Day 24 & 25. Geiranger to Kristiansund, NO, 265 kms

It was a short ride day, but everything I wanted to see completed at a slow and steady pace.   The rides from snow-tops to fjords were exhilarating.   In the afternoon it even stopped raining for a few hours.

Geiranger is a very popular destination for the cruise ships as well as motorists, so was very busy.   My hotel room was small and old, but comfortable.   The dinner was expensive, but an absolutely wonderful taste.   No regrets.

The road to the Trollstigen (The Troll's Footpath)  was good to ride through the snow-tops.  They have built a new tourist centre and board-walks up there.  Very good, and all made of steel plate.   Even the toilet cubicles and doors are steel plate.   Lots of tourist buses when I was there.  

The outlook from the top is good and you can easily see the 11 hairpin bends to negotiate on the 850 metre downhill ride.   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trollstigen

I setup the video on my helmet, but have not seen the movie yet.

When I was researching this trip on the internet, many blogs were telling me about the Atlantic highway and the bridges.   This route opened in 1989 after 20 years of work, was the next part of my ride; island hopping on Route 644.   The sun was out and the road was dry.   This scenic route is very popular.   There were lots of motorhomes and other motorbikes on the route, too.  

     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_Ocean_Road   

The Storseisundet Bridge was great to see and ride.   I did it 3 times.   

     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storseisundet_Bridge

I got so excited that I forgot I was not in AUS, and took off on the left side of the road.   An oncoming car coming off the bridge in “my lane” soon made me realise I was in Norway.   Whoops, a quick lane change, no problems.   I think this is only the second time I was on the wrong side of the road, but I did have to move over for an English motorhomer with the same problem who was confused at the roundabout.   Fortunately, these things occur as you take off, so the speed is slow.

The grand ending into Kristiansund was the Atlantic Ocean Tunnel.   The 5.7 km tunnel runs under the ocean and reaches a depth of 250m (800 feet) and was commissioned in the year 2000.   There is a toll of 47 Kr (AUD $10) on the tunnel.   My GPS was a little confused, and showed me travelling at 35 kph and at a depth of -385 metres.  !!!  I guess there is no satellite reception down there, as expected.

When I found the campground where I decided to spend the night in a room, it started to rain again, so I had to unload the bike in the wet.   Never mind.  Fortunately, I am getting better with this.   I now take off the panniers and the top box and take them with me into the room.   This way I have everything with me.

Today, I am having a rest day here in Kristiansund.   Mainly to catch-up on my photos, and the blog, and and also some sleep.   Two nights in the same bed is always nice.  It's peaceful here.  The Campground Manager also commented on the rain and said that there's more sunshine up north.

Tomorrow I hope to get to Trondheim, and a little further.

Thanks for your comments, too.

PS.  I have added the promised extra photos to the Prague Post, "Days 12-15". 

     

LN2N2012