Norway in late August and September

I cycled Bodo to Stavanger at the end of August beginning of September 2004 (used the ferry to Bergen – not running now and trains various to Bodo)

I camped every night bar one (after I was caught in a major thunderstorm cw hail in Bergen) Camping was reasonably plentiful and I only wild camped three times. Be prepared to carry food all day – shops or cafes in the north are not plentiful - the opening times of the shops are very short and they are not well stocked. Bicycle spares are available in the larger towns. As you approach Bergen “proper” shops become more common.

It rained – not all the while but quite often – sometimes just heavy locally other times generally – prevailing wind was where the rain came from, the west and south west. Temperatures were never hot and even on the nice days until the sun came over the top of the fjords sides it could be quite chilly – Passing the big glacier just south east of Bodo things froze in the night

The roads in the north were very quiet in places – the tunnels whilst most are lit can be a bit gloomy, very noisy - I would suggest a good array of red flashing LEDs at the rear (at least they make you feel less vulnerable) and a good front light for the unlighted ones (very black and disorienting – actually quiet good when there is some traffic because you can see whereabouts on the road you are)

I managed to find a route that used short ferries – good idea to collect as many timetables for them well in advance of getting to them as there can be long gaps without them - that avoided all the tunnels that you cannot cycle through – you have to be careful cycling on the high bridges, although they all have cyclepaths the wind can be strong enough to blow you into the barriers – I only walked one bridge but it was 1.2km long and I was pressed into the barrier all the way

Getting from the North into Bergen can be a bit tricky – there is a cycle route but it is not very well sign posted.

The Main road between Kristiansand and Oslo is a no no for bicycles, very narrow and very busy – there is an alternative cycle route which can be a bit tough and indirect – particularly the short off road sections for which there are no alternatives

As to the scenery, you do not need to go looking for it – absolutely mega whatever the weather. I Thoroughly enjoyed Norway and this September I was back cycling in southern Norway

A small boy in Bergen was asked by a visitor “does it always rain here?” . The boy replied “ I don’t know I am only 15 years old”

I toured Norway for 3 weeks starting in mid June and although I took cooking equipment I rarely used them, as every campsite I stayed at was equiped with a kitchen.

But it was nice to know I had something as a backup should I need it. As others have stated some of the distances between towns/campsites can sometimes catch you out.

For the record I think I did 22 days in Norway and it rained at some point during the day for about 17 days and rained solidly for 8 of those 17 days. But the scenery made up for it and I enjoyed the big distances between towns.

Yeah the rain gear is a must

I managed pretty much 1000 miles exactly, with 3 rest days. I flew with Ryanair to Oslo Torp(160km below Oslo) and made my way North to Narvik and then turned right into Sweden.

The origional plan was to go all the way to the North Cape but after one too many drenchings and the fact that the expense of everything nearly reduced me to tears I settled on Sweden hoping they would at least have reasonably priced beer and they did

I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Norway though and would definately consider the Lofoten Islands next time.

Tim Farr wrote:

There was and perhaps still is, a publication 'Tunnelguide for syklister'which lists every tunnel in Norway - name,length, location,whether open to cyclists and altermative routes for those that are closed. Looking at my copy the majority are closed for us peddalers. Aternatives can be the old road - in other words 'over the mountain'. You can also catch a bus; that's what I did to get through two long tunnels on the road from Sogndal to Stryn.

Where can you get the guide? Can't remember - write to tourist office in Bergen?

A new map has been produced in conjunction with the Syklistenes Landsforening and is now available. It details all the cycle routes in Norway as a 1:1000,000 scale map and it does mark the banned tunnels but without the information of the lengths and alternative routes. If you want a copy send an e-mail to Sissel Jenseth she is responsible for Cycletouring within the 'Syklistenes Landsforening' her e-mail is on the 'kontakt' page.

You might find our Norwegian Tunnel map useful for planning as it does list the lengths, conditions and alternative routes of the banned tunnels.

Tim, if you do go back to Norway next year it would be great to get any feedback on any tunnels that you encounter.