Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Norway: earliest possible date to ride to Nordkapp? Norway: earliest possible date to ride to Nordkapp?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 13 Nov 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: london
Posts: 18
Norway: earliest possible date to ride to Nordkapp?
Hey all,

It'll be me on a Suzuki DR350 (I'll be getting spiked tyres if necc), and my mate in his landrover. We have three weeks to ride from the UK to Nordkapp and back. When would be the earliest time next year that this trip would be viable without my friend having to bring me back in an icy coffin!!

Cheers,

Neil
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 13 Nov 2007
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
Where do you start?
Oslo-Nordkapp-Oslo is more then 4000 kms, so this means more then 200 kms every day and that’s pretty hard in wintertime.

It has been done in January, but June would be my favourite.

Here is a winter-story that involves Sweden: High Performance Riding


I think some of the roads are closed during the winter.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 13 Nov 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
How about February? People have done it on two and three wheeled bikes all year round. The road up to Nordkapp plateau is closed during the winter, but occasionally they plough the road up to accomodate the odd party of tourists who wants to see the total absence of the Midnight Sun (it's dark all day during winter up there, at least until end January). But it's cold though...

I'd say end May might be feasible. June better.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Nov 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: london
Posts: 18
"Here is a winter-story that involves Sweden: High Performance Riding"

Thats very useful - thanks.

We'll be getting a ferry to either Bergen or Stavanger...... thanks for the input, keep it coming!
Last edited by pr0ne; 13 Nov 2007 at 17:31.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13 Nov 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
I know that a group of Oslo bikers did it to be there at midnight 31st Dec 1999 to be the first to visit the Norddcap in the new millennium. But they're tougher than us poor mortals. I would imagine that the E6 will be open and passable but the windchill over the plateau will cut you in half. Good luck and I look forward to your ride report. Plenty of pics please.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Nov 2007
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: N.Yorkshire
Posts: 336
depending on the kit, it is certainly feasible in the middle of winter. the serious bikers in norway use single cylinder air cooled machines with spike tyres, stick to the interior snow/ice roads, and if you don't have any serious whiteout conditions, it is doable. However, be prepared for riding at -40c, serious hypothermia if you aren't prepared.
the coastal roads are far warmer, the temp is influenced by the warmer sea currents, and is wetter and warmer, but, the roads are more risky due to the black ice.
A group from the netherlands went up in winter
Primus-borealis 2007
__________________
Harley Davidsons,
The most effective way of turning petrol into noise without the side-effect of horsepower
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 13 Nov 2007
AliBaba's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe C90 View Post
the serious bikers in norway use single cylinder air cooled machines with spike tyres,

Hmmm....




Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 13 Nov 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
Hmm... (part II)



But I suppose these guys aren't die-hard winter riders - or at least not with a pristine version of a Triumph Rickman Matisse or speed four. Perhaps they have other bikes - say air cooled thumpers or sidcar rigs, as most have - as their regular winter hacks?
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 14 Nov 2007
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: N.Yorkshire
Posts: 336
Hi Hans!
You are correct in pointing out that just about any bike can be used in winter! although if I was going to the really cold middle of scandanavia, I wouldn't like to rely on a 4 cylinder battery reliant, high performance watercooled motor, although there are plenty of nutters over there that do!

Am hoping to be back in scandanavia on a shed of a transalp sidecar outfit this winter, 2 wheels not being an option due to a gammy knee.

Are you playing out?
__________________
Harley Davidsons,
The most effective way of turning petrol into noise without the side-effect of horsepower
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 15 Nov 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe C90 View Post
Am hoping to be back in scandanavia on a shed of a transalp sidecar outfit this winter, 2 wheels not being an option due to a gammy knee.

Are you playing out?
No, not at the moment. I've put the Guzzi under a major makeover, so it'll not be up running this winter. I'm looking for a winter hack, probably a Transalp or maybe an old Ural (again) or Dnepr or whatever. We'll see what I end up with. I'd really like to see your 'alp sidecar rig, though, so you MUST let me know if/when you're passing this neighbourhood!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 15 Nov 2007
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: N.Yorkshire
Posts: 336
Howdo!
Will send you a picture at some point.
Am going to be limited in what i can do this winter due to having had my knee reconstructed following a self inflicted racing incident, (basically I looped a c90 whilst in a 6 hour supermotoped race).
so I hope to retrace my steps up the fjords to the rally I went to this year, on the different site. I don't think it would be safe to go into the colder interior.
Also the outfit isn't really up to it. It needs a thorough rebuild before a big trip in 2009, most likely the snowdogs in russia. (samora park). That will be a serious trip, you interested???
__________________
Harley Davidsons,
The most effective way of turning petrol into noise without the side-effect of horsepower
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 16 Nov 2007
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 521
Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe C90 View Post
Howdo!
Will send you a picture at some point.
Am going to be limited in what i can do this winter due to having had my knee reconstructed following a self inflicted racing incident, (basically I looped a c90 whilst in a 6 hour supermotoped race).
so I hope to retrace my steps up the fjords to the rally I went to this year, on the different site. I don't think it would be safe to go into the colder interior.
Also the outfit isn't really up to it. It needs a thorough rebuild before a big trip in 2009, most likely the snowdogs in russia. (samora park). That will be a serious trip, you interested???
Ouch - that knee incident didn't sound nice at all. Let's hope you recover 100 percent!

On your other note: Lessee... Oslo - Samara. That's some 4300 km's one way. Mid winter. Inland Russia. Temperatures might be around -30 centigrades, unless the winds from Siberia makes it cold. Hm. I'm really tempted...
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Dakar Ride for Life 2008 Uncle Dave Make a Difference 0 23 Oct 2007 15:30
Books for and about Motorcycle Travel BklynDakar Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 71 20 Apr 2007 23:45
World-wide "memorial ride" - PLEASE READ ME Photog Rob Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 3 26 Aug 2001 23:47
World-wide "memorial ride" - PLEASE READ ME Photog Rob Travellers Seeking Travellers 1 18 Jul 2001 05:15
Word-wide "memorial ride" - PLEASE READ ME Photog Rob Route Planning 0 18 Jun 2001 04:15

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:32.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top