Thought I'd write up last year's trip before it fades away. Route map: Route map: http://www.bikemap.net/route/586038 Day 1 saw me and Mike get an early-ish (10am!) train from Edinburgh to Glasgow. On arrival at Queen Street we headed due south to hit the River Clyde from where I could sort of get my bearings. We hoped to track down national cycle route 75 which would take us all the way south of the river to Gourock. As we approached the north bank at one of the many bridges the skies looked a bit menacing - its well known it always rains on the west coast! The cycle route was easy to find - it was mainly under construction (should be complete by now!), so we were able to pick our way on the riverside path and ... read more

Well the trip is now over. I'm back in Dundee and procastinating over preparations for a move to Edinburgh and the start of a new job on monday. My trip back home with coach, train and plane was incredibly hitch-free. I woke up on time from my hostel in Kabelvag (hard not to with my alarm set to Fight for Your Right to Party by Beastie Boys - it gives me heart palpitations when it goes off). I didn't fall back to sleep. I ate a nice breakfast. I got the bike ready for the 5km into Svolvaer. My bike didn't get a puncture or anything on the way. I found the bus stop. The bus arrived and despite everyone skipping the queue there was plenty of room for me and my bike. The driver didn't ... read more

Well okay I'm not quite in Bodø just yet. Got about 120km to go - so I'll be there tonight. From there, it's a 4 hour ferry to Moskenes in Lofoten and conveniently there are ferries leaving at midnight so I'll catch the overnighter (except of course there is no night up here as I've already crossed the Arctic Circle) and have my last two days cycling on Lofoten. I've already worked out that if I get to Svolvær there's a bus to Narvik on the morning of the 8th which makes my train connection to Stockholm with an hour and a half to spare. As according to the Lonely Planet Narvik is Norway's ugliest city this should be about right! There is a ski lift 5 mins walk from the centre but alas the season ... read more

Onto Geiranger, and I had no idea from my map that I'd be making another snowbound climb up to just over 1000m (from about 500m this time). The previous night I had a lovely campsite next to Pollfoss, a huge gushing section of rapids, in a nice fir tree forest (my last midge-free night! but more on that later...) The road up and over to Geiranger was really spectacular with an amazing first view straight down 1000m to the fjord below chockablock with cruise ships. A had a bit of a rest in the town (touristy as hell, but nonetheless a nice place) before doing the 600m switchback out the otherside to the famous viewpoint oif the whole fjord complete with waterfalls, etc... It was an awesome view, no doubt and defintely worth the climb, which ... read more

I've arrived safe, but road-weary in Trondheim. I'm going to have a rest day here tomorrow (so I can watch the football final!!!) and then we'll see. I'm thinking about taking a train just a bit to catch up on a couple of lost days. In that way I can enjoy the end more rather than having to race to get there. I should say I have now got a flight booked back home,, from Stockholm to Edinburgh! May sound crazy - but there is method to my madness... you'll see in a bit! Anyway I'm about to get kicked out of the library so I'll have to do the text to this later. Seen some amazing scenery, at least 4 huge passes, and a 100 mile day!!! Ok the details: So I set off from ... read more