East Anglia's Children's Hospices(Ride to The Arctic Circle)by Jim TruscottTowards the end of last year, Rob Booth, from Newcastle, enquired in a motorbike forum on the Internet whether anybody could please advise him of the do's and don'ts of riding in Norway. Unable to help on this, he was asked if he would like a riding companion for the trip. He welcomed the suggestion as he had never ridden on "the wrong side of the road". The arrangement was that Rob would do all planning and yours truly would just follow. During early April 07 the trip was being discussed with a neighbour, over a cup of coffee. Dave's four year old grandson sadly suffers from cerebral palsy. He has to spend a great deal of time in the care of East Anglia's Children's Hospice (EACH) in Ipswich. The decision was made to make the ride to Norway something special, and, in so doing, raise some much needed funds for EACH, who provide all their essential services free of any charge. The Nord Kap (most northerly town in Europe) was suggested. After mentioning this to Rob, it was diluted to the Arctic Circle as there would not be enough time available to embark on such an epic journey. Even so, the Arctic Circle would be some challenge. Rob did a grand job organising ferry tickets and route. Whilst waiting to embark, on the dockside in Newcastle, a crowd, pushing canoes on trolleys, arrived. They told us the snows had just started melting and they were off to enjoy the white water rapids. An uneventful 36 hour crossing brought the Princess of Skandanavia into a rainy Bergen. This was no surprise. Bergen has about 265 days of rain a year. Apparently, it is due to the configuration of mountains surrounding the town. Off the ferry and, in a roundabout way, head north on the E16. Pitched tent for the first night near Lærdel, shortly after traveling through a 25km (+/-15 miles) long tunnel. Next day, we were assured the small road to Turtagrø would be open. It was the start of the hair pin bends. Up, up, and up the road climbed. Most of the way was first gear riding with the coolant temperature gauge also creeping up, up and up. There was soon snow by the side of the road. It got deeper and deeper. The narrow road remained clear and dry. Whilst negotiating a steep incline, the back wheel suddenly decided to overtake the front wheel. Instinct took over. The bike was laid down to slide along the ice and imbed itself as far as the headlamp in the snow wall by the side of the road. Everything worked at it should. The fall protector did its job, the tilt cut out switch stopped the engine and the jacket padding prevented bruising, or worse. Robin stopped, got off and started sliding down the slope. He had no option but to ground his bike. It too adopted a horizontal position on the ground. Two bikes and one rider on the ground were far from encouraging.
Eventually the E6 was picked up for the long trek north. Camp sites are plentiful in Norway - until one is needed. After 324 miles a site was found, north of Trondheim, next to a fjord, the main road and a railway line, all squeezed in the narrow valley between the mountains. Next day was through some barren, isolated, scenic country for a further 329 miles to the Arctic Circle. The temperature was over 20 degrees C and snow was all around.
Next day, a westerly route, into the mountains and fjords was taken. Whilst alongside a vehicle crawling up hill behind a tractor, the driver swerved left to pass the tractor. The first known of a collision was the right hand mirror cowling disintegrating. Eventually the vehicle was stopped. The driver was amazed to learn she had hit the bike. A small tell tale maroon indent in her vehicle's paneling gave the game away. Fortunately, the weight of the loaded bike, and rider, withstood the glancing blow. It was possible to stay on two wheels. After she called her son to the scene, and some discussion, she was persuaded to hand over 400Kr to pay for a replacement mirror cowling. Her son was followed home where he kindly carried out a temporary repair.
The weather for the whole trip was good. Only Thursday gave rain. This was, the first of two days spent in Voss. A ride to the popular tourist town of Flåm was made on Thursday. Moose burger was enjoyed for lunch.
The further north one travels in Norway, the lighter it is at night. It never got completely dark. Eye shields, ear plugs, warm woolly hat and sleeping bag liner now belong to the standard camping gear. The crossing back to Newcastle was uneventful - until about two hours before docking. All DFDS guests were thrown out of their cabins. They were sitting around on stairways, the floor, and their luggage, generally littering the ship's communal areas. It probably resembled the Sangatte camp near Calais. There was much discontent on board. On the brighter side, a few passengers reacted favourably to the EACH T-shirt which being worn and kindly contributed to the cause. Thanks to them. For Robin's first overseas trip on his bike, he did exceptionally well - particularly on encounters with the many challenging hazardous hairpin bends. All in all, a very enjoyable, but mentally tiring, week away after a round trip of just under 3000 miles. Thanks to all who have so far helped reach the present wonderful total in excess £900.00 for EACH. It would be a great achievement to bring the final sum to four figures. |
Whilst
struggling to get ship-shape again, a group of German riders appeared at the top
of the hill, on foot.
After taking the obligatory photographs, the return journey south was started. Half an hour or so later a camp site providing
"huts" was stopped at. A
"hut", is a must in Norway. Every camp site offers
"huts". It was a four berth wooden
"hut" with two bunk beds, an electric cooking plate and electric heating. It was next to a raging stream of bubbling melted snow water rushing down from the mountains into the fjord.
The Trolstigen pass is worth a detour. Twelve first gear hair pin bends. Right hair pins are a nightmare. One has to approach them on the wrong side of the road, tackle the bend on the wrong side of the road and finish the manoeuvre on the wrong side of the road. This avoids the non-negotiable steep rise and acute angle at the apex of the curve. Fortunately, descending traffic always gives way. The Trolstigen is littered with many waterfalls created by the melting snow.
Before the Saturday evening ferry departure from Bergen, the day was spent enjoying the picturesque town. The bikes were parked up for a stroll around the attractive wooden buildings, bustling centre, the market, all of which have a unique attraction. There were bands playing, people acting and loads of tourists. An appropriately clad smiling individual on a fish-selling stall insisted a sample of whale meat be tried. It was not disappointing