Polarsykling goes polar!

We have made it across the 66 and 1/3 parallel.  This line, known as the acrtic circle, demarcates the southern boundary of the polar region and is defined as the latitude where on the summer solstice the sun does not set and on the winter solstice the sun does not rise.  With each degree north that we travel, the season of 24 hour sun increases by a week in duration, until we reach Nord Kapp where there is a month of continuous sunshine.  Here are a few of the pictures we have collected along our way from Steinkjer to Bodø!

here we are with our Norwegian cycling team sponsors!! NTE
is a company that is in charge of energy in Nord-Trøndelag fylke
and we got to ride with some of the 'sprekest' of them all!

We made it up the local mountain for a repeat of last year's photo shoot.

At Caitlin's friend Jenni's farm!! Now on the front page and FAMOUS!! We got a tour of the dairy barn, the school, and celebrated mid-summer at the pier with the neighborhood. The best longest day of the year yet!

Riding through Norway... literally.  Over 20 km clocked under ground so far. Don't worry mom, we have refleks!

Beware, cars diving.

What you don't see from this view from our camp site are all the knott... we couldn't either, but we sure could feel them!

Battling the knotts, ninja style

Riding past the fields of flowers with four of the "Seven Sisters" on the horizon.

Rock climbing, or rather, rope climbing up Sister #1

You know you want some quinoa, scallion, bullion, tea glopp... I can see it in your eyes.

At our seaside campsite at about 11 pm.

Welcome to Bodø, meet the local troll.

 We are headed to the Lofoten islands this afternoon by ferry.  More photos to come!

When you run out of adjectives

Hei!

We have made it to the island chain of Lofoten, and after a full day of brilliant sunshine we have ridden through a large portion of the landscape even Norwegians talk about with wonder.  We arrived with a wave of carravans on the afternoon ferry from Bodø to Moskenes.  A short jaw dropping ride later we arrived at the southern terminous of this stunning island chain, at a town fitting named Å. We easily found a tentsite and got right to work with our "one-time-grill" to fry up an impressive fillet of salmon.

Overview map

 

Closer view of the Lofoten chain.

 

Riding in style from Bodø to Moskenes

Awesome campsite in Å at the southern terminous of Lofoten

The loaves and the fishes... and the beer, don't forget the beer.

Preparing to do battle with the powerful arctic sun.

Reine in Lofoten.  Every view a postcard, every sight a wonder, every corner an RV.

Mountains, snow, sun, no bugs, and stunning views all around!

Instant Floridian beach, just add people.

 We have arrived in Kabelvåg, the next town west of Svolvær, where our hosts have provided us with much needed showers (6 days) and laundry (8 days).  This has been the our longest stretch in the tent so far, and it is great to have hosts lined up for the next several days as we proceed northward.