hi all,

i'm planning on riding up to Nordkapp (the northern most point in mainland europe) in late july. If anyone fancies riding up with me drop me a line. Should take about 3-3.5 weeks of leisurely riding.

I did this in Feb '07 and it was amazing!

Enjoy it!

Went up there last year - had a fantastic time - you'll love it.

Went solo BTW so if no-one replies, don't let it put you off.

Pics are here if you want something to whet your appetite.

Flickr: Triumph trips' Photostream

Cheers,

Indoors.

This trip is certainly on our must do list.
Cracking fotos Indoors.

Those bars on the Bonnie look a bit high and wide. I really like them.
They're not standard are they?

__________________
My mind to me a kingdom is.

Did this in 2000. It's fantastic.

If no one else has suggested it, think about new tyres. Roads designed to take months under the snow cause more wear than the UK variety. Don't ask how I know , lets just say there is a very nice BMW dealer in Trondheim.

Andy

Funny, I know that very BMW dealer! They tried to convince me of the inferiority of my KLR to the 1200GS they had on the floor....but gave me reasonably prompt service before sending me on my way north last September.

FWIW, I found parts readily available on overnight delivery from Oslo at about twice to three times the price in the USA. This fact alone would recommend getting well ahead of the curve on maintenance before entering Norway. I was told that tires and other such are best purchased in Germany, and that many Norwegian and Swedish bikers make regular buying trips there.

The journey itself is as spectacular as advertised. Don't miss the Lofoten Islands, and don't assume lots of high-mileage days: speed limits are low, and fines are reportedly draconian. OTOH, Norwegians seem quite content to toodle along at precisely the speed limit for hundreds of kilometers without making any attempts to speed up or overtake. This tends to bunch them up, allowing easy passing once you conquer your fear of radar traps.

I would add just one caution: the caribou/reindeer herds in the north are the precise color of tundra rocks and sea fog. If the fog rolls in, dress warmly and find some sort of car or truck to follow.

Safe journeys,

Mark

Thanks for the kind comment about the pics, roxxo. It was a hassle to stop sometimes and get the camera out but I'm glad I did.

The Bonnie bars are standard as far as I know, it's quite a comfortable riding position but I wouldn't necessarily recommend the screen or rack and panniers frames I fitted.

TWB's comment about tyres is useful, the tread on my back tyre was pretty low by the time I got home and rutted Norwegian back roads broke the rack and pannier frames (the bungees weren't just for show then).

I wouldn't worry too much about spares, etc., Norway isn't the back of beyond. I kept an eye on the Scottoiler, less of an eye on the oil consumption and only pumped up the tyres once (but I did have an RAC card in my wallet just in case).

Indoors.

Hi, I did this trip 2008. Two up with my 14 year old daughter. Its a brilliant trip. it took us 17 days total up and down. Hope your aware theres no direct ferries now from UK which will add a couple of days riding on.

Nige what did it roughly cost you to do this trip ?

Been thinking about it for a while now but never really got round to planning it. Any advice & pointers will be welcomed

__________________
http://stevetongue.co.uk

greetings markharf,
I think we met on the ferry from bodo to moskenes in the lofoten islands last september
certainly the islands were the highlight for me together with the fantastic weather. I based myself in henningsvaer in a fishermans hut. then moved up the coast to the nordkapp.your right about the reindeer and elk who sometimes have a fondness for parking themselves in the tunnels so keep a watch out guys but like some of the other members say its a great trip to do and camping should certainly be an option in july as the short summer gets the most visitors

Hi, we all seem to be off-topic here so I'll just add my 2p.

I did this trip last summer and it was the best I've done so far. 20 days, 11,000 KM. I went on my own but met a friendly Italian on a Triumph along the way (on the boat from Bodo to Lofoten) and we rode together till Nordkapp.

I second the comment about the tyres, mine were almost trapezoid but the time I got back.

For the route and some other pictures check out the report at http://www.moto.gr/forums/showthread.php?threadid=66663 - the writeup is in Greek but the map etc should give you a rough idea of what I did.

Servicing/workshops in Norway were even more expensive than London... I had to change oil and get a replacement indicator (managed to drop the bike and break one of 'em) in Bergen and I had a very rough time convincing myself that I wasn't being taken for a ride.

Extremely kind/helpful people, when I needed help it was all there and for free.

The multiple mandatory ferry rides along the coast are excellent opportunities to meet people, so don't worry about going alone, you are bound to meet someone along the way.

If I may suggest a particularly wonderful piece of road that I think you will enjoy riding: The summer-only 520 (http://wikimapia.org/beta/#lat=59.80...12&l=0&m=h&v=1) from Novlefossen to Haugesund.

Have a great time & don't hesitate to ask anything about the trip!

__________________
2011-2012: 5 months in Chile
2009-2010: 5 months in Turkey-Iran-Pakistan-India

Hey Max.

I will go from Denmark around July 20th up through Norway, going to Lofoten and then Nordkapp. I will go via Finland and Russia home. A friend of mine will ride with me to about Lofoten and then head home.
I don't have much of a plan about when to be where and hope to do a lot of camping and cooking. If possible, I will stay off main roads and mybe do a bit of off road when my buddy has left me. The tarmac seems to be bad for your tires so I dont see why I should ride it all the time. My bike is a 95 Transalp and I have previously done a smaller trip in the Italian alps. Try Ryansrejse.dk and click on "Billeder" I haven't got much text yet, but some of the pictures are pretty good.
if you want to contact me, write to ryan_tjelle@hotmail.com

Greetings
Ryan the Dane

__________________

thanks chaps, i've finally got my ferry booked and ordered a new small lightweight tent. can't wait to head out.

just need to sort out comms and we'll be ready to roll

did that trip in 07 mate, some of the best roads you will ever ride, especially through the mountains.
make sure you go to the fish market in Bergen, free samples=free breakfast

a great piece of advice, shredded my back tyre miles from nowhere. KTM dealers a little harder to come by im afraid