so nice!
What gearing did you have on this trip?
Do you wish you had a lower gear at times?(/I read that you ended up pushing the bike a few times =P )
Would love to do something similiar.

/Michael

I used mountain bike 2x10 gearing, but not super low chainrings. 42/28.  I didn't really want anything lower, it would have been too slow on the roads in between the mountains. Mikkel used slightly higher gearing but carried far less gear.

Just search my name, Joe Newton.

Little bit more than the Purbecks, sure!

I don't have a GPX route, but you can find me on Strava and download each day's route from there.

Early September would be a great time to visit. Less crowded, no bugs and before the snow. Autumnal colours might be starting to come through at the higher elevations.

Hey Justin,

Thanks.

1) Yes, Norway can be expensive for a visitor. Some things really catch people by surprise, like €10 pints. I'm used to it now, I've been living here for several years.
2) Midges and mosquitoes can be a huge problem in certain areas and in certain years. Thankfully on this trip they weren't really a problem. A shelter with good bug protection is recommended.
3) Drivers here are far more thoughtful than those in the UK. The problem can be that 'major' roads in Norway are often single lane highways, twisting through the countryside. Lights, hi-viz clothing and good route planning will keep you safer.

I don't like the reward facing clamp on the Avid levers. I find it sticks out too much and gets in the way of my thumb or palm, depending on how I'm holding the bars. I prefer the Shimano cable levers. Work great and the clamp bolt is tucked away. The clamp is also hinged, which makes moving/installing them a snap. Money no object? Those Paul Component Love Levers look mighty fine...

Back in the summer we rode a route linking the 5 highest roads in Norway. I've just got around to putting some words and images together:

https://thunderinthenight.exposure.co/high-five-ride

Enjoy!

Tomikoo, the Rondanestien, which is what the second half of the trip is, is a pretty well known hiking trail in Norway. If you Google 'Rondanestien gps track', you'll find one.

Joe Cruz has posted his video from our fatbike bikepacking trip through Norway last summer.

You can watch it on Vimeo here: https://vimeo.com/164750354

(Sorry for the temporary thread hijack)

Norm, is that a 650b conversion? Been looking to do a 650b and flat bar conversion on my steel Vaya.

If you're bikepacking is going to be 'light', then I would go with the lighter, carbon bike. Seat-pack, frame-pack and a handlebar roll and you've got summer bikepacking trips covered. You can always add a small backpack if you need extra volume for a particular trip. For extended touring and winter bikepacking, then extra bosses become a consideration.

Great article, thanks Mike!

We heard of another rider attempting this route on the 29x3 platform, but he skipped some sections due to the rockiness. Even with 26x4 tires, we pushed our bikes quite a bit. If I was to do this route again, I would put 5inch tires on. It's a long distance hiking trail, with a low volume of traffic. It's a real 'adventure by bike' route, meaning the route is challenging in places. But when the trail is sweet, it's very, very sweet.

That's the route we followed in the summer, just in reverse, starting at the edge of the Rondane national park (no riding bikes on foot trails in the national parks). There's a link to Mikkel's website in my blog post, he's the man to ask about the GPS file we used.

Thanks for the kind words, bmike-vt!

Back in the summer, Joe Cruz, Mikkel Bølstad and I set about riding the Rondanestien hiking trail for 10 days, from the Rondane mountains, to the capital city, Oslo.

Part One of my photo essay is posted:

https://thunderinthenight.exposure.co/standing-on-the-hands-of-pilgrims

Yes, kinda.

Your second set, 29er wheels, will have to be built on fatbike hubs (wider) that fit your fatbike frame.

Stunning.

Is Lael riding home?

I was thinking the same thing. It really wouldn't surprise me.

Less than a hundred miles to go for Lael.

Amazing ride.