August 4, 2024
Day 34: Forselv to Arctic Fjord
A Tale of Two Hills
“There’s actually a café, and it’s open even on Sunday,” Rachel says as we arrive in Burfjord. It’s been a long day with a few 50 meter bumps, two big climbs and a high bridge. We’d planned to stop at the gas station and are happy to find the café.
We start out early, up at six and on the road by seven. The sky is blue and we make good progress to the first tunnel and the big hill of 400 meters. Cyclists are not allowed in the 2.5km tunnel, the old road functions as a bike path. We stop for a food break before tackling the climb. It’s slow going for Rachel, even with Patrick taking the sleeping bags that she usually carries.
| Heart | 2 | Comment | 0 | Link |
| Heart | 4 | Comment | 0 | Link |
We briefly go back onto the main road until the second tunnel where again we are directed off the main road. With beautiful views of the fjords and mountains we reach Kvaenangsfjellet 401 m.o.h. (Above sea level). There is a rest stop where we take a food break and enjoy the view. On the descent there is a lonely reindeer in the road.
The second hill, 300meter climb, comes much too early for Rachel. Barb's voice from spin class, "pulling back on those pedals," helped on the second hill to keep going. But with a climb there is a reward of a descent (yes, Barb there are downhills). We drop down into Burfjord and stop at the café. In the staging for the next couple of days, we are carrying a meal for tonight, however, tomorrow we will camp a few km before the next store. Patrick planned to ride to the store and back to camp. We figured we are 8-10km from tonight’s campground, we could eat our big meal at the café, and light dinner of tuna fish and cheese, saving the planned meal for tomorrow night. So we go for ice cream first, then burgers and fries.
We make it to Arctic Fjord Campground around 2:30pm. We elect not to go all the way down to the beach to camp, up higher on a meadow with a nice table and chairs where we pitch our tent.
Today's ride: 71 km (44 miles)
Total: 1,686 km (1,047 miles)
| Rate this entry's writing | Heart | 6 |
| Comment on this entry | Comment | 0 |