2 ferries, superb riding roads and glorious weather, what more could you ask for?
Well we could have asked to include two of the most famous roads in the region in our itinerary and that's exactly what we had.
A sprint to the Eisdal to Linge ferry was timed to perfection (luck, not judgement) as it was just starting to board when we arrived at the quayside. Off the other side, NOK56 the poorer, we made a stop for Knutr to top up the gnats bladder, then it was up the valley and up the south side of the Trollstigen route. At the summit, we made a stop for the Stigfossen waterfall. Unlike most others we've seen so far, at the Stigfossen, you are at the top, to see it tumbling down into the valley below. They have spent a fair bit of cash making this a real attraction, with metal walkways taking you out over the rushing water. A further walkway takes you along the face of the rocks, so you not only get a sideways look at the falls but also, on another metal platfom, seemingly hanging in thin air, a full view of the Trollstigen road, that twists, turns and loops back on itself at least half a dozen times, before it reaches the valley floor. It is stunning.
As we carried on, that seemed to signal the end of the massive slab sided, snow covered mountain landscape and we once again found ourselves at fjord level, with green fields and houses. We skirted another fjord, don't ask which and made our way to Vestnes, where we would catch our second ferry. The journey was a joy, briiliant sunshine and bone dry roads, interrupted only for a fuel stop and some lunch, another big bratwurst hotdog. By chance, we were opposite a supermarket, so we popped across to buy a couple of cans of beer.
The Vestnes to Molde ferry was only a few kilometres away. Once again, by luck, they were rolling on as we arrived, so we were able to to drive sraight on. They take the money (NOK85) on board this one. The trip is about 7 miles. I'm not sure how long that took though. Molde is quite a big place, they have quite a sizeable looking football stadium on the shoreline and when you get off, there are all the things you'd associate with a large town, e.g. Audi car dealership.
From Molde and whatever fjord that sits beside, we made our way along the coast road, which eventually racks up alongsde the Atlantic Ocean. It was noticeably windier on this side of the island and for the first time, we even had a few spots of rain. Nothing to be concerned about though. Before long, we turned onto the Atlantic Road and from a distance, could see the famous Alantic Road Bridge, the road to nowhere. At the right angle it seems as if the road just goes up into the sky and then stops. I stopped to start the Gopro, as I had earlier for Trollstigen and we set off. The bridge really is remarkable and as you get onto it, you realise just how steep it is. It's this that gves it that impression of stopping in mid air. On it, you are practically at the top, before you can see there is another side to it. The feeling and view from up there is superb. I signalled to Knutr that I was going back and with a drive through the visitor centre car park, we went back the other way. Cue big grin on face! Back over we stopped to take photos, then did a third trip, stopped and took photos of the other side.
We then had a 25 mile trip to our digs in Kristiansund, taking in a 6km tunnel, which, most unexpectedly, we had to pay to use, £6.50 each. All other road tolls thus far have been free for motorcycles.
The day has been everything I had hoped it would be, great biking weather and two, three if you include the waterfall, amazing sights, It doesn't get much better.
Tomorrow, we start the long journey back to blighty. But there's many long miles to be covered before then, thankfully.
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