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Ah yes, I think someone told me that before but I'd forgotten. Zebrugge out, Rotterdam in.

 

Still work in progress but this looks like the option to explore in detail for getting to the start point. The Newcastle option was longer both in time and riding miles.

 

I'm glad I was able to point the Eemshaven option out to you. I think that'll work.

 

Yes, me too! That cuts out a lot of riding for us on the way up.

 

Well I thought as you obviously don't want to meet me I'd get you out of the country as swiftly as possible!
Just kidding, come the time I might meet you for the ride up.

 

Actually, one of the draws for taking the western route was that I know you and Hubaxe might be on the way. One of the side-benefits of the trip, that I hadn't considered before I first posted about it, is the potential opportunity to meet a few of the people from the forum along the way.

I haven't mentioned it before, because I wanted to talk to my mate first, but once we have a route fixed with dates and locations I'll publish it with an open invitation for anyone to come along for as much of the ride as they'd like or just to catch up for a beer if we're in your neighbourhood.

 

You are right on both accounts, Octoberon. The service I linked to, is indeed a truck transport. And yes, the MC News only mentions N-S transport, the article is about riders up north who want to ride in the southern parts of Norway. I automatically assumed that the company did both directions, but that is just my assumption. If you like, I can get in touch with them and ask, but I have no doubts that they will be able to handle an email in English if you want to talk to them directly. This is the contact details for the person MC News points to (Dag-Jostein Arild, head of Miniexpress Thermo Tromsø): [email protected] or +4777672299.

The page I linked to says this under the heading Priser (prices): «From terminal in Tana, Lakselv, Tromsø, Harstad or Mo i Rana, to terminal in Oslo: Per bike: 3500 NOK.» (my translation)

From Oslo Airport there are direct flights to Lakselv (SAS). Prices vary wildly. On 17th June this year, you can get a one-way ticket ranging between 498 NOK and 2221 NOK (42 to 177 UKP) – the direct flight is cheapest and it’s not even a red-eye. Let me know if you need accomodation in Oslo: From Oslo there’s 25 min by train or 45-50 min by bus to get to the airport, and the plane you want leaves 09:50 if they continue with this year’s flight schedule.

 

Thanks, I was thinking there's probably someone there who will be able to deal with my query in English, Norwegians having a reputation as being a well-educated lot. I'll drop them a line this week and see if it holds as an option. I figure if they drive the trucks down they must drive them back again, and maybe some bikers take a return trip. I'll find out.

Now I have a tentative route going north I can start to add more details, like ferry/flight schedules, costs etc. to see how we can actually put the hops together. My timings so far are pure journey times with no consideration for embarking/disembarking, hanging around in terminals and all that fun stuff. If the truck things comes off I'll also need to figure how that affects our necessary arrival time at Lakselv, or delayed start from Oslo.

Schedules and prices could change between now and the actual trip but we can sort out any adjustments nearer the time and the costs will still be a good indication for our budgeting.

 

You'd always be welcome here, couldn't put you up for lack of room, but a good meal and a couple of beers readily available!

 

It'll probably be a while before we book anything up but I'll let you know when we do, then let's see if we can sort out some beers!

 

Just keep us posted Saul, there's time yet!

 

I certainly will.

 

Yeah, I haven't had any enthusiasm to look at the consequences of the backward step we've taken with Brexit. I'm sure it's going add more paperwork, and potentially more cost.

 

Well would you look at that. If you ride due south from the top of Germany (Hamburg-ish) then you end up here, on the Austrian/Italian border.

 

I did that one some years ago. Pretty spectacular!

 

Methinks this thread is going to be so long, it's going to get to Nordkapp before you do @Octoberon

 

It's on my bucket list, as it should be on eveyone's.

 

I'd approach it from Switserland though. From Davos, take the Fluela pass followed by the Öfen pass. After that the Umbrail and then at the border hang a left to the summit of Stelvio.

 

I saw in passing, while I was looking up Stelvio things on the net, that the road from Davos is a good one so I'll map that out later.

 

Anyone got any good tips or advice for riding in Germany?