guzziriders.org - moto guzzi forum Homepage
Forum Home Forum Home > Out and About > Guzzisti go touring
  New Posts New Posts RSS Feed - Arctic Circle Ride
  FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Events   Register Register  Login Login

Arctic Circle Ride

 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
Author
Message
Daveb500 View Drop Down
Falcone
Falcone
Avatar

Joined: 14 May 2014
Location: Leeds
Status: Offline
Points: 69
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Daveb500 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Arctic Circle Ride
    Posted: 14 May 2014 at 10:47
Well just to say it looks like the ride is on up to the Arctic circle in Norway during August.
will take the ferry to Denmark from Harwich, then the shorter Denmark crossing to Norway. followed by the long ride up the North Sea coast line, taking in the sights and a few more ferry crossings before heading to the North and then back through Sweden.
Riding for Life
Back to Top
Jim Mac View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 14 May 2014
Location: Edinburgh
Status: Offline
Points: 3202
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Jim Mac Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2014 at 11:03
I priced this up for a group of us about 6 years ago - cost made my eyes water even then and meant most pulled out.  Getting from Scotland across the water was a mortgage and trip to Hull as next nearest port added a day on either side.  pity, it would have been good. 
I contacted the Norway MG club for advice and they gave me cheap accommodation addresses etc and also pointed out that speed limits at usually 50 are heavily enforced
V85 TT Trzvel    BMW R45
Too old to die young
Back to Top
Daveb500 View Drop Down
Falcone
Falcone
Avatar

Joined: 14 May 2014
Location: Leeds
Status: Offline
Points: 69
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Daveb500 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 May 2014 at 18:38
The ferry charges from Harwich arnt too bad, problem is its a days ride down for me. But worth it. The ferry from Hull to Rotterdam is expensive and it adds a couple of days ride through Holland and Germany.
At least limiting the speed to 50 helps to keep the fuel costs down, thats also expensive in Norway.
I watch a video made by a German woman who did the tour on her own she even took all her own food for 14 days with her on her BMW.
Riding for Life
Back to Top
Gianni View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 16 May 2014
Location: Muswell Hill
Status: Offline
Points: 676
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gianni Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2014 at 12:27
I tried this in 2009. Ferry to Denmark then across to Sweden and headed north aiming to get to the Arctic Circle around midsummer's day for the 24 hour sunlight. I had to abandon the trip halfway up through Sweden because it was so hot. The temperatures were over 30C during the day and it was just tiring me out so I couldn't keep the mileage up. Not helped as I had all my winter riding gear with me so I was basically a mobile sauna. Instead we re-routed into Norway and explored back down to Oslo.

Norway is incredibly beautiful but it can take ages to make progress. Some roads turn and twist doubling the actual distance travelled. It is not unusual to have to wait an hour or two on narrow passes for the traffic in the other direction to come through, especially if roadworks are ongoing. But the speed limits are the big issue. They are mostly ~45mph/~75kph and they are obeyed so it is again hard to make progress as long convoys can form on the roads; its not just a question of blasting past. The many ferries are very efficient and frequent and not expensive.

Norwegian hotels, food and beer are very expensive (for beer think up to 7 times UK prices) so if you have access to cheap alternatives go for it. The people are amongst the friendliest in Europe; if you meet a biker at a petrol station, expect to chat for at least half an hour and in bars/cafes they often invite you to join them. All great of course but again if you are trying to make progress...

But Norway is a brilliant place to ride and I thoroughly recommend it for a grand tour - enjoy.
Back to Top
Daveb500 View Drop Down
Falcone
Falcone
Avatar

Joined: 14 May 2014
Location: Leeds
Status: Offline
Points: 69
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Daveb500 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2014 at 12:53
Thanks for the words Gianni.
The plan is to get the Ferry in to Kirstansand on the southern tip of Norway and ride up the west coast. That will be slow, so will just have to adjust the route as we go, route plan says 7 days, but going to allow 12 days giving a bit of flex.
Riding for Life
Back to Top
Gianni View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 16 May 2014
Location: Muswell Hill
Status: Offline
Points: 676
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Gianni Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2014 at 14:22
I've dug out my records from a previous trip.

The Bergen Travel Hotel (in Bergen) is (or was - it is still advertised) a good cheap hotel/pub in Vestre Torggaten. Find it at the bottom of the steps up to the Johanneskirken (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_John%27s_Church,_Bergen)

Try and cross the Hardangervidda (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hardangervidda) if you can - stunning stuff but a bit out of your way. You can head north on the route 9 but you would have to go east to pick up the road over the top. I know from experience that one can do Bergen to Oslo in a long day but two is better; there are nice hotels in the ski resort on the top (Geilo).
Back to Top
Brian UK View Drop Down
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 13 May 2014
Location: Surrey
Status: Offline
Points: 17641
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Brian UK Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 May 2014 at 17:33
I remember the Hardangervidda from a trip back in the late 60s, 12 ft snow walls either side, and the road up from the Bergen end was atrocious. But stunning, certainly.
Brian.

Better 5 minutes late in this world than years early in the next.
Back to Top
David Nimrod View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 16 Apr 2015
Location: North Lincs.
Status: Offline
Points: 732
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David Nimrod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Apr 2015 at 09:30
So glad I did the ride to Nordkapp back in 1984 (and then again in 1990).

I don't think I could stomach the high costs, speed limits, and crowds now.

Even then it was very expensive: I wild camped, or used cheap campsites.

Carried lots of pasta, rice, tuna. Didn't drink booze, & just scraped by really.

Back then there was more dirt roads, less ferries, so more miles around the Fjords.

But it was good fun Thumbs Up

Here in '84 on a '79 BMW R100RT




Edited by David Nimrod - 22 Apr 2015 at 09:32

BMW R1150GS (2003)
Harley FXST (1989)
Harley FLHS (1988)

Back to Top
Dave P. View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 12 Jan 2015
Location: Northants
Status: Offline
Points: 5573
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dave P. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Apr 2015 at 11:20
Just started organizing this summers European trip.The old girl has hip issues and can't ride long distances any more.Plus she doesn't enjoy the ride down through eastern France.So,I'll ride the old V7 Special loop job
Down to Sicily and pick her up at the airport.Then a gentle tour of Sicily
and she'll fly home.
I've noticed that a line on the map from Daventry to Palermo goes so close to the Guzzi factory and museum that it would be criminal not to pay a call.
I quite fancy riding down the West coast of Italy.I've only ever ridden up and down the center.Has anyone any comments about that route?I just wonder if the tourist traps in the West make for a frustrating journey.
TO LIVE OUTSIDE THE LAW YOU MUST BE HONEST.

1971 V7 Special. 1972 850GT.
1970 T120 Bonnie. 2009 500 Bullet.
Back to Top
Dave P. View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 12 Jan 2015
Location: Northants
Status: Offline
Points: 5573
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dave P. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 22 Apr 2015 at 11:26
Sorry,the above should have been a new thread.
TO LIVE OUTSIDE THE LAW YOU MUST BE HONEST.

1971 V7 Special. 1972 850GT.
1970 T120 Bonnie. 2009 500 Bullet.
Back to Top
GU221 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2014
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 367
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote GU221 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2015 at 05:00
Good to see this thread revived. The ride to Nordkapp is one of the finest rides in the world, and you guys have it on your doorstep.
 
I did it in 2010. Luckily the Aus dollar was very high, and it was affordable then. Its a different story now, as we are back to banana republic status. I was hoping for another assault on it this year, but can't afford it.
 
Costs can be cut a lot, mind. Wild camping is easy enough, but "hytte" those huts they have everywhere are not expensive if you have 4 people travelling together. There is only one way to do it, which is up the west coast, fjords and mountains galore. I was astounded how many European bikers do the trip and simply ride up through Sweden. Its a quick trip that way, but completely misses the real beauty of the area.
 
 
 
 


Edited by GU221 - 23 Apr 2015 at 05:01
Bellagio 940T
T3
Back to Top
David Nimrod View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 16 Apr 2015
Location: North Lincs.
Status: Offline
Points: 732
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote David Nimrod Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2015 at 08:32
Originally posted by GU221 GU221 wrote:


There is only one way to do it, which is up the west coast, fjords and mountains galore. I was astounded how many European bikers do the trip and simply ride up through Sweden. Its a quick trip that way, but completely misses the real beauty of the area.
 

Agreed...

The E6 is the road to use, with a diversion into the Lofoten Islands on the way.

Nordkapp itself was a let down, being a car park full of coaches, disgorging witless tourists.

At least it was when I was last there... Tongue



BMW R1150GS (2003)
Harley FXST (1989)
Harley FLHS (1988)

Back to Top
GU221 View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 29 Nov 2014
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 367
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (1) Thanks(1)   Quote GU221 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2015 at 11:54
The Lofotens are breathtaking too.
 
Hans Petter has started a new site.
 
 
Yes, the Cape was just a car park. Summer is midnight sun time. Cruise ships disgorge passengers into buses to see the sun, if the weather obliges.
Bellagio 940T
T3
Back to Top
ranton_rambler View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 13 Feb 2015
Location: Stafford
Status: Offline
Points: 1147
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ranton_rambler Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2015 at 12:45
I thought I was being brave planning to take my loop down to Mandello, but Sicily is about twice as far. Would be interested to hear how you get on. How long are you planning for the trip? I was thinking 3 days to Mandello (from Stafford), staying off motorways.
Ian
Back to Top
Dave P. View Drop Down
Senior Member
Senior Member
Avatar

Joined: 12 Jan 2015
Location: Northants
Status: Offline
Points: 5573
Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dave P. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Apr 2015 at 13:41
Originally posted by ranton_rambler ranton_rambler wrote:


I thought I was being brave planning to take my loop down to Mandello, but Sicily is about twice as far. Would be interested to hear how you get on. How long are you planning for the trip? I was thinking 3 days to Mandello (from Stafford), staying off motorways.
Ian

Once again,sorry for hijacking this thread.(Can this be moved?)
Sicily;This is going to be a major trip for us.As we are retired time constraints don't apply like they once did.I've got about ten days to get down there allowing a relaxed pace and time to look around.As I said previously I shall be doing the majority of the mileage on my own hence longer days in the saddle if I so choose.
As far as reporting on the trip is concerned you'll have to wait until
October for that because I'm leaving in mid September and the trip will last about a month.
Good luck with your trip.When do you go and which loop are you riding?
And please post your trip report (sounds a bit official that)when you get back.Three days to Mandello? I'd want four.
TO LIVE OUTSIDE THE LAW YOU MUST BE HONEST.

1971 V7 Special. 1972 850GT.
1970 T120 Bonnie. 2009 500 Bullet.
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply Page  12>
  Share Topic   

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.03
Copyright ©2001-2019 Web Wiz Ltd.

This page was generated in 0.094 seconds.