10th July 2023 (sunny and hot, late drizzle) 48km

Morning dawned bright and sunny.  Gear packed, tent stowed, although only partially as we'll have to dry off the flysheet later.  Today is a 45km ride to Trondheim, where we have booked into a hotel for two nights, but all depending on the weather, we may stay longer.  Trondheim marks the half way point in our tour and at present we are about a week ahead of schedule.  This of course can easily change with weather or injuries.

After our 94 kms yesterday, our knees are feeling it, but that is a combination of all those other big days. We managed to cut down yesterday's mileage from the expected 108, by enduring that 500 metres on the E39.  Well worth the 14km saving.  The rest in Trondheim will do us both a favour and we can have a leisurely look around a city that's supposed to be worthwhile.

Found a supermarket that opened at 7am, grabbed our breakfast supplies and lunch and then directly across the road was a building with a massive car park and a bench seat.  Too good not to take advantage, so ground sheets spread out to dry along with the fly sheet, in the very warm sun. Meanwhile,  we enjoyed our usual breakfast.

This was just down the road from our breakfast spot.

The carving on the whole building was fantastic but the entrance was especially intricate. 

Headed away from Orkanger following the fjord.  It was the most relaxing 29km we've had on the whole trip.  A gentle breeze and shaded us for a lot of the ride and it was such a joy to not have huge hills to scale continuously.  Both of us found our knees were not sore, but tired after yesterday's marathon effort, so this flat start was just the job.

Shade and flat riding....just the ticket!

Just a nice country church.

Pulled into Klett and at the service station bought two Pistachio ice creams (now a favourite) and a coke.  It's 11.08am, we are just about to make the final 15kms into Trondheim to our hotel.  Breakfast included.  Do they know that they'll need extra deliveries for the time I'm there?

Before that though, a climb to come.
"Ya knew it wassa comin"
Just got to the start of the climb when we passed three young bikepackers. One guy and two girls. They were seriously loaded up with gear.

We proceeded up the very gentle gradient to the top, thinking, something else has to be around the corner.  Fortunately today's 45kms was fantastic and the cycleway into Trondheim was probably the easiest we have followed into any city.   We passed a university and a very modern looking hospital and then we cruised into Trondheim for a look around.

Lunch spot, although believe me, we were eating in the shade!

Because they are expecting a thunderstorm this afternoon, it was seriously hot and sticky.
Ate lunch on a park bench and then went to see some sights.  At first glance Trondheim looks an interesting city, so we look forward to tomorrow, when we do it properly.

Julia watches the thunderstorm approaching

Checked into the hotel at 3pm, just as rain threatened. It did come eventually but nothing like what was forecasted.  Got sorted, had showers did washing. 

Went down to reception to find out how to work the air conditioning.   "Oh, this hotel doesn't have air conditioning."  Don't know what the dial was for on the wall then.  Anyway, lovely girl offers us a fan.  Yes please....made all the difference.

Went to "Super Hero Burger" for something to eat.  Julia got a BBQ burger and I got pulled pork.  Nice, just a little too much sauce.  Ju was rapt with her Crabbies Ginger Beer.  At 4% it was nearly stronger than my Corona....think there's a song in there somewhere.  Was looking at an Irish Bar for Guinness......$23 for a 500ml.  I'll brew it myself.

King Olaf Tryggvason, Trondheim's founder.

Looks like the pigeons were a problem back then as he's about to behead one.  Actually,  hang on a minute.....it's actually not a pigeon as we thought the whole time we've been here 🤣🤣🤣

Had a wander around the shops that were still open, but all clothing shops looking to gear up for the cruise liners.  Nothing catering to bikepackers strangely enough.  Guess we're not your best customers.  Even if we wanted to buy something,  we couldn't because we have nowhere to store it.  Interestingly though, clothes don't seem as outrageously priced as dining out.

Got a pastry from a bakery.  Just the one to share as it was $8, and made coffee back at the hotel.  It's amazing how much you value just sitting in your own clean room...and not having to set up your tent or blow up your bed.
Had a FaceTime with Brody.
He's having such a good time in Newquay and doing so well.
Tomorrow we will do the tourist bit and see some more of Trondheim.

The hotel bed looks very inviting.