July 27, 2024
Day 26: Hammerstad to Stokmarknes
Taking a Shortcut to Beat the Rain
“Ferries leave every two hours starting at 0830, let’s go for the 1030 one.” Patrick says and continues, “no need to hurry we will just have to wait if we miss the early one or get there too soon for the next one.” Rain is forecasted to arrive in Stokmarknes around 2pm. So the goal is to get to camp before the rain starts.
After a beautiful ride along the fjords we arrive at the ferry dock in Fiskebol with an hour wait time. We decided to take the direct route, the Eurovelo follows the west coast along several deep fjords, but with the rain coming we decide the take the main road along the east side of the island and get to Fiskebol sooner.
| Heart | 6 | Comment | 0 | Link |
Another cyclist arrives, Kristin a Norwegian solo cycling. She is a piano and music theory teacher. We have a good time visiting, Patrick checks out her bike when she tells of a strange noise that happens while climbing in the lowest gear, but everything is new and looks okay and properly adjusted. Kristin still navigates with paper maps and as cyclists do, as we wait, information is shared about routes. She has done many tours in Norway and knows the area. The sprinkling of rain starts just as we are boarding, and on the ferry we watch the storm coming toward us.
The ferry crossing is a quick 25 minutes and we all ride to the bakery for sandwiches, pastry and coffee. Kristin is off quicker than us with a destination to Adennes today another 150km. We will take two more days to get there. Just as we are leaving two French cyclists stop at the bakery, they are going south and have just ridden from Stokmarknes. They stayed at the campground we are heading for but had a cabin.
At this point we have two choices of routes to Stokmarknes. The EV1 is a longer distance on the west side of the island. Since the weather is cloudy and rainy with limited views of scenery, we again choose to take the shorter route.
Entering town we stop for extra supplies, tomorrow being Sunday, shops might be closed. We ride over another high bridge to the campground. There’s a sloping grassy area with a view and with rain threatening, we quickly pitch the tent.
| Heart | 2 | Comment | 1 | Link |
| Heart | 4 | Comment | 0 | Link |
The rain starts, more cyclists arrive and we stay in the tent listening to the rain drops. We eat dinner at the associated hotel and joined by another Norwegian cyclist.
Today's ride: 42 km (26 miles)
Total: 1,196 km (743 miles)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 6 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 0 |