Day 19 – Flam to Finse to Geilo – Safe Return Doubtful

33 miles (54 km) – Total so far: 1,112 miles (1,789 km)

Awoke again to heavy rain and laid around hoping it would stop. It lessened at least. I think I’ve had 4 days clear of rain only so far.

I finished a book before heading out of Flam on the famous railway up to Myrdal. A million tourists travel on it each year. Many of the views that the train stops at are certainly spectacular, but matched in the last few days riding. At Myrdal it’s a change to the Bergen train for a short time to Finse. Finse is famously at 1222 metres. The hotel is called that, and a recent crime thriller also (Norwegain author Anne Holt, worth reading for sure). There are no roads, just the train station and a few 4x4s. There is some cross country skiing in the winter, but a lot of snow around. There’s 27 kilometres of riding on the Rallarvegen and a loss of height of 200 metres to Haugastol. From there it’s the busy road to Geilo, which has a surprising few hills as well as losing another 200 metres.

I’m at the campsite just east of town, pretty quiet, and although the day has been dry, there is a night of rain coming. Forecasts say clear by 10 am, but we shall see. Though the campsite has plenty of people staying, the attendant told me the cafe, sauna and jacuzzi were all now closed for the winter. It’s a strange way to say it I guess, but some schools are back here next week.

Distance 33.3 miles Time left (from Finse) 2:45 pm Time arrived 6:30 pm Time riding 3 hours 15 minutes Height gained 210 metres