excellent news, cheers for that. didnt fancy ice or snow on a gsx1400!

Oh, and be aware that the Norwegian National Bike Rally ("Norgestreffet") is held in the Lofoten islands from 10 to 13 July 2008. Probably the most beautiful place in Norway where you can join some 2000-3000 fellow motorcyclists to have a great time. The actual place is called Jennestad, some km's north of the town Sortland. More info here (Norwegian only, but you might get the picture ;-)

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HansP
All you wanted to know
about riding in Norway

I've heard the Lofotons are beautiful, but after 3 days rain and low cloud we never got to see it :-(

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http://www.ytc1.co.uk

Yes, well, sometimes you do - sometimes you don't. The weather is sort of unpredictable. One year the Lofoten was warmer than Ghana. The other year it was pouring down all summer... Shouldn't prevent you from visiting though. As my grandma used to say when I whined about the rain: You ain't made of sugar, are you?

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HansP
All you wanted to know
about riding in Norway

to which i'd reply 'nope ive always been bitter'

(badabum!)

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HansP
All you wanted to know
about riding in Norway

Sorry to Hijack but I dont post enough to PM and you dont get points for reading through all the fantastic info on HU.

Anyhoo FAO INDU RE the 'Norgestreffet', I would be very keen on any additional info/suggestions you may have regarding attending. I have been to Norway twice now (once to Nordkapp) and am aware of how beautiful the country is (very BTW) but my travels through Scandinavia have been fast paced and left little time to meet the people

I intend to seek solace to this omission by returning next year with a vague plan that starts with a midsommer over in Oland, Sverige and then going with some UK friends around Norway before leaving them and heading north again before again leaving for Russia, Mongolia etc via Finland. the Norgestreffet is timed perfectly for a stopover, so what might one expect?, be great to hook up with some people further south and ride up together.


regarding the original post, a law should be passed that requires all Motorcyclists to visit Norway before they die, If you are used to UK fuel prices the biggest cost isn't a shock. usng the SPAR type shops you can get by fairly cheaply foodwise and I echo what others have said about the Huts and STF cabins being a good choice given the sometimes wet weather in summer. Had some lovely Salmon followed by Reindeer main in Oslo with a . that cost £40 but was a treat having popped across that afternoon from Bergen, I spent less than £10 on food on other days by filling up on the hearty and complimentary breakfasts in the Youth Hostels.

I found a nice quiet campsite with it's own beach on the East coast of Oland. It was signed off the secondary road that runs the length of the east coast and was about 3km down a side road. I think it was near Brunnerby. The west coast has a more touristy feel with big commercial type sites. The lovely windmills may give you an idea of the weather to expect. Thanks for reminding me, good days.

The Norgestreffet usually see some 2500 attendees, sometimes more, sometimes less. As the rally is north of the Polar Circle, it is held in July (as opposed to end May/early June if south of the PC). This is the time of year when Norwegians go on holiday, so we might see a lot of motorcyclists showing up this year. Being in the magnificent Vesteraalen/Lofoten area, the attendance might be even higher.

Just keep in touch if you want to hook up with others. We are a bunch leaving from Oslo a couple of days ahead of the event. And you'll meet hundreds, if not thousands, of motorcyclists heading up north if you choose to ride by yourself. I can almost guarantee that they'll be more than happy to let you hook up.

PM me for contact details.

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HansP
All you wanted to know
about riding in Norway

Hi Hooli, June July will be ice free. My Monster was fine. Severe gales and rain were worst problem. Told some fellow travellers about the poor weather and they went anyway the following year... Guess what? It was hot and sunny. Weather just as fickle as in good old Blighty. Go for it, even if the weather is bad, the ride in is splendid. Gill

Thanks for this advice. You have made me aware of the PM facility. Most important. It seems i am more worldly wise wise to life on the road rather than this email/ internet thing!

Hi Gill. Looking at your post count you may need to have posted more than 10 times to have the PM facility (from memory) so nearly there.

Thanks Indu, will do, need 8 posts before I can use PM so will come back to you nearer the time, cant wait to go back to Norway