North Cape by GTL

[Jo]

I don't mind the firecracker Jo, it's performing well, no issues. Woki installed a Scottoiler, so even chain maintenance hasn't been necessary. Hasn't used a drop of oil, other than filling up, it hasn't been touched!

piet

Never mind Piet, it was just meant to be kind of tenderful mobbing - I just wanted to break a lance for the aesthetics ...

 

[chrisk]

Mozzies and sandflies love me. Fuck me…. maybe I was an Elk in a previous life

Do Elks like red wine with their grass?
I do!

 

[Laverdalothar]

At least they taste great with red wine...

 

[sfcpiet]

Adds credibility to Paul’s belief that the more you ride ‘em the better they run. When they were new there would be no hesitations about such a trip, no reason a rebuilt/restored one shouldn’t do just as well.

I was replying about the chinese QJ, it's doing all that's expected. It's a hardly run-in example, first registered 2024.

But yes, the GTL received a restoration down to the last nut and bolt, and beyond! I restored it 1994, registered April of that year and it has been in constant use. At first it really was like brand new bike, everything nice and tight as you'd expect. It's got 72000+km under its belt now and still running strong. It's scored its share of blemishes but has overall aged nicely. I wouldn't hesitate to take on the next Grand Tour once I arrive back home. An oil change and a new set of tyres will be all that's required.

piet

 

[Paul Marx]

Adds credibility to Paul’s belief that the more you ride ‘em the better they run. When they were new there would be no hesitations about such a trip, no reason a rebuilt/restored one shouldn’t do just as well.

Depends who rebuilt/restored and maintains it.
Paul

 

[sfcpiet]

The E6 made quick work of todays' 315km stage. Leaving at 9:30 and sitting on a comfortable 90-95 for most of the way (posted at mostly 90) with an occasional burst for overtaking, we made it to Bodo around 15:00, including numerous photo and 2 fuel stops. The E6 is actually quite boring for long stretches, but it does allow great averages, landscapes ever-changing once again. Made the obligatory stop at the Arctic Circle for photos and a quick browse through the souvenir shop. Landscape again quite barren with lots of snow in the rock niches. The road crossing the Arctic Circle is at 690-odd metres, temperature was 17 degrees, which is probably quite unusual I guess. Our snowman melted rapidly!

Along the E6:






We overtook this italian 2CV quite a few times, he'd alway sneak past when we stopped for photos. Met the occupants at the Circle, they're on their way to the Cape, where else... ?






But the icing on the cake today was turning off the E6 at Nesby and taking the 812 to Bodo, via Saltstraumen. A dream of a road, peppered with sheep shit and piss... but a great ride nevertheless!





Ghost rider!





Bridge over the maelstrom at Saltstraumen, lots of water flowing through with the tide.


Late lunch in Bodo harbour. Off to the Lofoten tomorrow!

piet

 

[Jo]

Great pics again - love the snowman and the GTL in front of the iron wheel!

 

[Andy]

Ken Oath, that’s a fantastic trip. Roads look great, I have no doubt you could have taken a hundred more photos, but too busy enjoying the ride

 

[sfcpiet]

Ken Oath, that’s a fantastic trip. Roads look great, I have no doubt you could have taken a hundred more photos, but too busy enjoying the ride

Yep!

"That's worth a pic", stop, take pics... ride another km "that looks even better". Happens all the time. We wouldn't make any progress at all if we stopped for everything.

Some of these roads induce a natural flow, hard to stop once in the groove!

piet

 

[sfcpiet]

Reckon we may have gambled a bit too high this time, 11:00 ferry's booked out!

We'll stand in line and hope for the best, usually a nook somewhere for a couple of bikes.

Off now, need to be in line by 10:00.

piet

 

[sfcpiet]

Well, we made it onto the ferry without further ado.

Met Michael, an irish Aussie from Sydney in the queue, been on the road for 4 years, riding from Oz to Europe, with the occasional trip back home to either Ireland or Oz! After the Cape, he's traveling down Finland, wants to be in Ireland by October... lucky him!!

The passage from Bodo was pretty rough, lots of vomit bags being passed around. The Lofoten islands greeted us with wind and rain, the rain stopped after a few km out of the Moskenes harbour, but the wind got stronger. Due to me mucking up our accomodation booking, we're staying an extra day. I booked the planned accomodation for Saturday instead of today, so we've needed to take a room in one of the few vacant hotels left. At least they have a restaurant and what looks like a quite decent bar.

Only 80km today, but pretty spectacular! Every little hamlet looks like a postcard motif, they are actually...

Tension rises, will they let us on?



Michaels BMW, 266000km on the odo!



Along the way...



A bit of exploring tomorrow.

Off for a bite and a beer.

piet

 

[Vince]

I have seen Humpbacked Bridges, but that's crazy. The first one looks like a Supercross jump.

 

[The Sock]

I have seen Humpbacked Bridges, but that's crazy. The first one looks like a Supercross jump.

Piet probably crossed the Storseisundet Bridge, on the Atlantic Highway South of Kristiansund. My Favourite bridge, so far, in the world.
The design allows it to survive the ravages of the weather and location.

 

[Vince]

There is a Bridge south of Sydney that was built after a series of rock falls that blocked the area for a couple of years; it's similar and a fair bit longer. Both tick all the engineering boxes to the max.

Sea Cliff Bridge

The 665 metre long Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight along the Grand Pacific Drive. A drive which takes in 140 kilometres worth of coastal scenery from

www.visitnsw.com

 

[sfcpiet]

Piet probably crossed the Storseisundet Bridge, on the Atlantic Highway South of Kristiansund. My Favourite bridge, so far, in the world.
The design allows it to survive the ravages of the weather and location.

View attachment 97756

Yes, we crossed that one too. Pretty wierd going over the top, you see nothing but sky and then bloody big semi-trailer suddenly shows up at the crest! Side winds are treacherous, signs showing wind speeds at almost every big bridge, at least a wind sock in good view.

Too many bridges to list/shoot pics of...

piet

 

[chrisk]

There is a Bridge south of Sydney that was built after a series of rock falls that blocked the area for a couple of years; it's similar and a fair bit longer. Both tick all the engineering boxes to the max.

Sea Cliff Bridge

The 665 metre long Sea Cliff Bridge is a highlight along the Grand Pacific Drive. A drive which takes in 140 kilometres worth of coastal scenery from

www.visitnsw.com

My wife’s nephew was involved with that. He and his team of engees even went to a bridge building conference in Italy….. who would have thought?

 

[The Sock]

He and his team of engees even went to a bridge building conference in Italy….. who would have thought?

 

[sfcpiet]

The Live Lofoten Hotel can be unconditionally recommended! Comfortable rooms, top restaurant and bar, superb breakfast.

Weather hadn't really changed much overnight, we started off in rain gear around 10:30 for a little round trip to the place I had booked previously, 20km away but we made more like 80 out of that to kill some time. Stopped at the Viking Museum at Borg, also well worth a visit! Checked in at 15:00, the fog started lifting. We are now in Mortsund, near Leknes. Nice roomy cabins with a pretty big bathroom for a change!

Michael from the previous day, maybe a Sydney-sider recognises him!



Ride was rather foggy soggy, but the sun broke through here and there... well, a little bit.









Viking Museum




The nectar of the Gods



Viking theme throughout!





Enough for one day... got a Latvian neighbour.



Weather cleared up in the afternoon, then this fella came honking around the corner.





Our next leg will take us to Tennevoll, some 300km north. Weather forecast is very favourable!!

piet

 

[sfcpiet]

Left Mortsund in glorious sunshine, heading north to Tennevoll. The E10 and E6 were only sparsely frequented (Sunday!), so we made excellent progress. Fuelled up in Leknes as we left, again in somewhere near Gullefjord... not going to be caught out again! Made it to our booked accomodation at 15:00, far too early.

Finest Grand Touring once again with temps hovering around 20 degrees, perfect.

Breakfast view



View south down the E6









On the 84 to Tennevoll



Fjellkysten Hotel Tennevoll





Early, well-earned beer!



Temps are around 24-25 at the moment, absolutely brilliant! Hoping it keeps up for the next couple of days, nearing our goal!

piet

 

[Jo]

Yeah, you're approaching your final mark with seven-league boots now.
What's the planned destination of tomorrows leg?