Cycling the Land of the Midnight Sun

After checking the weather in Tromso over the past few days and for the coming weeks, we have made the decision to abandon our initial plan of cycling from the arctic, in favour of an about face. We will now fly into Oslo, but rather than catching the flight two hours north to Tromso, we will start in Oslo and cycle southwest to Kristiansand and gradually make our way north.  Tromso will now be our leaving point at the end of August and we will transit through Stockholm on our way back to New Zealand. This has not been altered lightly, but with fresh snow falling in Tromso this week and freezing temperatures in the upcoming weeks, we will head south in search of more moderate climes. We always expected bad weather during this adventure, but weren't quite expecting this in June. Packed my bike this afternoon and it all went very well. If the weather is good tomorrow, we'll get one more longer distance ride before packing Julia's bike. We have other bikes we can ride in the ...

Today was busy. Georgina and Brody were both busy getting their gear together for the off on Thursday morning. At which time, we go from three kids in New Plymouth, to one. I hope it's everything they want and especially for Brody as this is his first long haul adventure. He's taking his cameras and I'm sure the photo opportunities available to him, will blow him away. Julia and I did our first laden bike run today, just packing the panniers and bags, to see how the bike rolls with a bit of extra weight. It's funny how different they feel from a  normal days riding. Julia is taking a more streamlined approach, whilst I am using panniers. Bought a new set the other day, my first for 37 years. My Tika bags, (New Zealand made), did me proud lasting so long, but it was definitely time for an upgrade, as they were canvas and smelling all of those 37 years. They served me well, completing numerous overseas and local trips. So, thank you Tika (even though you went out of busi...

It' s been five years since our last adventure, but at long last, with Covid still hanging around, we are off to Norway to kickstart our love of life on the road less travelled.  Probably the wrong phrase to use actually, as every man and his dog seem to be cycling the world nowadays. Unlike forty years ago, when there were only a few hardy souls roaming continents searching for the contentment that comes with the freedom of packing your belongings on a bike and cycling off into the sunset, leaving responsibilities behind.    As I rapidly approach retirement, still enjoying my life as a personal trainer, I also realise that these trips need to be fulfilled before I fall off my perch. So, along with the love of my life and constant companion in all things enjoyable, the decision was made to do what we had  intended to do, before Covid was even heard of and cycle the land of the midnight sun.  We leave behind, as always, family and friends and some of the bes...