The plan was to ride from Kristiansand → Oslo, Norway (7h5m, 364km) departing in the morning
The new plan is to ride Øster Assels, Denmark → Hirtshals -ferry→ Kristiansand, Norway → Fosseland Hytter
2h15m and 180km from Strømpehuset, Øster Assels, Denmark to the ferry at Hirtshals this morning.
3.5h for the ferry ride
then 2hrs, 122km to Fosseland Hytter (cabins) in Feda, Norway
Anxious to get there on time, I was up and loading the bike at 7:15am, rolling at 7:20am. I got to the terminal at 9:35am taking no pictures on the way. I should have purchased my ticket online a couple of days ago for €57 instead of paying €101 at the terminal. Live and learn!
After buying my ticket, I went out to fill up my fuel and get some breakfast in Hirtshals. I bought groceries, then a cinnamon bun and coffee at xxx. Outside the bakery, I met a guy who was riding a Tenere heading to Nordkapp. We talked for a while, then rode together back to ferry check-in.
In the ferry waiting area we met a lot of other motorcyclists, including an old Italian guy who was impressed with my scooter ride. Parked and tied down in the ship, then up on deck for the 3.5hr voyage.
The departure was interesting. I think the ship has directional thrusters because it was able to spin around in place near the dock to head out of the narrow harbor. The churning water was stunning small fish, and the seagulls were going crazy.
I fell asleep on deck for a while and got a good sunburn on my face, especially my nose.
The voyage was long and not completely smooth, so I was feeling pretty seasick for at least and hour. I spent a lot of the time talking to a (very tall) Swiss guy who was just out of medical school and starting his residency in Norway.
Upon landing in Kristiansand, we untied the biked and rode off the ship. The port area is pretty busy, so not much chance to see anything there. Then a beautiful ride along the coast, stopped at a grocery store to stock up, then more beautiful riding under perfect blue skies and warm temperatures.
I was surprised when the pavement stopped and my last 30 km or so were on very smooth, but unpaved roads. The surface is a packed clay with a fine gravel scattered on top. I worry about how slippery that might be if it was raining. I'll have to be careful about planning my routes in Norway. Just because the road looks good on Google Maps doesn't mean pavement. OTOH, StreetView coverage is excellent.
Øster Assels → Fosseland Hytter, Feda Norway
Øster Assels to Hirtshals Denmark, then ferry to Kirstensand Norway, then ride to Fosseland Hytter, Feda Norway
| Time | Minutes | km | kph avg | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:15am | 5.0 | loading the bike | ||
| 7:20am | 134.7 | 178 km | 79 kph | |
| 9:35am | 15.7 | visit ferry terminal (1.5hrs too early) | ||
| 9:51am | 3.0 | 1 km | 20 kph | |
| 9:54am | 5.2 | fuel up at F24 | ||
| 9:59am | 3.4 | 2 km | 29 kph | |
| 10:02am | 19.1 | groceries at Rema 1000 | ||
| 10:21am | 1.8 | 0 km | 7 kph | |
| 10:23am | 10.5 | KonditorBager (bakery) | ||
| 10:34am | 6.5 | 3 km | 23 kph | |
| 10:40am | 62.2 | checked in waiting to board ferry | ||
| 11:42am | 0.6 | 0 km | 24 kph | rolling onto the ferry |
| 11:43am | 17.3 | ferry loading | ||
| 12:00pm | 235.1 | 149 km | 38 kph | ferry departing on time |
| 3:55pm | 0.5 | ferry arrives Kristiansand | ||
| 3:56pm | 7.0 | 4 km | 37 kph | |
| 4:03pm | 1.8 | off the ferry, first pictures | ||
| 4:05pm | 64.3 | 65 km | 60 kph | |
| 5:09pm | 46.0 | Rema 1000 | ||
| 5:55pm | 18.6 | 17 km | 54 kph | |
| 6:14pm | 2.9 | taking pictures | ||
| 6:17pm | 18.1 | 15 km | 49 kph | |
| 6:35pm | 2.5 | llama farm pics | ||
| 6:38pm | 12.3 | 7 km | 36 kph | |
| 6:50pm | 0.5 | unpaved road pics | ||
| 6:50pm | 15.7 | 11 km | 43 kph | |
| 7:06pm | 2.2 | lake pics | ||
| 7:08pm | 26.1 | 22 km | 52 kph | |
| 7:35pm | 39.2 | arrived Fosseland Hytter | ||
| 12h14m | 9h08m moving | 478 km | 52.4 kph | 75% moving, 186 minutes of breaks |
| Google time (7h18m) + 68% | ||||
Note about the track-log. This day is really 3 parts:
I call that 43% over Google time for the riding part.
I'm up early to make sure I reach the ferry terminal well before the 1h check-in deadline, and I haven't purchased my ticket yet, so I want to make sure I'm there and sure they won't sell out. I really should have purchased this ticket in advance. It cost almost double to buy it at the terminal rather than 2 days before online. Live and learn.