Category Archives: Activities

Norway / Lofoten & Vesterålen / Cycling

Well rested I continue my ride in rain and with strong headwinds. I wonder if I should pitch my tent one more time quiet often. But that would mean pitching my tent in heavy gusts of wind and rain while already being soaked. No the solution is to power trough, changing into clean and dry clothes and sleeping in my own bed. Usually I would recommend to cycle the more beautiful outer / western side of Andøya, this time I cycle the eastern side to Dverberg where I enjoy a nice bacalao and some cinnamon rolls at Alveland. Only 30 km left to get home…
… after this pitstop no problem.

Total distance: 100904 m
Max elevation: 121 m
Min elevation: 37 m
Total climbing: 1244 m
Total descent: -1229 m
Tagged , , , , ,

Norway / Lofoten & Vesterålen / Cycling

Glad that I had a chance to dry I continue my journey. The landscape is stunning. Even on the Eastern side of Hadseløya and Langøya, I’d recommend that you take the outer / western side if you have the time.
I was considering to cycle past Sortland and camp there. But the temptation to book into a hotel was to big. I’d be able to catch up when starting my day well rested.

Total distance: 72641 m
Max elevation: 46 m
Min elevation: -30 m
Total climbing: 883 m
Total descent: -887 m
Tagged , , ,

Norway / Lofoten & Vesterålen / Cycling

I managed to stay dry in my bivouac but I wake up early. I don’t feel like staying here and making breakfast and try my luck to find a breakfast in Kabelvåg. And boy was I lucky, sure I had to kill an hour or so until the bakery opened but there was an German bakery. There is also an old telephone booth which functions as free library. If you don’t already know Bookcrossing you should check it out. I recommend also that you visit the gallery Lille Kabelvåg.
I have a stroll trough Svolvær visited a couple of little galleries which were nice. There are some nice restaurants too but I just hat this decent breakfast in Kabelvåg and as wet and to be honest smelly I was I didn’t feel suitable for a restaurant.
I continued along the E10 and was looking forward to get on a more quiet road, the FV888 just after Austnesfjorden rasteplass, where you definitely should take a stroll to the viewpoint.
The FV888 is absolutely wort a ride. Beautiful landscapes all the way from Vestpollen to Fiskebøl. Since I didn’t feel like pitching my tent in the rain I was hoping that the cyclist shelter at Grunnfør wasn’t occupied which it wasn’t so I moved right in.

Total distance: 75053 m
Max elevation: 51 m
Min elevation: -25 m
Total climbing: 1094 m
Total descent: -1098 m
Tagged , , , ,

Norway / Lofoten & Vesterålen / Cycling

Riding from Uttakleiv beach to Gimsøystraumen really makes me feel small. Looks like some weather is about to approach and I don’t feel like pitching my tent so I bivouac under a small roof.

Total distance: 58875 m
Max elevation: 131 m
Min elevation: -10 m
Total climbing: 939 m
Total descent: -944 m
Tagged ,

Norway / Lofoten & Vesterålen / Cycling

Riding from Flakstad to Nusfjord to catch the cycle ferry over to Ballstad.
Taking the ferry is a nice option to avoid the Nappstraumtunnel. I recommend that you book the ferry at least one day in advance as it might not operate when there are no bookings: Ballstadgutt. I wish I had some more time to see Nusfjord but I ran a little bit late due to a puncture. Well that gives me an excuse to return one day.
In Ballstad I stumbled upon “Sareptas hus” which houses a little shop for locally produced food and art as well as a little gallery. I really was impressed with the artwork of Iraj Nouri which I recommend you have a look at in a gallery when you get the chance.
Another place I stumbled upon is Sjokoladerommet, a cozy little café / chocolatery where I had some chocolate and ice-cream, yummy.
I wanted to camp at Uttakleiv beach, not sure how busy it would be but my worries unnecessary the beach has plenty of space, you have to pay a fee to camp there though. Something I gladly do to keep beaches like this clean and free of toilet paper.

Total distance: 58485 m
Max elevation: 73 m
Min elevation: -4 m
Total climbing: 978 m
Total descent: -975 m
Tagged , , ,

Norway / Lofoten & Vesterålen / Sailing & Cycling

Last watch and day of sailing, we finally got some wind and action. I will miss the movement of the sea and the quiet 0-4 night watches in the midnight sun.
First day of riding my bike feels funny, I still got my sea legs and it feels like the ground is moving. Going over bridges makes me dizzy but this feeling will disappear eventually.
I decide not to climb Reinebringen and am looking forward to a visit at Reine Kultursenter. Iv visited some years ago and really liked it. This time they were housing artworks from Eva Harr, Karl Erik Harr and Trym Ivar Bergsmo. After the visit I get the supplies of food I need and off we go.

Total distance: 29258 m
Max elevation: 59 m
Min elevation: 9 m
Total climbing: 625 m
Total descent: -622 m
Tagged ,

Norway / Lofoten & Vesterålen / Sailing

Today we are sailing into Trollfjorden again, this time the impressions are quiet different. Later we start to get some more weather and rock and roll at sea.

Tagged ,

Norway / Lofoten & Vesterålen / Sailing

Tonight we are passing Andøya – Home for me. It is quiet quiet at sea so I spend less words and show more Pictures. We also get served the fish we caught earlier this trip. It was prepared excellently, like all the meals we got.

Tagged , , , , ,