Here’s an example of the kind of roads and vistas you can expect in Norway. This is the famous Trollstigen (or Troll’s Ladder) which connects Andalsnes and Geiranger. I heard it’s even better in the dry:
Yup, wet gear should be carried just in case and heated grips are pretty much an essential accessory this time of the year… remember it’s coooold up in the mountains. But it’s great fun riding along and switching them up a notch as you go higher and higher…
Before rallying it like a mofo up the switchbacks, remember they are single track roads and you might well meet a campervan full of German pensioners coming half the way round with your knee down. Also there’s debris breaking off the mountains (ranging from pebble size to rocks the size of your head), goats, spray from the waterfalls to contend with etc. etc. so it’s no race-track but still very fun to ride!
The hairpins do my head in though – especially on the way down! Yesterday I managed to push myself a little further but I’m still hesitant to let of off the brakes and just “drop” the bike around the turn… Sure different from London riding, this stuff
All you people are welcome to visit in the summer, May-early September is gorgeous around here, but we are now entering the “snow and ice” season. Don’t laugh I’m actually researching studded tyres right now so I can keep riding my NTV through the winter.
Also: the bikers here are top notch – not a single one has passed me without giving me a proper greeting! (Yes even those Harley guys.) Chatted to a bloke from the local Hells Angels chapters at the petrol station and they all seem seriously nice guys.
