Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Xlratr on August 13, 2016, 04:07:19 AM
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It's mid August but wet and cold and I'm just hoping things will pick up soon. The countdown has started and next Saturday I'm leaving for a one week trip up to Norway. I've been there before, twice up to the North Cape, but I don't have a concrete destination this time. Just cruising and taking in the beautiful scenery. With no real schedule I probably won't cover the same distance as in previous years but I should at least get up above the Arctic Circle. Let's see!
I'm not a talented writer or photographer but I always enjoy other people's ride reports so I thought I'd post something here for you folks in this thread.
My intensive preparation for the trip consists of the following:
1) Oil change
2) Getting a new thermos flask
I won't bore you with the first part other than to say that the large piece of black tarpaulin I bought years ago was a worthwhile investment!
Then I got one of those cool iconic American flasks from Stanley. You know, the green painted metal ones with the handle, but I was disappointed to find out that they're now made in China. Oh well!
So that's it. I'm ready to go!
I'll post some pictures along the way depending on wifi availability and what my data plan abroad allows. To avoid multiple uploads for friends and family and here, I'll just upload them to a Flickr album and post the link.
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Good luck with your trip, look forward to seeing your pics/write ups.
btw, hot,dry & sunny in western France, haven't seen rain for weeks!
Hope the weather's kind for you.
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John, Looking forward to your trip report and pics. Fill that Stanley flask with Woodford Reserve. I know where it's made( 15 miles from my house). JohnB
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Norway is on my to-do list.
I envy you and look forward to your pictures and reports.
Ride safe!
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How great and not any extra preparation.....
Have a great time and be safe.
Mark
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If you through Froysnes, I'd love a report - have ancestors from there.
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:kiss:
If you through Froysnes, I'd love a report - have ancestors from there.
Nic, I can't find Froysnes, but I found Froynes. If that's the place, I can go that way. In fact, I can go any way! I have no destination :-)
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The being on a motorcycle trip with no destinations or time frame is truly a freedom to enjoy. Have a great trip - post photos and trip reports as much as you can.
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All you need for a great bike trip is a Guzzi and a toothbrush... :thumb:
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It's mid August but wet and cold and I'm just hoping things will pick up soon. The countdown has started and next Saturday I'm leaving for a one week trip up to Norway. I've been there before, twice up to the North Cape, but I don't have a concrete destination this time. Just cruising and taking in the beautiful scenery. With no real schedule I probably won't cover the same distance as in previous years but I should at least get up above the Arctic Circle. Let's see!
I'm not a talented writer or photographer but I always enjoy other people's ride reports so I thought I'd post something here for you folks in this thread.
My intensive preparation for the trip consists of the following:
1) Oil change
2) Getting a new thermos flask
I won't bore you with the first part other than to say that the large piece of black tarpaulin I bought years ago was a worthwhile investment!
Then I got one of those cool iconic American flasks from Stanley. You know, the green painted metal ones with the handle, but I was disappointed to find out that they're now made in China. Oh well!
So that's it. I'm ready to go!
I'll post some pictures along the way depending on wifi availability and what my data plan abroad allows. To avoid multiple uploads for friends and family and here, I'll just upload them to a Flickr album and post the link.
i'm coming over from Australia mid May 2017 with the Norge for another trip to the Nordkapp, wanna work something out ?
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I'm not a talented writer or photographer but I always enjoy other people's ride reports so I thought I'd post something here for you folks in this thread.
Lots of people think they're not a talented writer or photographer, but then they post their travel pictures and comments, and it turns out that they ARE talented! Matter of fact, I can't remember the last one I saw I didn't enjoy ... and we're looking forward to this one!
Especially about how the Stanley thermos bottle works for you .... :thumb:
Lannis
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i'm coming over from Australia mid May 2017 with the Norge for another trip to the Nordkapp, wanna work something out ?
Hi Huzo. I don't think I'd be going up so soon after this trip, but you never know. Lets keep in touch on that. By the way, Nordkapp in May? Might still be a bit "chilly"!
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:kiss:
Nic, I can't find Froysnes, but I found Froynes. If that's the place, I can go that way. In fact, I can go any way! I have no destination :-)
I think in Aust Agder. No one from my family has been back, and by the time they made it across the ocean, the name had been changed to Swanson.
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I think in Aust Agder. No one from my family has been back, and by the time they made it across the ocean, the name had been changed to Swanson.
Just checked the map. Aust Agder is a county, but not any specific place. But it's pretty much the first county I'll be riding through, so that's easy. I'll take some pictures. Can't see any town or village sounding like Froysnes though.
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John, I wasn't going to give you a list of suggestions - but - since I've researched Norway for a while, I do hope you'll do the famous Trollstigen (Troll's road).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e83KACnF9o
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John, I wasn't going to give you a list of suggestions - but - since I've researched Norway for a while, I do hope you'll do the famous Trollstigen (Troll's road).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e83KACnF9o
I've been there before, but the roads were wet last time. So I'm planning to go that way again this time. It's a spectacular road! :bike-037:
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Hi Huzo. I don't think I'd be going up so soon after this trip, but you never know. Lets keep in touch on that. By the way, Nordkapp in May? Might still be a bit "chilly"!
yeah was last year on June 22, but got a bit of a warm from the sun @ 00.00 Hrs. !!!!
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Just checked the map. Aust Agder is a county, but not any specific place. But it's pretty much the first county I'll be riding through, so that's easy. I'll take some pictures. Can't see any town or village sounding like Froysnes though.
Looks like a tiny village on Rt 9 a few miles north of where the road crosses to the west side of the fjord. I only know that by zooming in on the accuweather map! Anyway, enjoy the trip, looking forward to nordic stories.
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It's mid August but wet and cold and I'm just hoping things will pick up soon. The countdown has started and next Saturday I'm leaving for a one week trip up to Norway. I've been there before, twice up to the North Cape, but I don't have a concrete destination this time. Just cruising and taking in the beautiful scenery. With no real schedule I probably won't cover the same distance as in previous years but I should at least get up above the Arctic Circle. Let's see!
I'm not a talented writer or photographer but I always enjoy other people's ride reports so I thought I'd post something here for you folks in this thread.
My intensive preparation for the trip consists of the following:
1) Oil change
2) Getting a new thermos flask
I won't bore you with the first part other than to say that the large piece of black tarpaulin I bought years ago was a worthwhile investment!
Then I got one of those cool iconic American flasks from Stanley. You know, the green painted metal ones with the handle, but I was disappointed to find out that they're now made in China. Oh well!
So that's it. I'm ready to go!
I'll post some pictures along the way depending on wifi availability and what my data plan abroad allows. To avoid multiple uploads for friends and family and here, I'll just upload them to a Flickr album and post the link.
Do you intend to go up the Atlantic Road and over the " bridge to nowhere" it's a bit of a heart in the mouth experience.
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Still a few days to go before take-off, and still too early to pack. So I've been looking for stuff to do. I haven't used my Coleman feather stove in many years so I thought I'd check to make sure it's OK. It wasn't! So I took it apart, cleaned it, squirted fuel in my eye and reassembled it. All's well! This stove is not made in China!
There was a lot of carbon though, so I'm thinking it might need a new map. :grin:
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John, Looking forward to your trip report and pics. Fill that Stanley flask with Woodford Reserve. I know where it's made( 15 miles from my house). JohnB
I want to visit John. Woodford reserve is my go to whiskey. Good stuff if you don't want to pay for Jefferson Ocean.
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Do you intend to go up the Atlantic Road and over the " bridge to nowhere" it's a bit of a heart in the mouth experience.
It's a nice road, but I won't be going there this time. I only have a week, so I have to leave some places out. It's a long country! :-)
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I want to visit John. Woodford reserve is my go to whiskey. Good stuff if you don't want to pay for Jefferson Ocean.
Okay. You guys convinced me. I ordered a bottle and hope it arrives on time. :boozing:
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You are welcome to come and stay with me! No charge of course! ☺ www.airbnb.no look for Tveito
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You are welcome to come and stay with me! No charge of course! ☺ www.airbnb.no look for Tveito
Thanks Guzzistaracing! What a great offer, I appreciate it. I just checked Roldal on google maps and it looks like a beautiful place. In fact, I'll probably be passing right through there. I think it's too far for me to reach on Saturday night and too close to stop on Sunday. But maybe we can meet for a coffee when I'm passing through? I'll send you a PM.
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Good luck on the trip. Who knows, you may manage a few Lap's, and make it to the Finnish!
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John, Looking forward to your trip report and pics. Fill that Stanley flask with Woodford Reserve. I know where it's made( 15 miles from my house). JohnB
OK. Never let it be said that I'm not willing to take advice. This arrived today in the post, with time to spare!
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8007/28429990654_b6d13eaa02_t.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Kjg8JE) by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/Kjg8JE)
So what's the recommendation on drinking this? With water or straight? If "With" then how much? And will Fjord water be OK? :-). Ice might be a problem!
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I like mine straight up and piss warm with maybe some water on the side. Use a glass you can hold in the palm of your hand to warm for extra aroma. This works out great if you are travelling. Keep your flask in your inside breast pocket or tucked in your waistband. YMMV
(*IF* you want to do something sacrilegious and thin this down try ginger ale, but that is better for cheap bourbon with men's names that start with J on the bottle)
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It's a nice road, but I won't be going there this time. I only have a week, so I have to leave some places out. It's a long country! :-)
:copcar:
I recommend that you take the road "Brokke Suleskard" and down to Lysebotn. Google it. Youtube!!!!
Also road 44 between Flekkefjord-Egersund. Or 461 between Nodeland and Kvinesdal.( Liknes )
This is 3 examples in the south.
( I live close to Kristiansand and have driven there many times )
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Lofoten is worth the detour, it's a couple of hours from Svolvaer that has a great camping ground 12 km east on main road. Cabins and sites. I can PM you his e mail if you want
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:copcar:
I recommend that you take the road "Brokke Suleskard" and down to Lysebotn. Google it. Youtube!!!!
Also road 44 between Flekkefjord-Egersund. Or 461 between Nodeland and Kvinesdal.( Liknes )
This is 3 examples in the south.
( I live close to Kristiansand and have driven there many times )
Thanks for the suggestions EJS. I've been to Lysebotn by motorcycle before and you're right, the road is unbelievable :-). There are so many nice places in Norway and it's difficult to choose. But with only one week and the intention to get pretty far north, i'll have to leave some good stuff out :-(. I can do the 461 though, so thanks for that tip.
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Lofoten is worth the detour, it's a couple of hours from Svolvaer that has a great camping ground 12 km east on main road. Cabins and sites. I can PM you his e mail if you want
yep, that's where I'm headed! :-). email would be great, thanks Huzo
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"...straight up and piss warm..."
:thumb:
That sounds pretty sophisticated. I'll do that!
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yep, that's where I'm headed! :-). email would be great, thanks Huzo
I've just shot off an e mail to check if it's OK to pass on his personal address, but I'm certain it will be ok. As soon as I hear from him I'll pass it on, it seemed like the decent thing to do. Anyway the park is about 12 km from Svolvaer on the left on the way in just before the tunnel
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Ok just heard back from Norway. Address is asbjorn72@gmail.com
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Thanks Huzo
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Hammerstad Camping located at 68deg 21' 29" N 14deg 29' 09" E
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Hope you have a fantastic time! Definitely high up on my bucket list...even if I have to rent *cough* a B*W! :rolleyes:
P.S. Take LOTS of money...Norway=expensive
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P.S. Take LOTS of money...Norway=expensive
Yes, but ....
Camping isn't expensive and they have little huts that you can rent for a night. And you can basically camp for a night on any piece of unfenced ground. For free! (Guzzi content).
Alcohol is expensive, but I've planned ahead! :thumb:
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You will find lots of great food, but don't let em trick you in to trying Lutefisk.. it's a trap!!
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John, I'm in Odda tonight, will ride around on the west coast for a few days before returning to Oslo.
Our paths just might cross.
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John, I'm in Odda tonight, will ride around on the west coast for a few days before returning to Oslo.
Our paths just might cross.
Quite possible. I'll be heading north and probably even going through Odda on Sunday. Grey Stelvio, German plates, white helmet. :bike-037:
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Locked and loaded.
A very poor quality photo, but it's night time. Sorry! But there she is. Ready to roll.
I'll be up at the crack of Dawn, heading north to Hirtshals in Denmark. From there I'll be taking the ferry to Norway. Can't wait to roll!
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7520/29061485096_6621a1d56c_m.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Lh4H2S) by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/Lh4H2S)
Dawn, get over here! :wink:
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So tell me, did we steer you right with the bourbon?
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So tell me, did we steer you right with the bourbon?
The Woodford reserve is in the left case. I haven't tried it yet though! Waiting till I'm up north, but I'll let you know! :-)
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We're near Stavanger now (Saturday afternoon) heading east over Suleskar and will spend the night in Setesdal a little south of Valle.
I believe you're in for nice weather up north!
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We chickened out, decided not to cross the mountains in the rain, also it would likely get dark before we got across.
Hope for better conditions tomorrow for this great ride!
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"Pulled out of Hamburg rolling up the eastern seaboard..."
Set off more or less as planned, grabbed a bite while filling up and headed through the harbour on my way to the Autobahn. Hamburg is a nice city by the way, if you're ever in Germany you should check it out.
Isn't it a great feeling setting off on a long journey? It's almost the best bit!
I thought I had plenty of time but I seriously miscalculated the amount of holiday traffic and road works. And then it started to rain. A lot! It rained so hard I should really have stopped, but I had a ferry to catch and it was looking tight. So I pressed on. 3 hours of non stop downpours, but the bike ran like a champ.
Crossed in to Denmark in a long line of traffic. They've set up border controls there because of all the refugees. But they didn't stop me.
Can't believe how cold it is for August. I hope it gets better. "Fueled and got some coffee" (Lyle Lovett! :-) 50 km south of Hirtshals, before arriving at the ferry terminal.
Unfortunately, the ferry wasn't there. Delayed due to bad weather. And there's nothing to do here except stand and wait. In the rain!
When I booked the ferry I opted for the all inclusive buffet in the "comfort class". And I must say, it's pretty good. In fact, the whole deal is reasonable. 2 hour high speed ferry, for one person including motorcycle, plus all food and drink for Euro 150 return. Can't complain!
Due to the delay we'll be docking in Norway at 21:15 so I'm not sure how far I'll get tonight.
Posted some pics here but there was too much rain to take more today.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/125498347@N05/959TaW
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That's a bummer!
Could be the same rain that hit us in the afternoon.
I figure we'll be in Valle for lunch tomorrow.
Are you going up Setesdalen from Kristiansand?
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"Pulled out of Hamburg rolling up the eastern seaboard..."
Are you based in Hamburg Xlratr ?
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Hope you have a fantastic time! Definitely high up on my bucket list...even if I have to rent *cough* a B*W! :rolleyes:
P.S. Take LOTS of money...Norway=expensive
Why BMW ?
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It was already dark when we docked, but it wasn't training so I headed north for an hour or so. I stopped in Horness on the E9 and tomorrow I'll be heading up towards Geiranger via Roldal. Not quite sure how far that is from Valle, but I think it's close. I'll check the map tomorrow.
Just finished putting up my tent in the dark. I celebrated this amazing accomplishment with a glass of Woodford reserve, and I have to say, that was a fine recommendation. Right now, it's all good!:-)
PS @ Huzo, yep I live close to Hamburg
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We'll soon start our ride from Byrkjedal. Maybe 09.30.
I'm on the green roadster, which looks small, it's got black H&B sidebags on.
I have a white helmet, black riding suit, yellow vest.
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We'll soon start our ride from Byrkjedal. Maybe 09.30.
I'm on the green roadster, which looks small, it's got black H&B sidebags on.
I have a white helmet, black riding suit, yellow vest.
I'll watch out for you!
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"Ain't nothing but time
Between this silver goose
And that arctic line"
Well, I guess the Norse Gods were kind. At least it wasn't raining when I packed the tent. But it started again as soon as I set off.
I'm in Aust-Agder. A little foretaste of what the North looks like. I put a couple of pics in the album.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/125498347@N05/5a3838
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John,
Nice pics. I'm a newby, with a 2010 Stelvio NTX - but I'm down in south west France - where, if it rains, it's warm.
I feel your pain, having toured through most of western Europe over the last couple of years the weather can be 'changeable' to say the least. One day it was monsoon weather and too wet to use the tent - next day too hot to use the tent!!
Am really interested in doing Scandinavia, possibly next year, so will be watching your progress with interest. The bike is ideal for long trips - with its combination of power, comfort and road presence - I love mine.
Good luck and keep safe,
Jerry
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Make that a red rain suit!
We should be in the Valle area about noon, will eat there.
+47 90599511
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Nice photos John :thumb:
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11.35, Valle centre
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Figured John must have passed through a while earlier, but waited half an hour then went on to Dalen, a Shangri La-ish place....
Wishing John a nice trip, looking forward to his photos and stories!
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"Ain't nothing but time
Between this silver goose
And that arctic line"
Well, I guess the Norse Gods were kind. At least it wasn't raining when I packed the tent. But it started again as soon as I set off.
I'm in Aust-Agder. A little foretaste of what the North looks like. I put a couple of pics in the album.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/125498347@N05/5a3838
Great photos! Was that rainbow photo from Aust-Agder?
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Figured John must have passed through a while earlier, but waited half an hour then went on to Dalen, a Shangri La-ish place....
Wishing John a nice trip, looking forward to his photos and stories!
Oh man, sorry about that. I just checked the board now and saw your message. That's a pity. I'm heading up towards Geiranger now.
@Nic, yes it was! I had to force myself to stop and get the cameras out in the rain! 😀. Today has been pretty reasonable so far though.
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"No matter what the cost
That Zard exhaust
Makes my motor sigh"
Today was a great day. The roads dried out and I was in motorcycle heaven. I can't really post pictures that do it justice, all I can say is that it doesn't matter which road you choose, because everyone is a motorcycle road. I'm still heading north, passing some beautiful scenery, crossing some impressive bridges and going through quite a few tunnels.
Norway has a lot of mountains and fjords, so they built a LOT of tunnels. It's very impressive. I rode through two today that were over 8km long. One had a roundabout in the middle and another spiraled up inside the mountain. Very cool! But it's always nice to get out again, at least of the sun is shining.
Rode through Roldal and meet up with Guzzistaracing who is on this board. Had a coffee and chatted about Moto Guzzi and Norway. Nice! Unfortunately I missed meeting up with Pebra. If I'd been up here one day earlier or paths would have crossed. WG isn't only an online community! :-)
Decided to find a place to sleep a little earlier tonight, so I came off the road just after 2000 and started looking. I found a great place in the woods next to a stream with a Glacier up on the mountains above me. Very picturesque. There's a little circle of stones with dead birds in it, but I think I'll be fine! :-)
Can't post any pictures because the signal is too weak, but I'll do that tomorrow.
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Got Wi-Fi so I put some pics in the Album
https://www.flickr.com/gp/125498347@N05/xRE9W8
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More! More!! :bow:
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Great pics - even one of a glacier!
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"Says James, in my opinion, there's nothing in this world
Beats an 8 Valve Moto Guzzi and a Redheaded girl.
Now Triumphs and Harleys and Beemers won't do.
Oh, they don't have a Soul like the Guzzi V Twins do"
Today was a great day! Headed north towards Geiranger Fjord. Temperature just right, sunshine and lots of twisty roads. The Fjords look magnificent, sheer rock faces dropping down into the water. They're deep too, so it's no problem for the big cruise ships to come in and dock right next to a little village. The sound of the ship's horn reverberating down the Fjord is pretty special!
It was still quite early when I came through and there was a thin layer of cloud at about 50 metres height stretching for miles down the Fjord. I though it was a natural phenomenon until I realised it was the diesels of the QM2 idling!! Not so nice! Those ships have exhaust emissions, big time!
I came over one hill and struggled to understand what I was looking at. It looked like a hole in the mountains full of blue sky and clouds. It took a couple of seconds to realise that it was a reflection of the sky in the water, but the water was so flat and calm it was a perfect mirror image!
The road from Geiranger up to Trollstigen is probably one of the nicest I've ever ridden. Breathtaking scenery and beautiful curvy roads. Trollstigen (Troll's Steps) is a dramatic serpentine road down the side of the mountain. I've ridden it before, but this time it was dry! :-)
Took another ferry and then started heading north. I managed about 1,000 km today which is pretty good for those kind of roads. But I'm still not at the arctic circle. I'm around 64.5 degrees North, so I'll cross over tomorrow in time for an early lunch or a late breakfast.
Put some more pics in the album
https://www.flickr.com/gp/125498347@N05/Ax5o3g
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stunning photos John, what camera do you use? btw that road looks awesome!!!
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stunning photos John, what camera do you use? btw that road looks awesome!!!
It's an iPhone. :undecided:
A friend of mine has been playing with the colors. I think she's very talented. It isn't reality, but the pictures do look nice I think.
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7771/28894719750_21ddb3c4f1.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/L2jZvh) by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/L2jZvh)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8227/29148843116_54cf7567bb.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LpMrwC) by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/LpMrwC)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8109/28563015123_a4ceb3bc42.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Kw1VgZ) by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/Kw1VgZ)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8554/28560402314_2924a257e8.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/KvMwzy) by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/KvMwzy)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8029/28560405014_4ff9eefab9.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/KvMxo7) by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/KvMxo7)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/28894771320_b4b2e1550f.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/L2kfQq) by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/L2kfQq)
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8797/28560414274_807e1c982c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/KvMA8L) by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/KvMA8L)
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great pics John - keep having fun and be safe....
Mark
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WAY COOL pics,iPhone, adventure. Thank you
Spud
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"Goin' on the corner and havin' some fun
Takin' my Guzzi on a long, hot run"
Today I stopped 50 km short of Bognes and rented a hut for the Night. I stopped pretty early because I was feeling a bit tired. It was cold today, dipping down to 9 degrees Celsius which I find a bit uncomfortable on a long trip. When it's over 14 degrees I don't think about the temperature, but below that and it's tiring.
At 66.33N I crossed the Arctic circle. It's pretty elevated at that point and the landscape looks quite dramatic. You do not want to be stuck out in those hills when it's cold and dark!
It was threatening to rain all day, but although the skies were grey it stayed dry. But it wasn't great photography weather so I only added a couple of pics to the album.
I'm close to the harbour so tomorrow I'll take a ferry over to the Lofoten islands and then start to head south, taking another ferry back to the mainland.
The day was marred a bit by a stupid accident. After 4 and a half years, my Stelvio kissed ground for the first time! I rolled down a hill and stopped behind a van to wait for the lights on a narrow bridge. Suddenly, the guy starts backing up! I can't push the bike backwards uphill, and I'm sounding my horn. Didn't help. He hits the front wheel and I can't hold it. Scuffed mudguard and hand protector and the left crash bar is bent and cracked! I suppose it could have been worse. Spoilt the day though.
A nice meal tonight and a fresh start tomorrow.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/125498347@N05/3T1U6z
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Nothing much to do about getting backed up into when heading downhill. Great adventure reports from the Arctic - thanks for keeping us informed and look out for reindeer!
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Where was the town that the large Cunard liner was berthed ? Are you going to the Nordkapp ?
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Where was the town that the large Cunard liner was berthed ? Are you going to the Nordkapp ?
I think it was Olden on the Fjord just south of Geiranger. Not really a town, just a couple of souvenir shops for the cruise people. And a gas station!
No Nordkapp this time. I'm on the ferry to the Lofoten. This is my plan for the next few hours.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8558/29089704922_b5a0d7f32d_m.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LjykNA)Lofoten by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/LjykNA)
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"I said, "Look out, boys, I've got a license to fly!"
And that GS pulled over and let me by"
Packed the bike this morning and thought it was strange that things didn't fit just quite right. You guessed it, the left side box is buckled. Oh well. Not gonna let it get me down.
Took an early ferry over to Lofoten. Sun was shining and I was looking forward to the ride. It didn't disappoint. What a great run from one end to the other. Lofoten has a very dramatic landscape, few trees, rugged hills and little bays. It feels a bit like being on Jurassic Park, isolated from the rest of Europe. Some beautiful little sandy bays too, but I think the sunbathing season is very short here! Oh, and there's that wonderful twisty road to have fun on.
The scenery is so pretty you want to keep pulling over to take pictures. Which I did, maybe once too often. When I arrived at the south end I was just in time to see the 1400 ferry pulling out. No problem, I'll take the next one. Checked the timetable and found out the next one leaves at 2115. So, time to kill.
I'm in a restaurant eating fish soup. It's very good!
Put some pics in the album.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/125498347@N05/47t86a
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I think it was Olden on the Fjord just south of Geiranger. Not really a town, just a couple of souvenir shops for the cruise people. And a gas station!
No Nordkapp this time. I'm on the ferry to the Lofoten. This is my plan for the next few hours.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8558/29089704922_b5a0d7f32d_m.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LjykNA)Lofoten by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/LjykNA)
The people at the Hammerstad Camping e mailed me and said they would look after you. Ask for cabin # 5 !!!
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BTW, it's 12 k east of Svolvaer on the right
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Really great pictures - VERY like the north west of Scotland - fabulous, empty roads that, if the weather could be guaranteed, would be all I'd ever need...
Keep 'em coming!
Jerry
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Put some pics in the album.
https://www.flickr.com/gp/125498347@N05/47t86a
Fantastic pictures and scenery...last time I was in Norway was a while ago visiting friends in Sandefjord and Larvik....wish I had had a motorcycle back then to ride the roads you've been on...maybe in the future one day a tour of Scandinavia again on the Guzzi...
Keep the pics coming!
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"The last 6 hours the rain was un-stoppable
It was always cold, no sunshine
"There's something good waitin' down this road
I'm pickin' up whatever's mine"
Yep, like Tom said!
As you know, yesterday I missed the afternoon ferry and had 7 hours to wait until the next one. A couple of other bikes pulled in, a Honda Blackbird from Sweden and a new model Africa Twin from Italy. That's a long haul from Milan to the Nordkapp! That was good because chatting with the other riders helped pass the time. The Italians offered coffee and I said yes. So they got out their stove and Bialetti espresso maker! You've got to hand it to the Italians!!
The ferry left on time but it was a long way back to the mainland and we docked around 00:30. It was raining heavily. What to do? Ride on through the night in the rain? Not attractive. Find a campsite and pitch a tent in the wet and the dark? Not really. No hotels anywhere!
I found a roofed over area around the back of a warehouse and there were big plastic bags filled with bubble wrap! Perfect! I laid some out next to each other like a bed and lay down and slept a few hours while the rain poured down. I actually slept well, woke up around 05:30 and moved on. A couple of miles down the rode I saw the Italian Africa Twin parked among some trees. They'd obviously not got far in the night and opted to put up a tent in the rain, in the woods, in the dark. I wonder how that went?
No pictures to share on where I spent the night, because it would make me look like a bum! :-)
What I like to do if camping (or sleeping rough!!) is to go in to a nice looking hotel for breakfast. So that's what I did today. I think it's a great strategy. They've always been very nice even when I come in dripping wet. And even in very nice establishments the prices are usually reasonable, probably because they're not really set up to do just breakfasts. So for 14 Euro I was able to partake of a very nice breakfast buffet, several cups of coffee and use the WiFi. Not bad I think! You'd pay around that much for a hot dog and a coffee at the gas station!
Crossed the Arctic Circle again but this time heading down south. I didn't take any pictures because I was in low cloud and rain the whole way. Not nice!
I stopped at a camping site just outside of Trondheim and rented a hut. Nice to freshen up and have a hot shower. Tomorrow heading further south to Lillehamer
The bike's been performing like a champ and never missed a beat, even in all that rain. Must be due to my meticulous preparation! :-)
Only a couple of new pics in the album today due to weather. A couple of breakfast shots and the Italian espresso, :-)
https://www.flickr.com/gp/125498347@N05/f1K3vU
Oh, and this one which I think is pretty cool.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/28937926690_744f755973.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/L69rqw)Stelvio Red by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/L69rqw)
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BTW, it's 12 k east of Svolvaer on the right
Hi Huzo, thanks very much for going to the trouble of contracting the campsite. Actually though, I went all the way to the south of the islands and crossed back to the mainland. But I appreciate your help!
John
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- VERY like the north west of Scotland -
Jerry
I know what you mean Jerry. But the scale is a bit different.
I looked at my GPS this morning and it said "take the second exit out of the roundabout in 268km" :grin:
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You're moving fast, John! I didn't think it was possible to ride 1,000 km in one day in Norway.
No speeding tickets yet?
I'll be in Sandefjord for the next days, but without a motorbike. If you're heading this way, let me know if you have time for a coffee or need a simple place to spend the night.
Your poems are great!
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John,
Thanks very much for taking the time to stop and take pictures and then posting them with your excellent write-up. I'm enjoying your trip, although, not as much as you are. Safe travels. :thumb: :cool: :boozing:
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You're moving fast, John! I didn't think it was possible to ride 1,000 km in one day in Norway.
No speeding tickets yet?
I'll be in Sandefjord for the next days, but without a motorbike. If you're heading this way, let me know if you have time for a coffee or need a simple place to spend the night.
Your poems are great!
Talking of your poems .. I got the reference to Richard Thompson's '1952 Vincent Black Lightning' but what were the others?
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I'll be in Sandefjord for the next days, but without a motorbike. If you're heading this way, let me know if you have time for a coffee or need a simple place to spend the night.
Your poems are great!
Cool. I will probably pass through there Saturday morning. I need to be in Kristiansand just after midday. I'll text you this evening!
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Talking of your poems .. I got the reference to Richard Thompson's '1952 Vincent Black Lightning' but what were the others?
Oh, I didn't want to create the impression that these are my poems. They're just clips out of songs where I changed some of the words to have more Guzzi or Norway relevance.
I won't tell you the songs though! :-). You'll have to puzzle that it! :popcorn:
Here's a nice modified picture that I got mailed back to me. This is the one of Sakrisoy on the Lofoten islands that I took a couple of days back.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8170/29203781776_3d4b77c655.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LuD1SU)Sakrisoy 2 by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/LuD1SU)
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"The rain was un-stoppable
It was always cold, no sunshine
"There's something good waitin' down this road
I'm pickin' up whatever's mine"
'Yep, like Tom said!'
Runnin down a dream indeed!
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"I said, "Look out, boys, I've got a license to fly!"
Hot Rod Lincoln :thumb:
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That's a good start! :grin:
2 correct!
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"Yeah, heard that Guzzi drumming all down the line.
Oh, heard the wires a humming all down the line.
We're gonna open up the throttle yeah.
All down the line
We're gonna bust another bottle, yeah.
All down the line"
Slept a little longer today and it was already 10:00 by the time I got on the road. I stayed just north of Trondheim and had to pass by the town heading south. It may be a nice place, I don't know. Just passing through. And it isn't great biking country. But a little further south and it starts to get interesting again.
My first planned stop was Lillehammer where the 94 winter Olympics were held. That's a good indication that I'm heading for hilly and curvy country, and that's just what it is. Climbing up, the countryside starts turning more stark and dramatic and it looks suddenly more like the North again. Unfortunately it was raining. In fact, it was a very interesting combination of weather! Strong winds (I could hardly stand straight when getting off the bike), temperatures down to 8 degrees, low clouds making visibility poor, plus torrential rain. Cars were pulling over and stopping it was that heavy. But I had a schedule to keep so I pressed on. The roads were really wonderful though.
But I did have one scary moment. Approaching a corner I could suddenly smell something familiar. Just as I realized it was the smell of gear oil, I rounded the corner to see the road covered in rainbow colors! Don't touch anything, slowly roll off the throttle and hope for the best. A puckering moment, but all went well!
Came down into Lillehammer and suddenly the sky was blue, temperature was 20 degrees and people were walking around in t shirts and shorts. I stood there dripping rain water.
Back on the road, and things are starting to look a bit more urban the closer I get to Oslo. Skirted the city and found a hotel further west. Just 200 km short of Kristiansand now where I catch the ferry back to Denmark tomorrow.
Here's a list of all the things that have gone wrong with the bike so far:
..
PS: I put some more pictures in the album
https://www.flickr.com/gp/125498347@N05/X3mU25
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Stones - All Down The Line.
They're damn good photo's by the way.
Jug
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"Yeah, heard that Guzzi drumming all down the line.
Oh, heard the wires a humming all down the line.
We're gonna open up the throttle yeah.
All down the line
We're gonna bust another bottle, yeah.
All down the line"
Yes, but can you play it in open G with a 5 string like Keef?
Did you ever make it through the little hamlet of Froysnes?
Thanks for this - it's great that you've shared your trek.
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Yes, but can you play it in open G with a 5 string like Keef?
Did you ever make it through the little hamlet of Froysnes?
Thanks for this - it's great that you've shared your trek.
Nic, I messed up! I'm sorry! Before I left on this trip I tried to find Froysnes in Google and in the map I have, with no success. I thought maybe the spelling was wrong. But when I read your message earlier today when I was on the Ferry, I keyed it into the app version of Google Maps and lo and behold it came up with "Oystein Froysnes". It seems to be a very small place, but I must have ridden through it on last Sunday morning. But I didn't know and didn't take any pictures.
Maybe Pebra (who I met this morning) can take a photo the next time he rides that way?
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"Flow river flow, let your waters wash down
Take me from this road to some other town"
Spent the night in a very pleasant hotel in Sandefjord. After a good breakfast I was ready to head off to the ferry.
Pebra from the WG board came over to the hotel to meet up and it was nice to spend time talking about all sorts of stuff, including of course Norway and Guzzi. It's great to put faces to names :-)
The road down to Kristiansand isn't very exciting and had quite a number of speed cameras. But the weather was perfect and I just cruised down the 200km to make the ferry with plenty of time to spare.
I've developed a new tactic for talking to GS owners! You can probably imagine there were hundreds of them in Norway, mostly kitted out with the full Touratech kit. When they see the Guzzi they usually say "Oh, a Moto Guzzi. You don't see many of those. Are you happy with it? (Meaning = surely you have a lot of problems!). If I say I'm happy, then the direct question about reliability usually comes. So when I arrived at the ferry and parked behind a group of GS, I decided to be proactive! So I asked if they were happy and if they had any problems yet! It was quite amusing to turn the tables :-)
When the ferry docked in Denmark it was just a matter of cruising down the motorway for 550km until I was home. I've leaned to appreciate the Kaoko cruise control. When I first tried it I didn't really get it and I thought it was a waste of money. But when you get used to it, you start to appreciate it. It isn't a cruise control of course, it's just a throttle lock, but it takes a lot of the stress out of the long haul stuff. Coming down through Denmark and northern Germany, I just locked it at 4,500 rpm, grabbed the bars close to the risers like a racing bicycle, and tucked down behind the screen. Really good way to cover miles.
So now I'm home, with just over 5,000km more on the clock vs last week and a lot of impressions in my head. I really enjoyed it, despite the occasional "shower", and the Stelvio behaved perfectly. I know I didn't write extensively or take a lot of pictures, but I hope you all could get some impressions of this beautiful country. It's my favorite riding destination.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8098/28986627680_a372ee88f4_z.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/Las3wL)Road tested by -Xlratr!- (https://flic.kr/p/Las3wL)
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Nic, I messed up! I'm sorry! Before I left on this trip I tried to find Froysnes in Google and in the map I have, with no success. I thought maybe the spelling was wrong. But when I read your message earlier today when I was on the Ferry, I keyed it into the app version of Google Maps and lo and behold it came up with "Oystein Froysnes". It seems to be a very small place, but I must have ridden through it on last Sunday morning. But I didn't know and didn't take any pictures.
Maybe Pebra (who I met this morning) can take a photo the next time he rides that way?
Ha, no worries at all! I'll just associate that photo of the rainbow with the village.
Any interesting Byrds up there?
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Any interesting Byrds up there?
Oh yes! Roger that! :grin:
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John,
Glad you made it back safe - great adventure & great pictures
You're right about the scale of things compared to other places in Europe.
If ever you fancy a trip over in Scotland - there's a well publicised one called the NC500 which takes you on a 500 mile round the top, mostly west, coast of Scotland. I understand it's been busy this summer because it featured in"Top Gear" - but it'll return to it's normal, sleepy, self. I've travelled parts of it and it's breathtaking.
I'm going home to Scotland from France with my Stelvio next month and am going to try and fit it in with my brother before the snow starts.
I'll let y'all know how it goes.
Jerry
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Frøysnes
2 pics from google streetwiev...
(http://thumb.ibb.co/fthwyv/Screenshot_2016_08_17_23_09_50.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fthwyv)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/gnUyBF/Screenshot_2016_08_17_23_11_49.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gnUyBF)
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I've a mind to take a trip through Norway just staying in the camping huts. One day! My job has been abolished and there is a 66% chance I wont have a job at the same salary come November so everything longer term is on hold.
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The Beauty and the Beast...... :wink:
We had a chat over breakfast in Sandefjord on the day he left the country.
I still can't fathom how he can ride 1,000 km in one day on Norwegian roads...... Speed limit 80 kmph in some Places, but most of the time you can't do 80! EDIT: and that's not because of the speed limit!
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8288/29010019920_388c5569bb_c.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/LcvWef) (https://flic.kr/p/LcvWef)
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Fr�ysnes
2 pics from google streetwiev...
(http://thumb.ibb.co/fthwyv/Screenshot_2016_08_17_23_09_50.jpg) (http://ibb.co/fthwyv)
(http://thumb.ibb.co/gnUyBF/Screenshot_2016_08_17_23_11_49.jpg) (http://ibb.co/gnUyBF)
Thank you! : )
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The Beauty and the Beast...... :wink:
We had a chat over breakfast in Sandefjord on the day he left the country.
I still can't fathom how he can ride 1,000 km in one day on Norwegian roads...... Speed limit 80 kmph in some Places, but most of the time you can't do 80! EDIT: and that's not because of the speed limit!
Thanks Pebra! :grin:. It was great to meet up, thanks for coming out to see me.
Well, the total trip was 5,013 km according to my GPS, but not a bad average per day I think, considering that on some days I only managed 400 to 500. But the 1,000 day was a long one, starting very early and ending at 2200, just in time to get a hut. The Stelvio has a big tank!
Is the speed limit 80??? :bike-037:
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Thanks Pebra! :grin:. It was great to meet up, thanks for coming out to see me.
Well, the total trip was 5,013 km according to my GPS, but not a bad average per day I think, considering that on some days I only managed 400 to 500. But the 1,000 day was a long one, starting very early and ending at 2200, just in time to get a hut. The Stelvio has a big tank!
Is the speed limit 80??? :bike-037:
The final 200 seems a long way doesn't it...
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Is the speed limit 80??? :bike-037:
:thewife: I hope you're pulling my leg!
Getting caught is costly, particularily in slow zones.
On secondary roads on the west coast I find the road engineers must have a sense of humour - there are signs for speed limits 50 kph (urbanisations) and 80 kph, but the roads are so twisty and narrow that you're not able to drive at 50 anywhere.
Same goes for signs indicating turns in the road and narrower road ahead - why put up signs when you're more than aware that you're already been driving on a twisty and narrow road! :tongue:
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"Pulled out of Hamburg rolling up the eastern seaboard..."
Hamburg NY is about 3 hours northeast of Pittsburgh PA you know.