NTC2503 Touring Center Norway
Riding a motorcycle here in Norway, one the most important tools for a tour guide is probably the weather radar. It comes in handy especially on a touring center. To be able to get as much sunshine and dry roads to ride on, we choose our rides according to where the sun shines. Yesterday, on our first riding day, the area of the driest roads seemed to be only along the Atlantic Ocean, hence, our first ride took us to the famous Atlantic Ocean Road. We also visited one of the many WW II sites in Bud before. Our great lunch, fish and chips or a creamy fish soup, in one of the typical Norwegian wooden houses was very delicious. A long but rewarding riding day!
What a fantastic day it was today! Early in the morning, the weather here in Ålesund was quite stormy. However, a glance at the weather radar told us that the rain would ease off later in the morning. It was clear that on the bird island of Runde, the sun would even peak through the clouds. However, no one would have guessed this morning that riding in wind and rain would be just as much fun. The puffins have their breeding nests on the island of Runde. Unfortunately, the waves were too high to go out by boat, and no one felt like hiking in motorcycle gear either. So we watched the very well-made half-hour film about these amazing birds at the island's visitor center. Afterwards, we drove along the coast around the offshore islands. Like a close-knit team, we braved the strong wind and rain and plowed our way back to the ferry and Ålesund.
Talking about Geiranger Fjord, everyone knows instantly what you are referring to. It is one of the most famous Fjords here in Norway. Sometimes you will find large cruise ships in the fjord, and sometimes smaller ones with a helicopter landing platform. For us, it was an early start into the morning as we wanted to catch the 10 am ferry to the village of Geiranger. While floating through the Fjord we had plenty of time to admire the massive waterfalls, the "Seven Sisters" and also to take some pictures. Once we got off the ferry in Geiranger, we climbed the pass up the Dalsnibba Pass, and even higher to the viewing platform of the Geiranger Skywalk. And I think it is also about time to introduce you to 'Knut' the little Troll that you can find popping up in our blog every day. He es travelling with Marty and Stanton. It was given to Marty as a travel companion and their mission is, to show up in as many pictures as possible. Hey guys, I am happy to assist you with this :)
Norwegian's coast has over 1,700 fjords. Yesterday, as you know, we were already at Geiranger Fjord. But today is all about riding with our motorcycles along a few of the remaining fjords. Wait a minute! That's not quite right! Not just along the fjords, but also out to the West Cape! After a brief discussion, it turns out that all of us want to ride out to the westernmost point of Norway—including Knut, by the way ;) Unfortunately, it was so windy and rainy at the West Cape that we couldn't take any photos. Except for this one in the small supermarket near the Cape, which served for us as a place to warm up after our successful mission. YES, we made it!! :)
What a fantastic last riding day! As you can see, this was a day of riding that was right up Knut's alley, our “incognito travel companion” :-) Knut was delighted to meet his entire “family” here in Norway ;-) Because today, our journey took us to the land of trolls! First, we admired the Trollveggen, Norwegian for “troll wall.” It is one of the steepest rock faces here in Norway. After seeing Knut hug his relatives, we also dared to get closer to the troll family for a photo ;-) Then we ventured up the winding Trollstigen road to the viewing platform! It was well worth it, of course, especially because a delicious strawberry cake was waiting for us at the end. The Valldal valley is famous for its delicious strawberries. A visit to the Rose Church at the end of the Valldal valley rounded off our last day of riding, and we made our way back to Ålesund. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all adventurers on this tour! It was an terribly awfully splendid experience riding with you! ;-) And I am especially looking forward to discovering the world with you on another tour! Warm regards, Angela