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Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 17 Jul 2008
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Norway / Sweden

Just got back from a 2 week trip the original plan was to head fro stavanger to Swedish coast to nordkapp and down Norway plans changed after about 4 days when i realized i wouldnt have much time to explore the fjord region becase high milage in these countrys isnt an option most i did was 350 and it was hard work on those roads sweden is like some others on this site have mentioned flat boring full of trees and the roads are designed to send you to sleep but luckily the clever swedish have come up with a very good way to keep you awake they put huge holes and ruts in the road that brake your back and nearly kick you out the saddle and in some stages even removed all the road surface leaving gravel and boulders instead for miles on end bless em
Made it to artic circle in Norway brought a keyring and started to head south the roads here arnt much better but the scenery is a lot better the fyjord area is stunning and i was glad i changed my plans to spend more time here there are so many things to see trollstigen atlantic road etc i didnt go out much at night as it was too exspensive the most i paid for a pint was £9 needless to say i had 1 and retired all in all i loved it but the price of things will stop me returning i just cant afford the place

please exscuse lack of punctuation
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Old 17 Jul 2008
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Norway

Thanks for that... Im wondering where to head these next few weeks and you might have just made my mind up for me. How long did it take to get to the Arctic Circle from Stavanger? What was camping like? Are there many sites or can you wild camp?

I must admit the price put me off slightly... esp as Id be taking a Land Rover not a bike....
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Old 17 Jul 2008
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Interesting. That's what I have planned for next year (4x4 like Runner rather than a bike).

How many hours riding was 350 miles?
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Old 17 Jul 2008
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Took me 5 days to get to artic circle if i was doing it again i really wouldnt bother with sweden but sraight up the e6 there are loads of campsites ranging from £15 to £25 for a tent cabins with 2 bunkbeds in are around £40 but you can wild camp in supermarkets is around uk bar prices give or take i ate from supermarkets too and that was also a fair bit more exspensive you should be ok in the rover on the roads and be able to do more milage if you wanted the most scenic places where Trondheim and below in my opinion if you smoke take that with you cos it aint cheao either it was still worth it tho
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Old 17 Jul 2008
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Norwaaaaaay

Cheers! Fifteen quid for camping? Thats just for you and the bike for one night? Blimey. Ill never moan about the Lakes again.
The Rover's self-supporting - roof tent, stove, shower etc - I will probably wild camp. Did you see anyone doing it? Do you reckon you'd get moved on by the cops?
A friend went up that way - says the police radar traps are very efficient and unmarked!
I was thinking about the Middle East / N Africa but Im not sure I can be bothered with the hassle right now, might head to the Arctic instead. 24 hour daylight I guess at this time of year... did you see the Northern Lights?
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Old 17 Jul 2008
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you can wild camp legally in scandanavia as long as your i think its 150m from a house and yes i saw some doing it on top of mountains in the snow ( sod that ) the northern lights are a winter thing like you said 24 hr sunlight sorry daylight near the artic circle

it took me about 8 - 9 hours to do 350 miles
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Old 17 Jul 2008
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Stupid question - of course you get Northern Lights in the winter *duh*

What are fuel costs like? Did you get insurance ok in the UK?
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Old 17 Jul 2008
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insurance should br covered in your uk insurance
fuel was about £1.50 litre
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Old 17 Jul 2008
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For some strange reason, fuel is cheapest on late Sunday afternoons.
As much a a kroner different.
In Oslo I can see diesel for NOK12.89.
Then during the week it will be NOK14.10 from the same pump.

Don't know why.
Actually, fuel price isn't that big an issue.

The thing in your favour is the speed limits are the slowest in Europe, so expect some good mpg !

I would like to see Nord Kapp in both the height of summer and the depths of winter.
.
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Oslo.
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Old 18 Jul 2008
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Stavanger, Arctic Circle & beyond...

Just back from an awesome trip to Nordkapp! We were averaging about 250 miles a day because of the speed limits and fear of massive on the spot fines.

Top tip - In Statoil fuel stations pay £499 equivalent for a stainless coffee mug then all your coffee is free at any Statoil station. (Fuel's usually cheap too!) Also fuel stations with restaurants were the cheapest places to get a hot meal.

Amazing differences in fuel costs. We saw diesel at 119.0 to 149.0. Best to fill up in larger towns.
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Old 18 Jul 2008
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It's not THAT expensive!

Oops!

I meant £4.99!

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