Firstly thank you for posting your video... I completed the trail with my son ( who arranged everything) last week in September. Your ride from Geilo duplicated our first days ride plus the miles we did before Geilo from Oslo direction... Geilo was our coffee stop etc. before pressing on to Haugastol..Unlike you my son had arranged the stop at Haugestol for our overnight stay at the hostel.. The ride on the trail was amongst the most scenic routes of my 73 years of life and my lifetime of cycling... This includes all countries of the UK , the French Alps, and the Italian Dolomites... The Rallarvegen was certainly the highlight of my later years... Thanks to your video I can now return to the trip in the comfort of my home in Scotland....We did have a second night out on the trail closer to Myrdal..... The final section of the trail was outstanding, which was the section you didnt film.. When we rode that section the tree colours ( mainly golden beech ) was out of this world as were the vistas and waterfalls... Perhaps when you do return there you will get to film that final section..... I look forward to that possibility... By that time perhaps my cycling days will be over... but then again, perhaps not.... Time alone will tell.... at the time of writing, I have no plans to stop...
I really regret not filming the last stretch and I really do hope to go back and revisit this route again one day. It is indeed a stunning route, scenic, majestic, inspiring. I have many memories from the end of that day but no pictures or videos due to just being so tired by the final part. I'm glad you enjoyed the video and I hope you have many more great cycling adventures lined up in the future
@@JethroJessop Returning to film the final section should give you a huge insensitive to get back and do again... I thought your filming was very good and too your narrative as you rode... Incidentally may I ask where you are from as I couldn't place your accent... Normally I am very good at accents, but I couldn't decide on yours...
@@Ed30675 thank you, I'm glad you liked it. I'm from Reading. I never thought I had a particularly Reading accent but I've been told by some that I do.
It was amazing indeed. Don't think it was really that dangerous, just somewhat unexpected. Today I ride up another big mountain but this one is all on tarmac so no snow to deal with I'm assured
If you ever get the chance then do it! Norway is amazing for cycling and this particular route is well worth a visit. I'd go back and do it again in a shot. I wish I'd done a better job of filming the later portion because as hard it was it was a stunning ride!
So you basically did the entire Rallarvegen i 1 day? Wow! It took me 3 days last week (Haugastøl-Finse, Finse-Vatnahalsen, Vatnahalsen-Flåm) and it still felt tough but I'm not experienced in biking a mtb and this was my first long trip on a bike but now I know that I'd like to do many more trips like this. Amazing that you completed the route despite the hardships. There was snow on the way up the hill between Finse and Vatnahalsen and there were at least 3 times when I had to carry my bike but I can imagine that there was even deeper snow when you were there. Well done and thanks for the video!
To be honest I wish I had taken longer. I should have camped up there and enjoyed the amazing landscape a bit more but I genuinely got a bit worried when I started hitting all that snow and just wanted to get it done. The day after I was absolutely broken and just hung around in Flåm recovering 😉 It is an amazing trip to do as your first! A real adventure. I'm glad you enjoyed it and that it fired up the desire for more. Have you got any plans for where the next one might take you?
It was amazing to be up there alone and with such good weather but there were times that I was very aware of the fact that no one knew where I was and I had no phone reception. Think I'll look into getting a Spot Tracker before doing another solo wilderness ride.
@@JethroJessop Good point. It's so easy to loose oneself in those views while laying on couch at home and forget all the hard elements involved on actually getting there.
Thank you. I'm really glad you enjoy the vids, especially the rambling ones 😉 they are the most fun to make. Hopefully there will be a few new ones coming soon. Watch this space!
Such a great trail! Probably the one that I'm most keen to do again if I ever get the chance. It was amazing to do it out of season and have it to myself but I'd check the conditions next time 😉
Great video Jethro, you really caught the atmosphere. I did it a few years ago on a full sus XC bike which was perfect. I caught the train up from Flåm and rode back from Finse. Like you I was too early in the season so had snow fields to cope with, not fun in SPDs, so I felt your pain! In July/August you can hire bikes in Finse which is probably the easiest way to experience it. Finse has no roads so the only way in is by train or bike in summer.
It must have been great on a full sus though I'd have ended up in a ravine if I'd attempted it with SPDs 😉 I loved it, one of the most memorable rides I've ever done - even without the snow - I'd love to do it again and I'd probably go out of season again too. Having it all to myself was worth the hardship I think. With a lighter load and fatter tyres I'd be on it again in a flash. Fingers crossed for another long tour in the future.
@@JethroJessop Just came back from it. What a nice trail man... and the weather was glorious. After each part of it (I stopped at Finse, and continued the next day). An icy cold bath in Finse and then in Flåm is highly recommended to release toxins from the muscles. Just perfect two day trip.
Finse is built as a station where the trains must cross each other, today it takes place in a tunnel after Finse. At the same time, Fines was originally intended to be used as an emergency hostel if something happened to the trains so they could not run on. Finse is today the highest point on the course. In the past, people in Finland were prepared for snow removal of the stretch over the high mountains. This meant that the snow thrower, which was steam-powered in the winter, was always ready to be put in, so it was fired up. Today, it still stands on the mound around the Bergen line at Finse.
Ah wow, that is some good local knowledge. I did wonder about the trains because I saw snow covered track up top then saw a train lower down and figured there must be multiple lines. It's an amazing place and a really great ride. Definitely one I'll do again if I get the chance! (I'd look out for the steam powered snow thrower as well, that sounds awesome!)
@@JethroJessop To understand the work it was to construct the railway, how much of the tunnels of the original railway line have been carved out by hand. What a job it is to keep it open, then a visit to the mousse at Finse is really good. rallarmuseet.no/en/?.com& If you would like to know a little more about the trip, planning, etc. then there is good information to get here. www.norwaysbest.com/no/inspirasjon/sykle-rallarvegen-fra-finse-til-flam/?gclid=CjwKCAjwu5CDBhB9EiwA0w6sLVfotfHq8G-ig5a8xb56xmqioQlzStx8NUgevTYZhzIzfGT-4ncb5BoC3akQAvD_BwE
I went touring round Norway many many years ago...( was the year of foot and mouth) anyway Rallarvegen was under 6 foot of snow when me and my mate arrived..mission not accomplished!!
Blimey, I don't blame you for knocking that one on the head! I was pretty close to the opening date but it was still about the limit of what I could reasonably manage in a day. I'd love to go back and do it again though ;) Did you ever get to revisit and finish what you started?
@@JethroJessop never managed to go back, lovely place though. I was living in Newcastle at the time and you could get a ferry to Bergen. Only problem was everywhere you camped had a bloody waterfall keeping you awake all night!!
@@andyedwards7800 Ah yeah, they do like their roaring waterfalls in Norway ;) Its such a pity that the ferries all got cancelled between UK and the Scandi ports. I dislike flying for all kinds of reasons and I'd love to see a world where trains and ferries played a bigger part in all journeys.
I wouldn't want to say absolutely yes because I imagine the conditions can be different year to year. I can recommend doing it early if you are up for the challenge. It is a stunning ride and other than a couple of guys working in Finse and some hikers in the distance I had it all to myself which was truly amazing. There was only one steep snow bank where I actually felt worried but with two people to lug gear and help manhandle bikes it would have been loads easier. I also burned a lot of energy pushing through the snow which I imagine would have been a lot easier on a fatty. All I will say is that if I was in the area at that time of year, I would do it again. But I'd probably take a SPOT tracker or something. There is absolutely no reception for most of the way and although it is a well marked route it is still the mountains with all the extremes of weather that that brings. As with all adventures, go easy, don't take risks, have a great ride. And if you do it - report back and let me know how it goes :)
Hey Jethro, I'm considering doing the Rallarweg in August en route to Bergen where I intend to tour from Bergen to Oslo along the Eurovelo12 route. Would be on a touring bike with panniers and kit. Will that set up be appropriate for the Rallarweg or would it only be fun/sensible to do it on a mountain bike as they advertise through the Norwegian tourism agency? Keen to hear what you would advise. :)
I would say the first section (as I did it) from Haugastøl to Finnse would be ok on most bikes. It is gravel and there are a few rough sections but generally the surface seemed good and it isn't too much of a hard climb either. From Finnse down to Flåm though it got pretty rough. Lots of ruts, pot holes, sections of loose rock. It is much steeper as well. I was on a hardtail mountinabike (front and rear panniers) with 2.75 inch tyres and I wouldn't have wanted to do it with less. That said, I did it out of season while it was still officially closed and a lot of the damage to the road was obviously seasonal due to runoff from the melting snow. Lower down I passed work crews beginning to patch up the bad sections ready for the summer so I assume that I experienced it at its worst in terms of surface conditions. I guess really it depends on what you are comfortable riding with whatever rig you are on. If you are geared up for road then I'd avoid it but otherwise I'd say give it a go and just be prepared to take it easy. The worst that will happen is you end up pushing some sections and have to camp up there (or get the train down from Finnse) It is an amazing route if you can do it, especially if the weather turns out for you. If you do it then let me know how it goes :)
I found this out long after I'd visited. I do remember spotting a higher than average number of star wars stickers scattered around but I didn't think much of it at the time. Just reiterates how little I planned and researched this ride 😉
Not a chance. It is almost entirely pretty rough gravel with sections of loose rock and some pretty wet stretches as well. I think they probably tidy it up for the summer season but even then I'd imagine you'd want at least 2.5" tyres. If you are in the area on a road bike though I'd recommend renting an MTB and doing the route because it is a really good one. Think you could rent bikes at one end, ride it and then get the train back. Well worth it in my opinion
@@JethroJessop thanks for the reply mate! I think renting the gravel or mountain bike like you say is the best bet! Looks unbelievable.. how was the temperature camping out at night?
@@goob5568 I did the whole route in a day so I didn't camp up on the trail itself. It can get pretty chilly up there even in the summer but with a decent sleeping bag I reckon you'd be fine. I kind of regret not spending the night up there but I was caught off guard by the amount of snow and just wanted to get out the other side
Epic video of Rallarvegen! With your pannier bag set up, how much weight did you carry on your bike when you cycled Rallarvegen? I have 30 lbs worth of items in pannier bags and was wondering if that would be too heavy? Or do you feel it would be better to leave your belongings at one of the hostels?
I have no idea to be honest. I've never weighed my set up so I couldn't even hazard a guess. I pack pretty heavy though and had a lot of food with me on this one. I think it depends entirely on your preference. If you rode this in season then I think weight wouldn't really be an issue going the way I did as the climbing was pretty minimal.
@@CandidZulu Can't remember the specifics beyond it being a 3x9. The way I did it - ending in Flåm - gearing isn't a huge issue as the climbs are really gentle. If you did it the other way then the climb up out of Flåm might require some thought - that would be am absolute killer climb!
No way?? Are you kidding? I just googled and you are spot on. This actually makes sense because I remember seeing a few Rebel Alliance logos scattered around on benches and things. If only I'd known I could have done some awful Star Wars impressions :)
I couldn't say for sure. I came up from Grimstad so that's all I know. My route basically just followed national cycle routes (3, 5, 4) so I'd start with them if I were you. I use opencyclemap.org/ and find it a really good resource. Looks like from Oslo you could head NW to Hønefoss then continue NW to join the national route 4 at Gulsvik (the N tip of the lake Krøderen). Route 4 takes you up to Gol then swings west to Geilo and becomes the Rallarvegen shortly after. That would be mostly on roads. There looks to be some options of cutting corners and getting into the forest at a few points but I found that small roads in Norway have a tendency to wind up a valley for miles and then just end with massive cliffs on every side. Proceed with caution, watch out for trolls and keep me posted if you do this ride. I absolutely loved riding in Norway and really want to come back and do more soon!
@@JethroJessop thanks for the tips. Will definitely look into those options! For me this is part of my EuroVelo12. From what I understood from other is that cycling along the coast of Norway keeps you stuck in car traffic. So that is why I opt for going inland as everybody claims that the Rallarvegen is beautiful to ride. So that is the plan.
@@jaapscheele9677 I met a few people who had done the coast road and said it was really beautiful but as you say - sometimes crowded. I loved my trip inland. Amazing views, waterfalls, forests. And the Rallarvegen was amazing - one of the most memorable rides I've done. As I said before, if you set off on any new roads just check they actually go somewhere and don't just end in a little cluster of cottages leaving you to backtrack. Some of those long valleys go on for miles but have no way out at the top.
There is also the possibility of going the opposite way. Drive to Flåm, and bring your own bike. Ride (or take the Flåmsbana) to Myrdal/Vatnahalsen, and continue up to Finse. Early in the morning you will have the valley for your self, and you experience the valley up at slow speed. Easy to turn around if the weather deteriorates, and then you sort of know the way out. Bring windproof clothes, charged phone and "enough" puncture patches, and wear a helmet. Bring water, there might be dead mice or lemmings floating around. Have a nice trip!
Glad you made it in one piece 😊 I did this ride last sunday in august this year on a e-bike and of course it was a sundays trip compared to what you went through 😅 I filmed the whole trip: ua-cam.com/video/1cHfo7IUbSY/v-deo.html
It is such a fantastic route, I really hope to revisit it again one day. I started watching your vid but I'm supposed to be doing some boring admin so I'll have to come back to it to finish another time - it is already making me want to go out on the bike again though :)
Firstly thank you for posting your video... I completed the trail with my son ( who arranged everything) last week in September. Your ride from Geilo duplicated our first days ride plus the miles we did before Geilo from Oslo direction... Geilo was our coffee stop etc. before pressing on to Haugastol..Unlike you my son had arranged the stop at Haugestol for our overnight stay at the hostel.. The ride on the trail was amongst the most scenic routes of my 73 years of life and my lifetime of cycling... This includes all countries of the UK , the French Alps, and the Italian Dolomites... The Rallarvegen was certainly the highlight of my later years... Thanks to your video I can now return to the trip in the comfort of my home in Scotland....We did have a second night out on the trail closer to Myrdal..... The final section of the trail was outstanding, which was the section you didnt film.. When we rode that section the tree colours ( mainly golden beech ) was out of this world as were the vistas and waterfalls... Perhaps when you do return there you will get to film that final section..... I look forward to that possibility... By that time perhaps my cycling days will be over... but then again, perhaps not.... Time alone will tell.... at the time of writing, I have no plans to stop...
I really regret not filming the last stretch and I really do hope to go back and revisit this route again one day.
It is indeed a stunning route, scenic, majestic, inspiring. I have many memories from the end of that day but no pictures or videos due to just being so tired by the final part.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video and I hope you have many more great cycling adventures lined up in the future
@@JethroJessop Returning to film the final section should give you a huge insensitive to get back and do again... I thought your filming was very good and too your narrative as you rode...
Incidentally may I ask where you are from as I couldn't place your accent... Normally I am very good at accents, but I couldn't decide on yours...
@@Ed30675 thank you, I'm glad you liked it.
I'm from Reading. I never thought I had a particularly Reading accent but I've been told by some that I do.
Epic and heroic effort Jethro, great shots, amazing scenery totally wild!
I'm full of admiration.
Keep on truckin'.
Phil.
Hardest ride I've ever done but one of the most spectacular as well. Only minimally scary 😃🚴♂️
Such a good series, very much enjoying it - thank you
Thank you. It was a fantastic trip, an adventure I'll never forget for sure.
I'm really pleased you are enjoying the videos, thanks for the support 😀
Great job ! great scenery ! best video ive seen of yours , take care
On s day like that in that kind of landscape is hard to make a bad film or take a bad picture. It was an amazing ride
So pleased you survived the Rallarvegen! Hard work methinks, hope the following days are less tricky.
Looks amazing, phew....
It was amazing indeed. Don't think it was really that dangerous, just somewhat unexpected. Today I ride up another big mountain but this one is all on tarmac so no snow to deal with I'm assured
Most excellent video thank you and another ride added to my list!
If you ever get the chance then do it! Norway is amazing for cycling and this particular route is well worth a visit. I'd go back and do it again in a shot.
I wish I'd done a better job of filming the later portion because as hard it was it was a stunning ride!
So you basically did the entire Rallarvegen i 1 day? Wow! It took me 3 days last week (Haugastøl-Finse, Finse-Vatnahalsen, Vatnahalsen-Flåm) and it still felt tough but I'm not experienced in biking a mtb and this was my first long trip on a bike but now I know that I'd like to do many more trips like this. Amazing that you completed the route despite the hardships. There was snow on the way up the hill between Finse and Vatnahalsen and there were at least 3 times when I had to carry my bike but I can imagine that there was even deeper snow when you were there. Well done and thanks for the video!
To be honest I wish I had taken longer. I should have camped up there and enjoyed the amazing landscape a bit more but I genuinely got a bit worried when I started hitting all that snow and just wanted to get it done.
The day after I was absolutely broken and just hung around in Flåm recovering 😉
It is an amazing trip to do as your first! A real adventure.
I'm glad you enjoyed it and that it fired up the desire for more.
Have you got any plans for where the next one might take you?
The vast emptiness. Perfect timing with so few people around, like you had place just for yourself. Love it
It was amazing to be up there alone and with such good weather but there were times that I was very aware of the fact that no one knew where I was and I had no phone reception. Think I'll look into getting a Spot Tracker before doing another solo wilderness ride.
@@JethroJessop Good point. It's so easy to loose oneself in those views while laying on couch at home and forget all the hard elements involved on actually getting there.
Excellent video. Respect
Thank you. That was a hard day but a very memorable one. I hope to do that route again one day
Like your rides and stories. Especially that bit of W,W,W,W,W insight you shared later on 👍😊.
Thank you. I'm really glad you enjoy the vids, especially the rambling ones 😉 they are the most fun to make.
Hopefully there will be a few new ones coming soon. Watch this space!
@@JethroJessop Cool man. Looking forward to it.
Hi Jethro. Yep I did it in July this year. It was amazing and not quite as tough in July 🤠🤠
Such a great trail! Probably the one that I'm most keen to do again if I ever get the chance. It was amazing to do it out of season and have it to myself but I'd check the conditions next time 😉
Great video Jethro, you really caught the atmosphere. I did it a few years ago on a full sus XC bike which was perfect. I caught the train up from Flåm and rode back from Finse. Like you I was too early in the season so had snow fields to cope with, not fun in SPDs, so I felt your pain! In July/August you can hire bikes in Finse which is probably the easiest way to experience it. Finse has no roads so the only way in is by train or bike in summer.
It must have been great on a full sus though I'd have ended up in a ravine if I'd attempted it with SPDs 😉
I loved it, one of the most memorable rides I've ever done - even without the snow - I'd love to do it again and I'd probably go out of season again too. Having it all to myself was worth the hardship I think. With a lighter load and fatter tyres I'd be on it again in a flash. Fingers crossed for another long tour in the future.
Well done!
I will do it with friends in August!
You will enjoy it. It's an amazing trail. I hope you get good weather when you are there
@@JethroJessop Just came back from it. What a nice trail man... and the weather was glorious. After each part of it (I stopped at Finse, and continued the next day). An icy cold bath in Finse and then in Flåm is highly recommended to release toxins from the muscles. Just perfect two day trip.
@@alketterer I bet it was icy cold! Was there still snow up there?
Glad you had a good ride.
Finse is built as a station where the trains must cross each other, today it takes place in a tunnel after Finse.
At the same time, Fines was originally intended to be used as an emergency hostel if something happened to the trains so they could not run on.
Finse is today the highest point on the course. In the past, people in Finland were prepared for snow removal of the stretch over the high mountains. This meant that the snow thrower, which was steam-powered in the winter, was always ready to be put in, so it was fired up. Today, it still stands on the mound around the Bergen line at Finse.
Ah wow, that is some good local knowledge. I did wonder about the trains because I saw snow covered track up top then saw a train lower down and figured there must be multiple lines.
It's an amazing place and a really great ride. Definitely one I'll do again if I get the chance! (I'd look out for the steam powered snow thrower as well, that sounds awesome!)
@@JethroJessop To understand the work it was to construct the railway, how much of the tunnels of the original railway line have been carved out by hand. What a job it is to keep it open, then a visit to the mousse at Finse is really good.
rallarmuseet.no/en/?.com&
If you would like to know a little more about the trip, planning, etc. then there is good information to get here.
www.norwaysbest.com/no/inspirasjon/sykle-rallarvegen-fra-finse-til-flam/?gclid=CjwKCAjwu5CDBhB9EiwA0w6sLVfotfHq8G-ig5a8xb56xmqioQlzStx8NUgevTYZhzIzfGT-4ncb5BoC3akQAvD_BwE
@@larsmadsen4177 Good stuff, thank you.
I'll look over these later
I went touring round Norway many many years ago...( was the year of foot and mouth) anyway Rallarvegen was under 6 foot of snow when me and my mate arrived..mission not accomplished!!
Blimey, I don't blame you for knocking that one on the head!
I was pretty close to the opening date but it was still about the limit of what I could reasonably manage in a day.
I'd love to go back and do it again though ;)
Did you ever get to revisit and finish what you started?
@@JethroJessop never managed to go back, lovely place though. I was living in Newcastle at the time and you could get a ferry to Bergen. Only problem was everywhere you camped had a bloody waterfall keeping you awake all night!!
@@andyedwards7800 Ah yeah, they do like their roaring waterfalls in Norway ;)
Its such a pity that the ferries all got cancelled between UK and the Scandi ports. I dislike flying for all kinds of reasons and I'd love to see a world where trains and ferries played a bigger part in all journeys.
Great video and advice. Do you think it would go ok with a friend + fatbike? Quite tempting be on it early without so many other people around.
I wouldn't want to say absolutely yes because I imagine the conditions can be different year to year.
I can recommend doing it early if you are up for the challenge. It is a stunning ride and other than a couple of guys working in Finse and some hikers in the distance I had it all to myself which was truly amazing.
There was only one steep snow bank where I actually felt worried but with two people to lug gear and help manhandle bikes it would have been loads easier. I also burned a lot of energy pushing through the snow which I imagine would have been a lot easier on a fatty.
All I will say is that if I was in the area at that time of year, I would do it again.
But I'd probably take a SPOT tracker or something. There is absolutely no reception for most of the way and although it is a well marked route it is still the mountains with all the extremes of weather that that brings.
As with all adventures, go easy, don't take risks, have a great ride.
And if you do it - report back and let me know how it goes :)
Hey Jethro, I'm considering doing the Rallarweg in August en route to Bergen where I intend to tour from Bergen to Oslo along the Eurovelo12 route. Would be on a touring bike with panniers and kit. Will that set up be appropriate for the Rallarweg or would it only be fun/sensible to do it on a mountain bike as they advertise through the Norwegian tourism agency? Keen to hear what you would advise. :)
I would say the first section (as I did it) from Haugastøl to Finnse would be ok on most bikes. It is gravel and there are a few rough sections but generally the surface seemed good and it isn't too much of a hard climb either.
From Finnse down to Flåm though it got pretty rough. Lots of ruts, pot holes, sections of loose rock. It is much steeper as well.
I was on a hardtail mountinabike (front and rear panniers) with 2.75 inch tyres and I wouldn't have wanted to do it with less.
That said, I did it out of season while it was still officially closed and a lot of the damage to the road was obviously seasonal due to runoff from the melting snow.
Lower down I passed work crews beginning to patch up the bad sections ready for the summer so I assume that I experienced it at its worst in terms of surface conditions.
I guess really it depends on what you are comfortable riding with whatever rig you are on. If you are geared up for road then I'd avoid it but otherwise I'd say give it a go and just be prepared to take it easy. The worst that will happen is you end up pushing some sections and have to camp up there (or get the train down from Finnse)
It is an amazing route if you can do it, especially if the weather turns out for you. If you do it then let me know how it goes :)
Finse is actually the place where they filmed the famous Snow planet Hoth scenes of Star Wars.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoth
I found this out long after I'd visited.
I do remember spotting a higher than average number of star wars stickers scattered around but I didn't think much of it at the time.
Just reiterates how little I planned and researched this ride 😉
Hey mate, great video. Do you think it would be possible to cycle this route on a road bike?
Not a chance. It is almost entirely pretty rough gravel with sections of loose rock and some pretty wet stretches as well.
I think they probably tidy it up for the summer season but even then I'd imagine you'd want at least 2.5" tyres.
If you are in the area on a road bike though I'd recommend renting an MTB and doing the route because it is a really good one. Think you could rent bikes at one end, ride it and then get the train back. Well worth it in my opinion
@@JethroJessop thanks for the reply mate! I think renting the gravel or mountain bike like you say is the best bet! Looks unbelievable.. how was the temperature camping out at night?
@@goob5568 I did the whole route in a day so I didn't camp up on the trail itself. It can get pretty chilly up there even in the summer but with a decent sleeping bag I reckon you'd be fine. I kind of regret not spending the night up there but I was caught off guard by the amount of snow and just wanted to get out the other side
Epic video of Rallarvegen! With your pannier bag set up, how much weight did you carry on your bike when you cycled Rallarvegen? I have 30 lbs worth of items in pannier bags and was wondering if that would be too heavy? Or do you feel it would be better to leave your belongings at one of the hostels?
I have no idea to be honest. I've never weighed my set up so I couldn't even hazard a guess.
I pack pretty heavy though and had a lot of food with me on this one.
I think it depends entirely on your preference. If you rode this in season then I think weight wouldn't really be an issue going the way I did as the climbing was pretty minimal.
what sort of gearing did you use?@@JethroJessop
@@CandidZulu Can't remember the specifics beyond it being a 3x9. The way I did it - ending in Flåm - gearing isn't a huge issue as the climbs are really gentle. If you did it the other way then the climb up out of Flåm might require some thought - that would be am absolute killer climb!
Type 2 fun, buddy, type 2 fun.
That it was. Definitely a trail I'll do again if the chance presents itself
Finse is where they filmed Planet Hoth in the Empire Strikes Back
No way?? Are you kidding?
I just googled and you are spot on. This actually makes sense because I remember seeing a few Rebel Alliance logos scattered around on benches and things.
If only I'd known I could have done some awful Star Wars impressions :)
@@JethroJessop I think some random chewbacca impression sprinkled around would have made a great joke :D
@@harpr5 Definitely. Next time (I would love to ride it again) I'll be all over that!
@@JethroJessop let me know, I'm day and half away from there on the bike
@@harpr5 ok, it's a deal! I really hope I can take you up on it one day
What kind of route would you recommend coming from Oslo to the start of the Rallarvegen?
I couldn't say for sure. I came up from Grimstad so that's all I know.
My route basically just followed national cycle routes (3, 5, 4) so I'd start with them if I were you. I use opencyclemap.org/ and find it a really good resource.
Looks like from Oslo you could head NW to Hønefoss then continue NW to join the national route 4 at Gulsvik (the N tip of the lake Krøderen).
Route 4 takes you up to Gol then swings west to Geilo and becomes the Rallarvegen shortly after.
That would be mostly on roads. There looks to be some options of cutting corners and getting into the forest at a few points but I found that small roads in Norway have a tendency to wind up a valley for miles and then just end with massive cliffs on every side.
Proceed with caution, watch out for trolls and keep me posted if you do this ride. I absolutely loved riding in Norway and really want to come back and do more soon!
@@JethroJessop thanks for the tips. Will definitely look into those options!
For me this is part of my EuroVelo12. From what I understood from other is that cycling along the coast of Norway keeps you stuck in car traffic. So that is why I opt for going inland as everybody claims that the Rallarvegen is beautiful to ride. So that is the plan.
@@jaapscheele9677 I met a few people who had done the coast road and said it was really beautiful but as you say - sometimes crowded.
I loved my trip inland. Amazing views, waterfalls, forests. And the Rallarvegen was amazing - one of the most memorable rides I've done.
As I said before, if you set off on any new roads just check they actually go somewhere and don't just end in a little cluster of cottages leaving you to backtrack. Some of those long valleys go on for miles but have no way out at the top.
There is also the possibility of going the opposite way. Drive to Flåm, and bring your own bike. Ride (or take the Flåmsbana) to Myrdal/Vatnahalsen, and continue up to Finse. Early in the morning you will have the valley for your self, and you experience the valley up at slow speed. Easy to turn around if the weather deteriorates, and then you sort of know the way out. Bring windproof clothes, charged phone and "enough" puncture patches, and wear a helmet. Bring water, there might be dead mice or lemmings floating around. Have a nice trip!
@@haraldusterud2965 thanks!
I have postponed the trip. I’ve decided to cycle along the battlefields of WWI
Glad you made it in one piece 😊 I did this ride last sunday in august this year on a e-bike and of course it was a sundays trip compared to what you went through 😅 I filmed the whole trip: ua-cam.com/video/1cHfo7IUbSY/v-deo.html
It is such a fantastic route, I really hope to revisit it again one day.
I started watching your vid but I'm supposed to be doing some boring admin so I'll have to come back to it to finish another time - it is already making me want to go out on the bike again though :)