eb6153f_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-04 at 6.15.30 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Leaving town north we spotted one of the many sod houses you can see here. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/...bf2887c0_c.jpgmytvan 4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/390/1...a74e35f2_c.jpgmytvan 7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/549/1...4e859688_c.jpgmytvan 6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/383/1...fe14d571_c.jpgmytvan 8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Dan found a motocross track and had to take the fully loaded 800 for a spin.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/376/1...f47b1874_c.jpgmytvan 2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/558/1...9ec027bc_c.jpgmytvan 3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We took the paved road up and around to stop at the visitor’s center at Asbyrgi Canyon. This canyon is a horseshoe shaped depression in the Vatnajokull National Park. It is 3.5 km long and 1.1 km across. It is divided for about half the way by a rock “island” popular for hiking. The canyon cliffs are 100 meters high and there is a nice nature walk at the trailhead. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/...347d6faa_c.jpgmytvan 9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/451/1...51142ce2_c.jpgmytvan 10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
From here we took the dirt road on the west side of the Jokulsa a Fjollum river. The narrow road has a surprising amount of traffic especially nearer the south end.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/497/1...c4932b05_c.jpgmytvan 11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Midway you can stop to see the lava echo rock formations at Hljodaklettar. The clusters of basalt rock columns are horizontal here instead of the usual vertical ones formed when lava is rapidly cooling. This creates an echo effect that makes it impossible to tell in which direction the roar of the river is coming from. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/490/1...b6a01f89_c.jpgmytvan 14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/553/1...397de900_c.jpgmytvan 15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/470/1...ca4654c1_c.jpgmytvan 13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/268/1...c63753d1_c.jpgmytvan 16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/282/1...e389b6b3_c.jpgmytvan 17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/477/1...cffd02eb_c.jpgmytvan 18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3819/...d85ab408_c.jpgmytvan 19 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/401/1...5924be8a_c.jpgmytvan 20 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/430/1...2738753b_c.jpgmytvan 22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
As you continue on the road south it gets a bit sandy in spots and speeding mini busses become a hazard. The road is paved jut at the entrance to Dettifoss. These falls are 100 meters wide and the drop is 45 meters and said to be the most powerful falls in Europe.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/...cec5e8bb_c.jpgFILE0667 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/487/1...72b3b632_c.jpgFILE0668 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3762/...ed25f662_c.jpgFILE0631 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3776/...a64eaea3_c.jpgmytvan 34 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/374/1...2ffa2cff_c.jpgmytvan 30 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/429/1...94a05715_c.jpgmytvan 32 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/315/1...62e33985_c.jpgmytvan 33 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/377/1...531449ae_c.jpgmytvan 35 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The sun finally came out are created some cool rainbows in the spray over the falls.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/258/1...a9f838db_c.jpgmytvan 23 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/492/1...136d7e52_c.jpgmytvan 25 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3807/...fcfc0d91_c.jpgmytvan 27 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/451/1...4ff222e4_c.jpgmytvan 28 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/332/1...d4d5cbb4_c.jpgmytvan 29 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
2 km downstream is the sister falls of Hafrailsfoss.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/457/1...57748a25_c.jpgmytvan 36 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The road continues south to meet the highway 1 and we went east towards Reykjahlid on the northeast shore of Lake Myvatn. On the way you will find the geothermal park of Hverir. This moon like landscape has boiling mud pots, steam vents, and colorful mineral deposits. The stench of sulphur can be a bit overwhelming.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/361/1...b679f6d1_c.jpgmytvan 39 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/340/1...5bca9a00_c.jpgmytvan 42 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/255/1...c6e2a5d7_c.jpgmytvan 44 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/533/1...8a9b232d_c.jpgmytvan 40 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/454/1...53a6d8f1_c.jpgmytvan 38 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/392/1...f9932107_c.jpgmytvan 41 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/388/1...b614b4e8_c.jpgmytvan 45 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/343/1...880eef18_c.jpgmytvan 47 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/428/1...3f6d16b6_c.jpgmytvan 48 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Nearing the village there is a nature bath and an ice blue lake created by the geothermal plant.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/262/1...53b7b9c4_c.jpgmytvan 50 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We did stay at the campground here despite warnings of horrible midges for which the lake gets its name. There was a breeze and cool weather and so we were midge free. The local rec center has a hot pool so we all went for a soak. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/304/1...d48f45b4_c.jpgmytvan loop 2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/450/1...dc09ec6d_c.jpgmytvan loop 3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3724/...ea73b04d_c.jpgmytvan loop 4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/444/1...50f2e06d_c.jpgmytvan loop 6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Today we will tour the geothermal area around the lake and then try to head onto the mountain roads. We had heard that the F roads to the center of the island had opened the day before. That said we did hear the last 10 km was still snow covered…. If you want a ride up there in a super jeep it is 350$ per person!!
The Myvatn Lake was formed by an eruption 2300 years ago and the surrounding landscape shows the results. There are rootless vents or pseudocraters, lava pillars, and underground hot springs. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/484/1...8f3a5fa1_c.jpgmytvan loop 13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/285/1...f49ddc8f_c.jpgmytvan loop 14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We first headed 37 km and counterclockwise around the lake to see the nearby Mt Vindbelgur.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/545/1...529fc08a_c.jpgmytvan loop 9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr From here you continue to explore the cluster of pseudocraters at Skutustadir. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/544/1...e5ec5a11_c.jpgmytvan loop 7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/314/1...4a0fcf25_c.jpgmytvan loop 8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/441/1...54dcf227_c.jpgmytvan loop 10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The east side of the lake is dominated by the Dimmuborgir lava formations. We did about a 90 min hike thru the formations.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/344/1...9af6f982_c.jpgmytvan loop 32 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/318/1...c38809d7_c.jpgmytvan loop 27 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/536/1...c3c6dc5f_c.jpgmytvan loop 17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/275/1...88cf84dd_c.jpgmytvan loop 20 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/539/1...19368563_c.jpgmytvan loop 22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/384/1...d0009118_c.jpgmytvan loop 28 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
You can take a small off road to see the underground hot springs at Grotagja. You could soak here before the nearby 1984 Krafla eruption, but since then the vents have joined and now the water it too hot.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/515/1...1257a76b_c.jpgmytvan loop 33 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/464/1...5086cd40_c.jpgmytvan loop 35 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/339/1...9378557d_c.jpgmytvan loop 36 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/335/1...9c5f4bcb_c.jpgmytvan loop 37 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Going back over the mountain you take the road north from the ring road into Krafla and see the volcanic lake. You also pass by the geothermal plant.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/280/1...f909fc24_c.jpgmytvan loop 40 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/417/1...866a8d82_c.jpgmytvan loop 41 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/498/1...e7394971_c.jpgmytvan loop 42 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
From here we rode 65 km east on the 1 to the mountain road F905 towards the center. It was a good gravel road, but it was very cold and windy. About 31 km in you get to the turn off to the F905/F910 towards the Askja caldera in the central highlands. It was already about zero degrees, very windy, and there was 81 km to go. We decided to turn back since the road was probably still snow covered. From here we rode back on the F907 to rejoin the highway 1.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/377/1...4a529dce_c.jpgmytvan loop 43 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/261/1...ac4f3393_c.jpgmytvan loop 44 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/271/1...aced1960_c.jpgmytvan loop 45 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/274/1...147772e5_c.jpgmytvan loop 46 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/427/1...9d654bc1_c.jpgmytvan loop 47 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/527/1...38cae191_c.jpgmytvan loop 48 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/402/1...bb6cddc5_c.jpgmytvan loop 49 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/427/1...f4202b1f_c.jpgmytvan loop 51 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/367/1...c9a4021c_c.jpgmytvan loop 52 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We had intermittent rain until we arrived to Egilsstadir. Driving around for over an hour we could not find a place to stay that was under 200$. By then the rain had stopped and we made for the campground in town. Here they have laundry and a nice common room. We also met Dieter who is a German who lives in Norway.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/476/1...779fb7f7_c.jpgfaroe islands 1 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr For a brake today from the bikes we joined our friends in the jeep. Leaving Egilsstadir we drove up the fjord to the trailhead for the Henegifoss. This is a pretty steep climb for about an hour until you can really see the falls. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/395/1...f0082e0a_c.jpgjeep day 5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3668/...fd42f3b0_c.jpgjeep day 6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/456/1...d4aea5cd_c.jpgjeep day 7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/264/1...c8b348d7_c.jpgjeep day 8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/303/1...a18ee5aa_c.jpgjeep day 2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/...cd79bb91_c.jpgjeep day 4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/343/1...f41eb5dc_c.jpgjeep day 3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
From here we continued up the F 910 over the pass to the end of the paved road at the Karahnjukar dam.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/321/1...f3deef90_c.jpgjeep day 12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/286/1...f5b7f9b5_c.jpgjeep day 13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/500/1...71ba5708_c.jpgjeep day 14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
All of the F roads were closed, but we found an open “track” over the lava rocks. This went well until it didn’t! Brute strength worked luckily for us.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/361/1...bfa3ff53_c.jpgDSC01846 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3771/...be66295d_c.jpgjeep day 11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3701/...568e1444_c.jpgjeep day 22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/336/1...bc0726c7_c.jpgjeep day 16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/410/1...8eafa206_c.jpgjeep day 17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/400/1...e9ba6814_c.jpgjeep day 15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Today our friends head back on the south road and so we joined them over the pass to meet the highway 1.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/438/1...58d82d6f_c.jpgDSC01868 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/485/1...2d13aa7b_c.jpgDSC01871 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/358/1...b9af1129_c.jpgDSC01872 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
They continued right to Reykjavik and we went left. Driving along the southeast shore it was very windy and it started to rain again. Our goal was Eskifjordur, which is situated in a nature amphitheater and is full of waterfalls. Here we found a nice guesthouse that was more reasonably priced.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/365/1...039c69a0_c.jpgDSC01875 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/540/1...0b6f0c31_c.jpgFILE0957 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/528/1...e52a1e5c_c.jpgFILE0988 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3705/...9282e8da_c.jpgFILE1001 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
There is a free car wash at almost every gas station on this Island and so today we washed the bikes again.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3828/...7932a116_c.jpgDSC01877 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/271/1...9c8712ac_c.jpgDSC01878 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We posted out postcards to friends and family at home. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/553/1...875d026c_c.jpgDSC01888 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We went to the Bonus again to stock up for the Faroe Islands. While we were shopping Dagmar walked up to us and said “were you in Portugal about 6 weeks ago?” You were with your Swedish friend? I think my husband took a photo of you at Cabo san Vicente! She had seen our bikes parked outside and came to check if we were the BC riders she had seen there. Small world!
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/424/1...8aa29e99_c.jpgDSC01891 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7707/...5fa555a1_c.jpgsagres 44 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr This cooked chicken is 16$! https://farm1.staticflickr.com/369/1...9c78919b_c.jpgDSC01895 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/344/1...9dcf8781_c.jpgDSC01896 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We rode over the pass to Seydisfjordur to check into the hostal and met most of the other riders who were getting the ferry the next day. This included a 65-year-old Italian on a Tricker! The town itself in well situated and picturesque.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/419/1...7ae7d3db_c.jpgDSC01892 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/304/1...86080163_c.jpgDSC01894 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/371/1...a0839569_c.jpgfaroe islands 2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/332/1...3d01a92a_c.jpgDSC01899 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/320/1...01bfed3c_c.jpgDSC01901 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/...d3604285_c.jpgDSC01905 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/477/1...96afeb10_c.jpgDSC01906 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/477/1...99dee734_c.jpgDSC01909 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3676/...355d12e7_c.jpgDSC01911 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/306/1...cd552b6b_c.jpgDSC01912 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/478/1...02c45830_c.jpgDSC01913 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We were told to get to the ferry dock 3 hours before the 1030 sailing. We showed up at the dock on time and found Marcos from Germany ahead of us. About 25 other bikes shortly followed us.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/261/1...b493e9f9_c.jpgfaroe islands 10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/403/1...88af5737_c.jpgfaroe islands 8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/517/1...e8087490_c.jpgfaroe islands 4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We had met this very nice Danish man on the way over on the ferry. He is an avid birder and he pointed out for us a pair of harlequin ducks, which are only found here in Iceland and are apparently a rare sight as well!! We joined up with our friend Dieter also.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/453/1...0e269c20_c.jpgfaroe islands 7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/356/1...8972eda7_m.jpgimages by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/...e3ed4523_c.jpgfaroe islands 11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr SPOT summary of Iceland https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5677/...12a4733a_c.jpgScreen Shot 2015-08-16 at 9.51.16 AM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Loading was more civilized this time and they only did half of the bikes at a time.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/308/1...0568f3e2_c.jpgIMG_4181 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/489/1...d41f2f99_c.jpgfaroe islands 5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/361/1...2386080a_c.jpgfaroe islands 6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/515/1...e6cf5f81_c.jpgfaroe islands 9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/277/1...8e35b22d_c.jpgfaroe islands 15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/362/1...e9100fe5_c.jpgfaroe islands 13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3751/...f6b5fa97_c.jpgfaroe islands 12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/514/1...bc495bb1_c.jpgfaroe islands 14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The boat left on time and the crossing was fairly calm for our farewell to Iceland. Then for some on board duty free shopping.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/468/1...2d387f0b_c.jpgfaroe islands 16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/336/1...749d8ded_c.jpgfaroe islands 17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/261/1...76914679_c.jpgfaroe islands 20 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The biggest issue for us was that you needed to get out of your cabin at 1 am for the 3 am arrival to the Faroe Islands.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/435/1...8086fa9c_c.jpgfaroe islands 21 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/444/1...0e164762_c.jpgfaroe islands 22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/421/1...22439815_c.jpgfaroe islands 23 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Getting off the boat in the capital of Torshavn it was actually about 230 am. We were joined by Dieter and headed to the north of the island of Eysturoy. The sunrise was incredible.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3795/...51cebbd0_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-18 at 6.21.05 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/267/1...95533ef9_c.jpgfaroe islands 26 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/271/1...c0b3a1a5_c.jpgfaroe islands 27 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3687/...a9e2df8f_c.jpgfaroe islands 29 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/540/1...db6f7f3c_c.jpgDSC01964 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/283/1...6d199f3d_c.jpgDSC01963 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/551/1...97a29e0e_c.jpgfaroe islands 33 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/...c8b3fb41_c.jpgfaroe islands 88 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Arriving in Gjogv we made a cup of coffee on the side of the road.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/...f2b0ac86_c.jpgDSC01966 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/503/1...9c7d9b15_c.jpgfaroe islands 35 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/460/1...442df57e_c.jpgfaroe islands 36 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We then rode across the top of the Fjord to see the sea stacks just before Eidi.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/361/1...e6ea9e74_c.jpgfaroe islands 37 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr From here we did an in and back side trip to Saksun on one of the “Buttercup routes”. These islands are so lush. The sod-covered houses are everywhere. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/505/1...efa5bbac_c.jpgfaroe islands 39 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/...1d05b230_c.jpgfaroe islands 38 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/324/1...d6e15a89_c.jpgfaroe islands 41 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/508/1...b09aeb38_c.jpgfaroe islands 42 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/...d8826e74_c.jpgfaroe islands 43 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Before we headed to the campsite in Torshavn at 730 am for a well-deserved nap we did another side trip to the village of Vestmanna.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3787/...ba91d2da_c.jpgfaroe islands 45 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/364/1...e474ca7e_c.jpgfaroe islands 46 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr It was nice camping here as most of the other riders were here too and so we got to spend some time together. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/...fd15bfe3_c.jpgfaroe islands 47 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/482/1...096bb2ba_c.jpgfaroe islands 48 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/547/1...cd3c73e5_c.jpgfaroe islands 49 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/336/1...e72f303b_c.jpgfaroe islands 50 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/485/1...f33298aa_c.jpgDSC02023 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/...2cc481e5_c.jpgfaroe islands 62 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Skansin is a historic fortress in Torshavn and it is located on a hill beside the port. It was built in 1580 to protect against pirate raids. During the Second World War it served as a British military base.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/...7a95481c_c.jpgfaroe islands 52 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/258/1...2b9a3a77_c.jpgfaroe islands 54 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/350/1...0f9484ee_c.jpgfaroe islands 56 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/406/1...b0a4f430_c.jpgfaroe islands 53 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3684/...bab9d54d_c.jpgfaroe islands 55 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr A man mowing the roof is not something you see every day. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/369/1...98557922_c.jpgfaroe islands 57 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
This seaside town itself is every colorful.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/390/1...84832a1b_c.jpgfaroe islands 58 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/354/1...211ef0e8_c.jpgfaroe islands 59 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/379/1...2707257d_c.jpgfaroe islands 60 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We woke to very foggy weather, but checking the airport there was great visibility there so we drove over to Vagar Island and to the Leitisvatn Lake. Here there is an about a 90 min walk to the end of the lake where it falls into the sea. When we got back from the hike we continued to ride to the end of the island. Again we were shocked at the money spent on a tunnel that has 5 houses on the other side!
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/313/1...b7ebe8c9_b.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-18 at 6.12.52 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3683/...40fdf46621.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-18 at 6.09.32 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/306/1...24f90279_c.jpgDSC03292 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/440/1...3b3d3582_c.jpgDSC03294 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/282/1...5efcc4fe_c.jpgDSC03302 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/295/1...742053cb_c.jpgDSC03305 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3741/...d91be9d7_c.jpgDSC03295 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/527/1...6e3a093a_c.jpgDSC03296 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/457/1...8d1cd59d_c.jpgDSC03297 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/322/1...5b922a35_c.jpgDSC03301 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/377/1...44ec1a0b_c.jpgDSC03300 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/465/1...590a538f_c.jpgIMG_0303 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3740/...5d25d3e5_c.jpgDSC03306 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
For our last day we did some more touring around the northern islands of Vidoy, Kunoy, and Kalsoy. We have now covered almost all the roads. On the way to Vidareidi there are a number of very narrow and very dark 1-way tunnels that are a bit of a challenge especially when you don’t have the right of way.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/470/1...d66a7f63_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-18 at 6.18.36 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/384/1...7bca35cb_c.jpgfaroe islands 64 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/380/1...88608657_c.jpgfaroe islands 66 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We drove thru the tunnel on the only road on the island of Kalsoy to find a tiny village here also.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/411/1...940034c3_c.jpgfaroe islands 69 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/433/1...f9c5c60e_c.jpgfaroe islands 70 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We had some time to kill before the ferry left so we had a picnic near the port in Torshavn. After this we rode south to “ the most historic town in the Faroes” at Kirkjubour. Here there are the ruins of the Magnus Cathedral from around 1300, the St Olav’s Church from the 12 th century, and the old Kirjuboargarour farm house from the 11 th century. In 1832 a ruin stone was found here dating from the Viking Ages. The ride in here was very very foggy! https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3711/...6a3ecea6_c.jpgfaroe islands 74 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/508/1...ba9cdbb3_c.jpgfaroe islands 83 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/262/1...9813812a_c.jpgfaroe islands 80 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/474/1...a1c29cd2_c.jpgfaroe islands 81 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/...16ab7f05_c.jpgfaroe islands 76 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/260/1...02d60f5e_c.jpgfaroe islands 77 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/309/1...d30535cc_c.jpgfaroe islands 78 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/545/1...a513c99c_c.jpgfaroe islands 79 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3705/...c2925121_c.jpgfaroe islands 82 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We had to arrive at the ferry at 10 for the 1130 pm sailing. The number of vehicles that got off the boat was incredible and included motos, cars, trucks, campers, and boats. Dana was the only other woman riding her own bike that I have seen on Iceland and the Faroes. Funny thing is she was in Ushuaia at the same time as us in January of 2014.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/364/1...9407952b_c.jpgfaroe islands 85 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3762/...bbbcc48a_c.jpgfaroe islands 87 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr This international group of riders comes from Norway, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Greece, and the Canary Islands. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/481/1...7d5af191_c.jpgfaroe islands 99 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr SPOT summary for the faroes https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5829/...051bb7b8_c.jpgScreen Shot 2015-08-16 at 9.50.57 AM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We loaded and stored the bikes. Meeting on the sky deck we had some Scottish Whiskey to share with our new friends. The 2 nights were both pretty calm and we arrived on time to Hirtshals at 930 am. Many of the riders were headed in the same direction so we all eventually met at a spot for lunch. Dieter came with us to Hamburg as we all wanted to go to Louis. After 3 years things are starting to wear out and needed replacing.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/336/1...3fc727b7f7.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-18 at 5.37.34 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/354/1...df632dcf_c.jpgDSC02086 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/536/1...31e91a52_c.jpgIMG_4192 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
From here we made for Wolfgang’s home for the night. We had ordered Heidinau tires to the BMW in Hamburg. While the bikes were there they found that the rear disks were below spec and both were replaced along with the pads. The steering head bearings on the 650 were also toast again and they think they were way over torqued in Madrid when they were replaced there. OUCH! Leaving from there we also stopped at Globetrotter to get some camp items including some new waterproofing for the tent in preparation for Norwegian summer.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/454/1...8ec8a517_c.jpgDSC02088 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We rode north to Puttgarden and took the ferry to Denmark. Arriving at the dock there was a huge line that did not move for about 20 minutes and then did so very slowly. That said once we had a ticket we loaded directly on the boat for the 40-minute crossing. It is a very windy bleak day in the south of Denmark as we drove north on the highway. There are no hotels along this route until you get to Copenhagen where we stayed for the night.
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Now we are making for Trollhatten and the home of our great friends Orvar and Anne. We entered the 4 km subsea Drogden tunnel and then crossed the famous 8 km Oresund Bridge that joins Denmark to Sweden. The toll is a whopping 24 Euros per bike, but the only other option is to drive further north to Helsingborg and take the ferry for 18 Euros.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3804/...e8b8577a_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-18 at 5.38.49 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3791/...53c54a03_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-18 at 5.39.09 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/313/1...4750b722_c.jpgDSC02089 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/550/1...4e0d986b_c.jpgDSC02151 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Orvar rode out to meet us and welcome us to the kingdom of Sweden. We had worn our team shirts and so had he!
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/428/1...8e0f3c85_c.jpg11403054_10200956863040724_2629958219753039792_n by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/441/1...174d562c_c.jpgDSC02091 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/363/1...c4624d72_c.jpg11738081_10200956863200728_2918903530955219794_n by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/449/1...e5a33cff_c.jpgDSC02093 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/365/1...f73ec3db_c.jpg11737834_10200956863560737_9210455442589575118_n by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/411/1...c12ae5e3_c.jpgDSC02127 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
A big thank you so much to REV’it and especially to Rineke their head of Marketing for their generous support of our World Wide Ride. Opening this box and finding two Defender Pro GTX suits was better than Christmas. It was sad to say goodbye to our trusty 4-year-old Defender suits since they had performed so well, but a new suit is a beautiful thing! We were happy to see some of the new features including the redesigned and longer vents on the forearms, the improved closure system at the wrists, and the new covered front zipper. They also have the new SEEFLEX CE-level 2 flexible protection system!
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/486/1...5500b40f_c.jpgDSC02097 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/487/1...cbcf9bba_c.jpgDSC02100 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/550/1...b37ded38_c.jpgDSC02103 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/457/1...fc3fafff_c.jpgDSC02110 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/...90efb457_c.jpgDSC02113 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/280/1...a454311b_c.jpgDSC02114 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/264/1...81a0dd24_c.jpgDSC02117 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3696/...7c526d02_c.jpgDSC02353 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We toured the city including the locks and the Trolhatten “falls”.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/516/1...226f6d21_c.jpgDSC02133 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/256/1...f36fcca0_c.jpgDSC02136 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/330/1...d0b0d8ae_c.jpgDSC02141 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/279/1...97dae002_c.jpgDSC02147 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/554/1...366dd4f5_c.jpgDSC02152 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/559/1...bfcea432_c.jpgDSC02155 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3716/...711c2b8d_c.jpgDSC02156 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/277/1...30063666_c.jpgDSC02169 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/553/1...c96fd786_c.jpgDSC02204 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
For the weekend we had a borrowed RV and we went to the coast at Smögen. This is a beautiful seaside summer retreat.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/440/1...7566ac2c_c.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-24 at 9.08.32 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/378/1...c80414ba_c.jpgDSC02171 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3830/...9977a283_c.jpgDSC02213 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/264/1...d004451a_c.jpgDSC02217 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/330/1...777afded_c.jpgDSC02221 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/495/1...650a26ce_c.jpgDSC02229 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/263/1...67bc0693_c.jpgDSC02236 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/407/1...46b39fba_c.jpgDSC02241 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/...3fc07162_c.jpgDSC02242 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/408/1...fb913018_c.jpgDSC02247 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/286/1...b0d4dbc4_c.jpgDSC02248 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We had bike service booked here for the valve check, as we could not get this booked in Germany. This was done, but the 650 was then not running well. On the diagnostics they found the “air control device” was faulty. Luckily they could get the part and fix it the same day. A big thank you so much to the team at BIKE Trollhatten for fitting us in and doing such a great job.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/555/1...3294ed90_c.jpgDSC02178 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/472/1...4890c81b_c.jpgIMG_4204 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3682/...63b5e28f_c.jpgIMG_4205 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/...07120fbf_c.jpgIMG_4208 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/...f3a5001b_c.jpgIMG_4206 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Tonight we are in for some real Swedish fun. We are off to the Liseberg Amusement Park in Gothenburg. Monday nights there are popular Swedish Pop artists performing and they have the hugely popular Sing a long of Swedish folk music. They LOVE this stuff. Of course the fair also includes carnival games, but only here do you throw plastic herring to win huge Toblerones!
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/...71fe6b43_c.jpgDSC02284 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/404/1...59baa837_c.jpgDSC02291 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/340/1...c8309b57_c.jpgDSC02287 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/529/1...30a0113c_c.jpgDSC02295 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/476/1...93cb3b46_c.jpgDSC02277 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/416/1...3fed9b19_c.jpgDSC02297 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
There is a really big event today as we will finally meet Gene and Neda from Lightcycle. We have been communicating on line since we all left on our trips 3 years ago, but despite that we had never met them in person. We have on several occasions been a few days apart in the Americas. Orvar and Sara rode out to meet them.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/259/1...5d463566_c.jpgDSC02320 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/481/1...06179acc_c.jpgDSC02322 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/290/1...abfbf63e_c.jpgDSC02321 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We repeated some of our city tour for them and then had a big BBQ. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3703/...d90868f2_c.jpgDSC02269 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Orvar had arranged for the local Swedish newspaper to come over for a group interview of the “5 overland riders”. The reporter asked some great questions and the photographer seemed to have a good sense of humor.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/...955d8baf_c.jpgDSC02326 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/424/1...4ab54ccb_c.jpgDSC02323 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/521/1...6648332f_c.jpglight cycle photos 2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3801/...e0bc39ce_c.jpglight cycle photos 1 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/494/1...3cb2dea9_c.jpgDSC02333 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/313/1...cd9c4752_c.jpgDSC02341 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/515/1...38f1f682_c.jpgnews by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Today we are off to Larvik Norway. We shudder at the cost of this one of the most expensive countries in the world. Lets hope for at least some half decent weather for camping. Orvar joined us as for a while as WWR and Lightcycle all rode north initially in Sweden.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/402/1...2aaa11af_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-18 at 5.40.27 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/379/1...dcb99b3a_c.jpgDSC02348 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/402/1...b8a26cc2_c.jpgDSC02350 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/265/1...b6375d03_c.jpgDSC02364 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Orvar had planned a route on and off road thru the stunning countryside in the south of Sweden.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/281/1...31bdf379_c.jpgDSC02371 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/547/1...70eb55bd_c.jpgDSC02369 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We came to this meeting of the train bridge, road bridge, and the water locks “bridge”.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/531/1...bd7af0a4_c.jpgDSC02375 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/470/1...61acb603_c.jpgDSC02373 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/483/1...0c47e6aa_c.jpgDSC02378 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr From here we parted from the Swede and the Canadians all made for Norway. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/328/1...047e40b3_c.jpgDSC02383 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We took the small roads for the most part, but we did have to do some time on the highway. It was pretty anticlimactic when we crossed the border there is not even a welcome sign. The route we followed was to near Oslo and then south to Larvik. This route avoided the city, but involved our first Norwegian ferry. It was 44 K (6 to1) for each bike for the 5-minute crossing.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/561/1...003af09b_c.jpgDSC02386 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
From Larvik we rode to the seaside and we found a camping place next to a group of Swedish riders. Neda and Dan comparing camp pillows…Neda wins.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/505/1...154a509c_c.jpgDSC02388 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/371/1...c0b29403_c.jpgDSC02389 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/255/1...66b1004c_c.jpgDSC02390 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/471/1...ec81bce9_c.jpgDSC02391 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/471/1...bc7484c0_c.jpgDSC02392 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/275/1...7a281864_c.jpgDSC02393 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Today we are planning to get to near Stavanger, but this 400 km was too ambitious for the low speed limits and curvy roads of Norway.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/280/1...f6df4b66_b.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-18 at 5.41.34 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/290/1...496d8f65_c.jpgDSC02395 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/349/1...c836d69d_c.jpgDSC02397 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/415/1...dcbe2ccf_c.jpgDSC02399 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/390/1...b5499732_c.jpgDSC02400 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Daniel noticed that the front right fork of the 650 was leaking!! AGH! We had always had fork socks, but at DMX they advised against them. HMMMM. Well there is no way we get this done in Norway so we hope to get it fixed in Finland. Thanks Gene for the picture.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/471/1...3fab3f8d_c.jpglight cycle photos 3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We drove over several snow covered mountain passes and finally into the village of Lysbotn. Thanks again Gene for the pics.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/531/1...f48f6ec6_c.jpgDSC02408 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/476/1...a905fefd_c.jpgDSC02409 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/257/1...0c80a343_c.jpgDSC02414 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/546/1...d5762742_c.jpglight cycle photos 5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/467/1...6fb6a834_c.jpgDSC02418 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/290/1...25de1de4_c.jpgDSC02419 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/477/1...074187d4_c.jpgDSC02420 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The ride into Lysbotn is from the high pass on the highway 45 is on a narrow and very curvy 32 km road. There are several sections on switchbacks. The last series of hairpins from the viewpoint to the town is 7 km includes a 1 km tunnel with a hairpin inside.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3730/...64490c6e_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-18 at 5.42.09 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/406/1...01294ac1_c.jpgDSC02410 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/370/1...21131235_c.jpglight cycle photos 4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/518/1...50018fb5_c.jpgDSC02422 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/279/1...ed6fae42_c.jpgDSC02423 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Arriving here we found the campground with a view of the falls.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/387/1...35177e0c_c.jpgDSC02425 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/452/1...0c88ee1f_c.jpgDSC02427 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/470/1...2748dce6_c.jpgDSC02429 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We had planned a short ride today to get ready for a hike tomorrow to the Pulpit Rock. The morning ride out was a bit rainy so we did take it slowly. We backtracked up to the main road and then continued in the rain to the ferry at Hole. Gene and Neda caught up with us here.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/288/1...70fa10f3_c.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-18 at 5.43.39 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr The covered bike parking on board improved this crossing. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/501/1...60560e23_c.jpgDSC02443 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
It was then just a short ride up the scenic road 13 but in the pouring rain to the campsite near The Preikestolen or Pulpit Rock. We checked in and then staked out a spot in the dining hall and stayed there all day. Gene made a friend while writing his blog report. There was a brief few minutes in the early evening when the rain let up and we rushed out to set up our tents. It rained incredibly hard most of the night.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/554/1...dc7c6030_c.jpgDSC02447 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
When we got up the weather had improved enough that we decided to make for the hike to the Pulpit rock. This is a 4 km drive from the camping and then a 6 km hike to the view. The first and last 2 km are quite steep while the center is more flat. Most is stone stairs, but one section is a bit more treacherous as the walking is over large rocks. The view was stunning and we timed it well since it started to rain again shortly after our arrival. The walk down was a bit slippery and Sara did take one spill. Thanks Neda for the pics!
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/...f5fdae34_c.jpgDSC03319 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/442/1...0068cc4e_c.jpgDSC03318 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/...78f05785_c.jpgDSC03320 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/340/1...348f6774_c.jpgDSC02451 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/494/1...84db4546_c.jpgDSC03321 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/...eb17fda4_c.jpgDSC02452 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/287/1...236f83b1_c.jpgDSC02453 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/344/1...ee81bf8e_c.jpgDSC02454 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/316/1...9269dd77_c.jpgDSC02455 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/275/1...24e5dace_c.jpgDSC03322 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3760/...1e88cd82_c.jpgDSC03324 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/449/1...880e2af8_c.jpgDSC03325 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/414/1...54ca5ee2_c.jpgDSC03326 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/376/1...efff785a_c.jpgDSC03330 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/285/1...8f93156c_c.jpgDSC03331 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/538/1...8979f89d_c.jpglight cycle photos 8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3678/...04c41f52_c.jpglight cycle photos 10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/556/1...2aeabc73_c.jpgDSC03337 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/292/1...56d95cbb_c.jpglight cycle photos 13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Arriving back to the camp we were a bit cold and wet. But there were hot showers and a warm lounge with good wifi!
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/269/1...5795f8b2_c.jpgflam-molde 1 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr It continued to rain very hard all thru the night again until about 6 am!!! This luckily gave us an opportunity to pack up camp under fairly dry conditions. Leaving in the morning at about 930 it had really cleared up finally. Today our tour was up the very scenic route 13 to Kinsarvik. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3726/...e5c066f6_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-08-08 at 11.34.20 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr This route on the 13 takes you along the fjords to Hjelmelandsvagen where you get the ferry to Knutsvik. You keep along the sea and then turn inland towards Sand. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/345/1...ac6c6cf6_c.jpgflam-molde 2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/302/1...8832f088_c.jpgflam-molde 3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
As you go north there are an incredible number of tunnels on this route of 100 meters to 5 km. Most are wide and well lighted, but several are narrow and quite dark. Our friend Dieter gave us the trick Norwegian riders use, which is to close one eye before the tunnel and open it inside. The closed eye is adjusted to the dark and you can actually see much better. Of course remembering to push down your sunglasses helps more! There are some bridges that lead right into tunnels in the mountainside.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/306/1...717b4049_c.jpgflam-molde 4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/444/1...28d4b53a_c.jpgflam-molde 5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/306/1...6d36b793_c.jpgflam-molde 6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
This route runs along several large lakes and hundreds of waterfalls. There are several huge waterfalls including the high drop at Fengafoss and the double falls of Latefoss where the spray covers the road with water.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3751/...82ed326c_c.jpgflam-molde 8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/560/1...8a5f1d76_c.jpgflam-molde 9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3675/...7dbd9cfa_c.jpgflam-molde 10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3672/...a35b55f6_c.jpgIMG_4226 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/369/2...6d546c73_c.jpgIMG_4225 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/402/2...253aef84_c.jpgIMG_4221 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
As you continue north you hit another large fjord and you ride along the east shore to the town of Kinsarvik. Here there is a nice campground with a view.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/466/1...ffee8b1d_c.jpgDSC02485 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/428/1...b7c1f11d_c.jpgflam-molde 13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/308/1...88b57e9c_c.jpgDSC02489 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/541/1...b3b3725a_c.jpgflam-molde 19 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/397/1...0526cc01_c.jpgDSC02497 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/447/1...77cc788e_c.jpgflam-molde 23 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/418/1...0bec1ecd_c.jpgflam-molde 27 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Gene and Neda joined up with us here later in the day. They had met Takeshi from Japan on the road and asked him to join us all. It was a great photo op with his bike between the 4 Canadian bikes.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/419/1...b2a3c323_c.jpgflam-molde 14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/492/1...dc04162c_c.jpgflam-molde 16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/369/1...c44068a6_c.jpgflam-molde 17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We had a dry night until about 6 when the rain started, but again at about 8 we got a break to pack up. We had planned to go up the 13 and take the cut off to Flam and then head to Lom, but somewhere we missed the turn and ended up north and we had to make a circle route. In the end this worked out better since we like Flam and we love a circle route.
https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/...347d83db_b.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-24 at 9.22.26 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/...a735d162_c.jpgflam-molde 24 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We headed out again north on the 13 To the Hradanger Bridge, which is the largest suspension bridge in Norway. You enter the bridge thru a 3 km tunnel (which actually has a round about in side it) and then leave the bridge where it enters directly into another 7 km tunnel.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/482/1...93cd84fa_c.jpgflam-molde 28 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/511/1...6594f83b_c.jpgflam-molde 30 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/347/1...ec5d2163_c.jpgflam-molde 29 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/277/1...ab442c0b_c.jpgflam-molde 31 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/537/1...21c00986_c.jpgflam-molde 32 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Just after this we took a detour on a single-track road to the quant town of Ulvik, or it would have been if it had not been pouring. The circle route back to the 13 is over a number of switchbacks and over the mountain.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/347/1...43ba3bfa_c.jpgflam-molde 33 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/288/1...a3f0da92_c.jpgflam-molde 34 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3739/...a965a922_c.jpgflam-molde 35 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
At Voss you continue north on the 13 and originally we had planned to go east here on the 16 to flam and Lom, but we had continued to keep going north. This leads over a high snowy mountain pass with lots of switchbacks and an incredible number of massive waterfalls. It was pretty foggy at times and got down to 4 degrees. The color of the mountain lakes was aquamarine. This dropped us at the ferry at Vagsnes and to Hella.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/425/1...3ef2ef2d_c.jpgflam-molde 36 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/320/1...744d2023_c.jpgflam-molde 37 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/422/1...893f4302_c.jpgflam-molde 38 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
From the Hella side we had much better weather and we rode east on the 55 and then south on the 5. Here again there is a long tunnel that ends at the ferry dock at our second crossing today near Kaupaner. After the crossing you unload and go into another long tunnel. This ends at Laerdalsoyri and from here you can either take the 25 km tunnel or the old mountain road in to Flam. The weather at the start looked good so we went on the road. This is a single track with passing places. The accent is continuous and the drop in temperature is too. At the summit is a large snow covered peak. After this the visibility was very poor and the temperature dropped to 2 degrees.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/367/1...e6d011c2_c.jpgflam-molde 39 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
When we started to descend the fog cleared and you could see the amazing views of the fjords below. There is a viewing platform cantilevered out from the cliff at Stegastein. From here the descent is all switchbacks to the seaside.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/295/1...2a9f2fb4_c.jpgflam-molde 41 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/328/1...d7872bd9_c.jpgDSC02537 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/...3cc4fa1f_c.jpgflam-molde 43 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/265/1...8f3372be_c.jpgflam-molde 44 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/...f42ea428_c.jpgflam-molde 45 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The little town of Flam is a tourist hub. Our friend Dieter told us there is a good brewery here so we had to check it out.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/559/1...51a2536e_c.jpgflam-molde 47 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/431/1...7c7f32a5_c.jpgflam-molde 48 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3690/...12371efd_c.jpgflam-molde 49 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
After a restful night we woke up to just a tiny drizzle. Today we will finally make it to Lom, but then we will continue on to Molde. This route takes in two famous switchback routes (Geiranger and Trollsteigen). The first part of the route today is to get back to the Ferry at Kaupaner.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/470/1...d3e7130bbd.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-24 at 9.28.12 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Since we have a long day planned we backtracked but we took the 25 km tunnel thru the mountain. There are actually 3 lay by rest stops along the way inside the tunnel! By the time we got to the ferry we had done about 30 of the first 40 km in tunnels. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/422/1...91586104_c.jpgflam-molde 51 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/508/1...4540472d_c.jpgDSC02563 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr The ferry dock is only accessed by a tunnel. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/344/1...97b04890_c.jpgflam-molde 54 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Getting off the ferry we took the 7 km tunnel to the village of Kaupaner. There is a nice Stave church here.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/346/1...476257b0_c.jpgflam-molde 55 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/415/1...259d1181_c.jpgflam-molde 56 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Continuing north on the 5 we turned onto the 55 at Sogndalsfjora towards Lom. The first part of the route was along the fjord and there are lots of tunnels and waterfalls. The road is narrow and single lane in many sections. There is a high pass into Lom with lots of switchbacks on the way up and down. On the down side we finally saw the sun after 3 days. We stopped for lunch at the Stave church here.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/437/1...637bdbc5_c.jpgflam-molde 57 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/335/1...c0dd7ede_c.jpgflam-molde 59 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3755/...815639b7_c.jpgflam-molde 60 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The route out of Lom on the 15 is on a wider and now dry road so we could finally get over 70 km/hr and make some time. When you hit the 63 and head north again you rise steeply on the switchback on the road to Geiranger. We ran into Gene and Neda at the top of the pass.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/346/1...a9bff1fe_c.jpgflam-molde 62 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/501/1...58470a15_c.jpgflam-molde 63 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/559/1...dd974af3_c.jpgflam-molde 66 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We continued down to the village, which was packed with tourists from the many cruise ships here. The road rises up again out of the valley on the other side towards Eidsdalen. Here you catch the ferry to Valdal. From here you are now headed to the famed Trollstigen highway.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/355/1...d2ebded6_c.jpgflam-molde 67 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We had sun and clear skies as we approached, but as we neared the brink of the 6 km Trolls ladder the fog got very deep. We had no view of the famous road until the bottom. It must be pretty spectacular on a clear day with the crazy road and the huge waterfalls. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/523/1...3fcba559_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-24 at 9.28.53 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/500/1...82d4fd63_c.jpgflam-molde 69 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3695/...5ac39fca_c.jpgflam-molde 70 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/444/1...1c0dbaee_c.jpgflam-molde 68 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Going great there.Brings back some touristy and twisty memories of Trollstigen.
http://i2.wp.com/www.musafirhuyaron....size=660%2C496 Please come over for a Long Drink,if you guys are passing thru Helsinki. Cheers Biru |
Quote:
Oh darn! My RR is a bit behind. We left Helsinki just yesterday. We are in Talinn. That is too bad bit thanks for the offer and Great pictur!!! Sara |
It was nearly 1830 now and we still had 100 km to go. We headed to the ferry at Afarnes to Salsnes and from the to the tunnel to Molde. We arrived at the tunnel at 7 pm to find it closed from 1800 -0600 for repairs and this made the last 7 km into an almost 60 km detour via the end of the fjord and back down the other side. Long day!
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5780/...1c500a2d_c.jpgScreen Shot 2015-08-13 at 11.28.36 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5667/...c6d25fca_b.jpgScreen Shot 2015-08-13 at 11.31.18 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Today we had no fixed destination except to get to “The Atlantic Road”. This is an 8.3 km section of County road 64 that runs through an archipelago. It is built on several small islands, which are connected by causeways, viaducts, and 8 bridges. It is located 67 km northwest of Molde.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/370/1...feecb8a6d7.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-24 at 9.38.02 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/366/1...12e52ffe4e.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-24 at 9.38.25 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Leaving Molde you ride 40 km to join the scenic route from Bud. We were lucky to have no rain and ran the road back and forth a few times.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/263/1...e17a49b6_c.jpgatlantic road 6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/546/1...1f12be14_c.jpgatlantic road 7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/403/1...db2fc37b_c.jpgatlantic road 1 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/462/1...65848467_c.jpgatlantic road 2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/531/1...62f6b6c0_c.jpgatlantic road 3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/287/1...aaec2396_c.jpgatlantic road 8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/487/1...110070c0_c.jpgatlantic road 9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/494/1...36105e8d_c.jpgatlantic road 14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/457/1...f1fa6165_c.jpgatlantic road 15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
From here you get on the 70 and then the E39 and stay on it until Trondheim in 189 km. There are 2 sea tunnels. The first 7 km one is at the exit to the Atlantic road has the only manned tollbooth in the country and the only one that has a fee for motorcycles (61Kr = 10$). They know how to get the tourists! The second is like elsewhere there is no toll. Trondheim is a huge city on the E6 and we got thru with not too much traffic. The E6 becomes a 2-lane highway north of the city and the cars start to thin out.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/282/1...d82b92ea_c.jpgDSC02685 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We stopped for the night just south of Verdalsora at the “KOA” campsite. We splurged as the price for a small cabin with power, heat and a small kitchen was 16 $ more than tent camping for 2 people with 2 motorbikes. Ahhh luxury! https://farm1.staticflickr.com/492/1...95eb3e96_c.jpgatlantic road 18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The distance from Steinkjer to Bodo is 690 km. There are six ferries along the Fv 17 that are from 10 to 60 min long crossings. The weather is supposed to be improving, but there is no evidence of this yet. It is just another 30 km north on the busy E6 until you turn onto the 17 when you reach Steinkjer, which is the gateway to the Kystriksveien or Coastal route to Bodo.
We started out late at 11 am in the rain again. From Steinkjer we drove the 77 km to Namsos with a fairly heavy traffic. Here the cars and RVs thin out and the road continues with twists and turns another 139 km to the first ferry at Holm. The last 100 km before the ferry it got very cold and it really started to pour. This is the unfun part of overland travel. The days you just want to go home. We had planned to go another 50 km after the ferry. We only had to wait about 10 minutes for the ferry. This is an enclosed boat and passengers have to leave the car deck. This meant a heated lounge and a hot coffee! Arriving in 20 minutes at Vennesund we were thrilled to see a camping site at the dock with small cabins. For not much more than camping we had a dry heated cabin with a small kitchenette. The other bonus was wifi fast enough to get in some Netflix. This was a great break from the horrible weather outside. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/401/2...20bf5960_z.jpgScreen Shot 2015-08-02 at 7.32.58 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3770/...b1164bc8ae.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-24 at 9.40.21 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We were stoked to see only a light rain when we got up and then after an hour or so some sunshine.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/319/2...dde771d2_c.jpgDSC02695 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Today our plan is to head towards Bodo and get as far as we can get. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/310/1...4fb1e93f82.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-29 at 8.44.46 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr The ferry schedules are timed here so you can make it from one to the next, but of course we were now out of the rotation. We waited until the rain had almost stopped before we packed up and stupidly we did not consult the ferry schedule. There is a 64 km drive to the ferry at horn, and we missed it by 10 minutes. This meant an hour plus wait for the next sailing. But this did make time for a snack. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/477/2...15054138_c.jpgDSC02696 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/285/1...ab322e87_c.jpgDSC02698 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The crossing was again 20 minutes to Anddalsvag.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/365/1...3159016b_c.jpgDSC02699 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/272/1...7f2e8a76_c.jpgDSC02700 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Then everyone races the 17 km to the dock at Forvik because if you miss this boat the next is in 2 hours. There is a 60-minute crossing to Tjotta with the option to get off at 3 smaller islands on the way if you wish. From here it is another 71 km to Levang, but since we now had the schedule worked out we had time to stop for some groceries on the way. The road here is big sweeping turns thru the countryside. This last crossing today to Nesna was 25 minutes. There is also a nice church and museum on the way. This is the most beautiful of the islands with snow-capped mountains and the road curving along the fjords. There are two 3 km very narrow and poorly lit tunnels on route. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/455/1...9389e28b_c.jpgDSC02702 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3829/...d469151a_c.jpgDSC02703 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/432/2...b94a9bd8_c.jpgDSC02708 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/326/1...b97a90f9_c.jpgDSC02716 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/438/1...baa20f88_c.jpgDSC02728 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/360/2...f57f8f62_c.jpgDSC02729 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/513/1...b1191e2b_c.jpgDSC02739 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/453/2...63491188_c.jpgDSC02733 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3823/...39843cd1_c.jpgDSC02738 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We arrived at the camping at Haugland just as it really started to pour. A cabin it is again. The rain did stop and with a bit of sun the reflections were amazing.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/396/1...43f0e8db_c.jpgDSC02743 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/539/1...3b941b0f_c.jpgDSC02746 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/502/1...300a8d74_c.jpgDSC03380 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/398/1...a4f246ab_c.jpgDSC02751 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/473/1...b02fdbf0_c.jpgDSC02753 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3748/...ec4047b6_c.jpgDSC02752 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Leaving in the morning it had improved to cloudy with occasional showers. But at least we had figured out the ferry schedules.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/457/2...f7aa55d6cf.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-29 at 8.47.02 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/391/1...6e6c4a60_c.jpgDSC02741 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We had just a 30 km drive to catch the 10 am ferry from Kiboghamn to Jetvik, which is 60 minutes and you cross the Arctic Circle after about 40 minutes. https://farm1.staticflickr.com/334/2...6e7b8bf8_c.jpgsaltstraumen 1 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/439/2...6a6eca1f_c.jpgsaltstraumen 2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/537/1...5421cb29_c.jpgsaltstraumen 3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/427/1...b78014de_c.jpgsaltstraumen 5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/287/1...d1882551_c.jpgsaltstraumen 6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/275/2...cb2172f3_c.jpgsaltstraumen 7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/444/1...da51df25_c.jpgsaltstraumen 9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3714/...41dddf61_c.jpgsaltstraumen 10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/326/1...ba47c417_c.jpgsaltstraumen 13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/548/1...7e615026_c.jpgsaltstraumen 14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
From here the whole load of cars again races the 28 km from Jetvik to Agskardet to get the next scheduled ferry sailing of 10 minute to Foroy.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/441/2...a8ca634d_c.jpgsaltstraumen 16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/410/2...0a67093d_c.jpgsaltstraumen 17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/349/1...80d2ea55_c.jpgsaltstraumen 18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
You stay on the 17 north another 143 km of winding road along the fjords to arrive at Saltstraumen. This is a small strait with the strongest tidal current in the world. Up to 400,000,000 cubic meters of water flow thru the 3 km long and 150 meter wide strait every 6 hours. Water speeds reach 41 km/h and vortexes or maelstroms form that are up to 10 meters wide. We went down to see the water flow at the low flow so we were really impressed when we saw it at high slow. The vortexes were so huge they were like volcanic craters.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/399/1...b0a46e2f_c.jpgsaltstraumen 20 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/315/1...6153c719_c.jpgsaltstraumen 21 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Getting up early from the campground we drove the 28 km to the ferry dock at Bodo (pronounced Buddha) to get there at 830 for the 10 sailing, as we did not have a reservation. There was no worry however since they was only 3 bikes to board.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/542/1...5e0d050290.jpgScreen Shot 2015-07-29 at 8.51.26 PM by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/418/1...a1c2a2ee_c.jpgrotsundelv 1 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr The sailing to the Lofoten Islands takes 3-4 hours and can be a bit rough for the last part of the sailing. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3789/...c9a0cc00_c.jpgDSC03410 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Lofoten is an archipelago that even though it lies above the Arctic Circle it has very mild temperatures for this latitude due to the Gulf Stream. There is evidence of human settlement here for 11,000 years. There are 6 major islands, several minor, and hundreds of small islands connected by causeways and bridges. We unloaded the ferry to light rain. The islands are known for the coastal fishing villages, high mountain peaks, and protected harbors. The weather worsened, but still we tried to navigate some of the small roads to the remote villages.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/522/1...4658ab91_c.jpgDSC03411 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/416/1...04118762_c.jpgDSC03413 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm1.staticflickr.com/429/2...f9c136f5_c.jpgDSC03414 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
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