To make planning a little easier for copycats, we have summarized some facts and tips about our tandem tour.
Route planning
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Travel guide: Norway by bike by Frank Pathe, Cyclos Verlag
The guidebook worked well for us. Our route consisted mostly of sections described there. -
Map: Southern Norway 1:300'000, Kunth Verlag
From this map we copied the sections we needed for our route. Unfortunately, the map was not detailed enough in some cases.
On the copies we marked the campsites (see below). -
Online map:http://www.opencyclemap.org/
We used this map with FoxtrotGPS on the Openmoko Freerunner as navi. We downloaded the map material to a SD card in Switzerland. -
Online map:http://kart.syklistene.no/ From this map we printed out sections of Oslo and the route to Lillestrøm, as the southern Norway map did not show the bike paths and bike bans.
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Online map:http://www.visitnorway.com/de/VN/Map/
With printouts of this map we found the way from Trondheim to the southern campground. -
Camping directory:http://www.norwegen-reise.com/
This website was the most detailed reference to find campsites and cabins. We exported this using the export function for our navi.
Less complete alternatives are:
Our route
Trondheim - Heimdal - Orkanger - Vormstad - Løkken - Rennebu - Granasjøen - Nerskogen - Oppdal - Driva - Hjerkinn - Dalholen - Folldal - Atnsjøen - Enden - Venabygd - Ringebu - Lillehammer (western lakeshore) - Dokka - Jevnaker - Sløvika - Lunner
On the way we passed Doverfjell and Rodane National Park.
Tips / Experiences
Arrival
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The transfer from Oslo to Lillestrøm due to construction took more time than expected
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The trains and ferries ran on time. ( The CNL on the way back was about 10min late).
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Possibly clarify whether you have to check in at the ferry as a cyclist with the cars or pedestrians.
- At the City Night Line there are special tandem seats, which are bigger than normal bike seats.
Roads/Maps
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On major roads there are sometimes bicycle bans. Alternative routes can be found with the map of the Cyclists Association.
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Not all cycle paths in Norway are signposted. Sometimes the signs are not easy to see.
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Minor roads are partly not asphalted but usually still well rideable.
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On smaller roads you should watch out for the sometimes numerous potholes.
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Some of the villages marked on the map are only single farms.
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Signposts and street names were partly a bit sparsely distributed
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The printed internet maps were not accurate enough.
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In order to find the way easier in cities with a network of bike paths, it would be worthwhile to order the bike path maps in advance.
Shopping
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Without a dictionary it is challenging but doable
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We found everything we needed
Camping
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The campsites were all in good condition and mostly well equipped
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Mostly a washing machine and often also a dryer was available
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Cabins have to be reserved in advance in the high season in some cases
Weather/Climate
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During our tour it rained frequently, but even on rainy days not all day long
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Norway was warmer than expected, we never had to wear more than t-shirt and sweater in the evenings.