DAY 11 - BERGEN TO BYKLE

Early start today as Nigel was sorting car park at 8am.
Ed not feeling great the last few days, and  got worse last night.
Trip to the hospital to get checked over and we're back on the road for 9.30am.
Today's planned trip is for 200 miles and we arrive at Harvik ferry for 10.10am

Weather poor this morning. Been raining overnight and still raining this
morning.  Some change from the start of our trip!
Rest of group well ahead, so bit of catch up to do today. No problem though to the big
"Girlz"
Off ferry and it's a brisk ride to our next crossing. Once again raining, but we
chase on and arrive in good time for the ferry, which we see coming towards the
terminal from further up the road.

Got a text from Nigel to skip out third ferry and head for Odda, where there is a
"massive waterfall" as Nigel would say. Rain is bouncing off the bikes upstairs, we'll soon
be back on the road.

Off ferry and it clears up again. Head off to Odda and the road is
excellent - plenty of twists and turns and it's dry.
During the trip we have gone though a number of tunnels - yesterday we encountered the most

as we came into Bergen, but today we came through a tunnel ELEVEN
kilometres long!
Strange also that you can come into tunnel and it's raining and come out the
other side and it's dry.
Arrived at hotel for 4pm and the Ed boy's still not feeling great, so it's a hot
shower for him and tea at 7pm.

DAY 10 - ALESUND TO BERGEN

First sign of the day

Left hotel at 7.30am and headed for our first ferry of the day. Been raining
overnight but drying out as we leave.
We join Frances this morning and arrive at the ferry crossing for just after
8am.

First port of the day

Ed reckons we missed the first ferry as I spent too much time in the WC.......whatever can he mean??

 Anyhow, 8.10 and she's on her way back.

Leaving  Solavagen and heading  across the pond to Festoya.  Arrived 9.22 at
Volda and heading to Folkestad.
Weather still dry but cloudy.

Arrived next ferry at Lote for 10.23am. Heading over to Anda. Good run down E39
and weather holding up well.
11.25 first fuel stop as Frances's bike doesn't have the range  of the GS's.
Rain just started.

Dragsvik ferry terminal

  Ferry view

A wee trip across this awaits

Water, water everywhere......

....and even more water!!

Arrived Dragsvik after a spirited ride over the mountain pass.......CLASS. What a

great ride!......  Loads of twists and turns, hairpins.  Just what we came for.

Next ferry is to Vangsnes and due to leave at 2.10pm. Sun is back out but temp was
down to 12 degrees on the mountain.

There's a road hiding behind all that mist.......

.......there really is!

Arrived hotel Bergen after 2hours of lashing rain. Bikes parked up, quick shower
and out for a bite to eat.

Eddie and Frances

Ed setting off into the mist

Keeping us informed

Fab viewEven better view!

DAY 9 - OPTIONAL RIDE TO TROLLSTIGGEN

Optional Ride to Trollstiggen....

Up and at it again Tuesday morning. Today is a more relaxing ride, optional,  and there's no pressure
put on anyone to do it.

But we're here to ride bikes and most of the guys have taken the

opportunity to head off and do just that.

Eddie and I head off at 8.30 and have a relaxing ride to Trollstiggen. What a

beautiful place!  Waterfalls, mountains and amazing roads.... well worth the run to

it.

Back to the hotel for 2.30pm and it's going to be a chillout afternoon.

Weather today is good, with temps of 21degrees, although we got caught in a few

showers but these cleared quickly.

Never expected the weather to be so good this far North.

 

Pictures say more than I could so here's a few to enjoy.

WOW.......there's ice up there!!

Cafe at Trollstiggen

Taking in the views

Some road for a bike!!

Same road but SO good it deserves TWO photos

FABULOUS SCENERY  -  OUTSTANDING COUNTRY

NEVER MISS A PHOTO OPPORTUNITY!

DAY 8 - NAMSOS TO ALESUND

Another glorious day as we head off on one of our longest days.

310 miles planned but turns out to be more like 340 after we take in the

Atlantic road.

Today has spectacular views and we are able to see the magnificence of the

country as we take some ferries along the route.

Got to hotel at 7.30pm - twelve hours in the saddle today. Great days riding.

Some of the group, having left a bit later,  arrived at 10pm -  a long day!

All at hotel safe and well and tomorrow is planned in as a more relaxing day.

This is only our second time of spending two nights in the same hotel.

VIEW FROM ONE OF THE FERRY CROSSINGS TODAY



BRIDGE ALONG ATLANTIC ROAD

BIKER BOY WITH BRIDGE IN THE BACKGROUND



THIS BAD BOY IN PORT - OUR LAST FERRY OF THE DAY

DAY 7 - MOI RANA TO NAMSOS

Having reached our destination it was time to head south.

Early start today as we have 4 ferries to catch. Because it's a Sunday they run

a reduced service.

This enables the group to travel closer together, and it's a great sight to see all

the bikes in convoy, waiting at the ferry for boarding, and lined up on the deck

of the ferry.

Fantastic weather again which only adds to everyone's enjoyment.

The roads are tremendous and the views from both sea and motorcycle are amazing.

Having reached Nasmos we check in at our hotel, "The Rock City" which has rock and

roll themed rooms.

Having been only built in 2011,it is a very modern hotel.

Bikes parked out the front, and it's time for a quick wash (the riders that is) and a refreshing walk along the harbour.

Another great day over. Time is passing by so fast. Hard to believe that this is

Eddie 's and my 9th day on the road.

Angela checking over the bike while Ian keeps up international relations with

the locals

Desmond surveying his surroundings

Phillip and Dave checking out the RT

Ferry lanes

Mike wishing he had bought a white GSA instead of the DSB one

The Girlz loaded and secure

Waiting to get loaded

Harbour view - just about to catch our ferry

 

Namsos 

Man in the sea at Moi Rana

Sun reflecting off the sea at Moi Rana -  beautiful

DAY 6 - MOI RANA TO ARCTIC CIRCLE

The day has arrived and it's a 55 mile leisurely ride to the visitor centre at

the artic circle.

Ed and I head off on a cooler morning than we have had since this trip began   -  we're down to just

16 degrees today.

An hour gets us to the centre and we're the first of our group to arrive.

We congratulate each other on getting to the Artic circle,  and then do the

customary photos, gift shop and phone call to our loved ones.

Nigel had agreed a group photo and we have this taken at 10.00 am.

The area around the centre has more vegetation than I imagined, with only a small

amount of snow on higher ground.

POLAR CIRCLE VISITOR CENTRE 



  

At the Norway - Sweden border 

Sightseeing over and we decide on a ride into Sweden  -  an hour and a half later

and we're over the border.  More photos taken and it's back to the hotel.

Bikes are looking decidedly secondhand, so a bit of a clean up is a must before we

start our journey south tomorrow

Another great days riding.

Beautiful scenery on our way to the Arctic Circle...........

 

  

Ed having a whizz......

 

.....all finished Harry!!

MEAN BIKE RIDER!

(Have been advised by my sister in law that selfies are obviously not a good idea for me)