The Adventure

To The North Cape

Stopping to rest and refuel, now the odyssey revs up for real. I’ll explore the local sights as I tour around Norway’s southern edge.

Following the coastline from west to north, the landscape will change. So, instead of looking at picturesque woodland, I’ll be gazing out over rugged hills and outcrops. Then peaks, valleys, and snow-capped mountains as we follow the Western coast.

Breath-taking and spectacular are the only words to describe the fjords. And I’ll be surrounded by them. Glacial valleys with steep slopes, the sides of which will plunge into crystal waters.

In fact, I’ll be riding over the fjords. Ascending mountain passes before dropping down tortuous serpentine roads with hairpin bends. Then crossing over bridges into isolated fishing villages with brightly painted wooden houses.

As awesome as the scenery gets; I’m not on holiday. And it’s at this precise point that the journey will get difficult. Steep climbs and winding roads mean simple distances will take much longer to reach. Plus, I’ll be much more at the mercy of the elements as I travel further north.

It will demand everything. One mistake could cost me dear as I travel past settlements like Trondheim and Bodo.

Norway is bigger than most people think, and its coastline is well over double the length of the UK. I must get through without delay. All whilst travelling through some of the most challenging terrain in Europe.

It will be an epic test of myself and my machine. But after two thousand miles of Norwegian beauty and panorama, I’ll cross over the Arctic Circle. And now the sun won’t set as I reach the midway point in my journey…the Children of the Earth monument at Europe’s most northern point.

The monument is a symbol of cooperation, friendship, hope, and joy. And this is where I’ll take a moment to mark and celebrate the journey. It’s a massive part of the inspiration for this adventure. Plus, it marks the end of the first part of my travels.

Into the Wilderness

My journey continues, crossing the Arctic Circle into Finland. I’ll ride south through the vast wilderness. Then reach Rovaniemi and the Santa Claus village. This is a year-round tourist attraction featuring Santa & his elves. It also has a fantastic igloo hotel. But I’ll still be camping, though.

Crossing back into Sweden, I’ll be venturing into the unknown. It’s a world of rolling hills, dense forests, and tranquil lakes in the middle of nowhere. And far away from civilisation.

The challenge here will be surviving the clouds of mosquitoes that will try to dine on me every evening. Thankfully, there’s a network of wooden shelters that I’ll sleep in some nights (instead of my tent).

I’ll need to keep an eye out, though. Moose, wolves, and even bears are known to lurk nearby.

Every opportunity will be taken to zig zag this remote part of the country on roads less travelled. I’ll also attempt to follow the topography as I keep one eye on the time.

Approaching Sweden’s south – hopefully not too battered or bruised – I’ll try to take in some sights. I have no strict schedule, but I’d like to meet up with fellow riders.

That said, I have a family to return for. So, it will be a race against the clock towards Malmo and back the way I came.