We have made it to an amazing house in the mountians of Saudal at the end of a long fjord. After biking just over 500km (300 mi) in the past five days, our legs are beginning to understand the undertakings we have planned. There have been lots of detours, some road construction, some chain repair, some feasting on honey-peanut butter chocolate, but most of all there have been amazing memories built into the twists and turns of our rides on bikes, ferries and feets!
Preikestolen (pulpit rock) was a highlight so far (and also the first 'rest day' we had). It was everything the pictures show--the epitome of european scorn for guardrails as we laid down on the edge and looked at the 2000ft drop. The birds flying on the surface of the fjord looked like toys. The mountains lining the fjord and the sunshine at our backs made it seem like we had found a piece of heaven and the multi-nationalism of the people at the top assured us that we weren't alone in our discovery.
Our hosts so far have been fantastic--it is great to get to know people along the way (and to have a shower or two that isn't freezing!). Tenting spots have also been quite comfortable and nice as well. After riding for most of the day we finally spotted a nice green area underneath a large cable bridge only to find out that it was in someone's backyard. I tried my hand at introducing us in Norwegian and the woman not only let us camp in their yard, but told us we could fill our waterbottles if we needed.
The road ways have given us a few choices, and they have all proved fruitful: apparently in Norway all roads lead to where you want to go - some jut over hill and dale to get there. One lesson that we have learned is that one should not trust the folks who laid out the bicycle route to have the cyclist best interest in mind. At first we dogmatically followed the sacred "Sykkle Rte 1" signs and found ourselves riding through golf courses, over mountains, and through random neighborhoods... ways that are nice to see, but not always the best surfaces nor the most compelling justifications for the extra distance. After the extra miles induced by the sykkle route on the first few days, we wisened up and have been taking a more freelance approach by navigating country roads from one town to another.
The weather has held out for us with temperatures in the 50s (F) and mostly sunny skies. The coastal wind has been both a bleassing in that is seems to keep the skies clear, but can also be a curse as we climb hills into the wind. We will climb over our first really high pass tomorrow as we ride from Sauda to Røldal to Odda, and we expect the temperatures to drop as we ride through the snowy mountain pass.
That's the update for now...pictures to come when technology allows.
Takk for turen så langt!
-Caitlin og Tyler
