Safe Return Doubtful

67 miles (108 km) – Total so far: 1,178 miles (1,896 km)

A rainy day to say the least, but that is not surprising this summer in Norway. But a tough day is a memorable one. Also interesting, is that in losing 550 metres overall, it was necessary to gain 1201 metres.

Rain fell heavily overnight as it was forecast to. By 8 am it had lessened to fine drizzle, and at 800 metres we were in the cloud. A slow breakfast didn’t help, still drizzle.

Once again there was a stark contrast in the riding, on the big road, the RV40 the riding was survival, keeping away from the motorists, on the smaller roads, the 214, the 120 and latterly the 109 the riding was really good.

Out of Geilo is a 200 metre hill, and one with no shoulder at all, but even at 11 the Norwegian roads are still quieter than they are later in the day. After about 15 kilometres it is possible to head out south west on the smaller roads, to Tunhovd. By now the day was showery, and much better for cycling. Tunhovd has a 20% climb into the village, a well earned lunch.

The road continues around a number of lakes before descending 300 metres in a series of hairpins into Rodberg. From Rodberg the riding looked quick to Veggli where I was headed. Dark clouds loomed and shortly there was torrential rain. Hoping it was a shower I waited it out in a bus shelter, when it lightened I continued, but into a fairly major truck accident, it had come off the road and there were police, fire and ambulance attending, with the road closed. Waiting in the rain, I decided to go back and take the small farm road a few km back. It was a great road, lots of hills, and by now, lots of rain. Eventually I arrived into Veggli looking for a camp spot about 40 minutes after I expected to, in heavy rain. The cafe has a train, as cafes do, and it’s possible to stay the night in it quite cheaply. It really is ideal, I have everything drying and am eating in their cafe.

Waiting with the police at the accident in big rain I wasn’t sure where day was going. I guess that’s one of the reasons we do these tours.

Distance 66.9 miles Time left 11:10 am Time arrived 7:00 pm Time riding 6 hours 5 minutes Height gained 1201 metres

Lunch stop at the top of the hill in Tunvhod

First shelter from the coming rain, getting the jacket on

It’s actually the entrance to a communal double storey log house from 1300, now a museum

Reading my book in a bus shelter, waiting..

Looking down from 150 meters up on a farm road at the weather, temporarily clearing, and Veggli, where I was headed

Stocking up for the day in Geilo

Climbing the hill out of Geilo, note how much shoulder there is, pretty typical of these bigger roads

Lunch in Tunhovd

Hydro Electric Power Station at Rodberg, and the switchbacks down the hill above it

The 214 almost devoid of traffic, and plenty of 70 metre or so hills to keep the attention from straying

What a place to stay. One of the very best. All to myself also.

£30 with breakfast. After all the rain, a tremendous evening. Decent food also,