Cycle touring from Trondheim to Lillehammer
Pictures from this summer’s bicycle touring trip with my partner Marie. The only thing that was decided before leaving was that we would cycle from Trondheim to Brekstad on the first day. After that, we decided to cycle south as the weather seemed a bit better and because it would be easier to get back to Oslo.
We cycled around 1000km, averaging around 75km per day. First along the coast, then east over the mountains. We had fully loaded mountain bikes weighing 35-38kg with enough food and water for 2-3 days. We spent 8 nights in my tiny tent, 2 at family and friends’, the rest in hotels/cabins booked the same day. Each morning we would look at the weather forecast and the map to look for our next destination. If you click on the maps below you can have a closer look at the route and elevation profile.
For pictures, I carried a Ricoh GR2 (28mm), a Ricoh GR3x (40mm) and a DJI Mini 3 Pro drone.
Day 1: Trondheim to Brekstad
Arrived early morning in Trondheim before all coffee shops were opened. Cycled through light rain in the morning before the clouds cleared. Visited Eirik, Marie’s brother and spent the night at her grandmother Else’s place.
Day 2: Brekstad to Hitra and Fjellværøya
From Brekstad we took a ferry to the island Hitra where we had lunch before continuing to Fjellværøya were we put up our tent at Fjorbruket farm.
Day 3: from Fjellværøya to Kristiansund
Got up early and cycled all the way to Kristiansund where we stayed at a friend’s place. Sunny, but quite hilly for being a bike ride along the coast!
Day 4: From Kristiansund to the Atlantic Ocean Road
Took a shorter day today. Had to take a bus after Kristiansund to avoid a tunnel and put our tent in someone’s garden. Slight rain parts of the day.
Day 5: From the Atlantic Ocean Road to near Molde
Tailwinds, a great lunch in Bryggjen i Bud, then a climb to end the day
Day 6: from near Molde to near Eidsbygda
The rainiest day of the trip. Started with a long downhill, then it started raining and we went into Isfjorden in pouring rain. On the southern side of the fjord there was a long and beautiful section on a gravel road. Stayed in a camping near Eidsbygda to dry our shoes and clothes.
Day 7: Åndalsnes and Trollstigen
Better weather today. Had an awesome lunch at Sødalshuset in Åndalsnes before the ascension of the mythical Trollstigen. The downhill section to Valldal was a bit disappointing because of a slight headwind and because it wasn’t really steep enough to get really fast speeds.
Day 8: “rest” day in Eidsdal
Although this was supposed to be a rest day, we cycled 500m of elevation (partly on trails) to get to our destination. Rented a beautiful cabin to chill the whole afternoon and evening. We even got to wash our bibs!
Make Day 9: from Eidsdal to Reinheimen via Geiranger
Got up early to get the best weather. Beautiful sea of clouds over Geirangerfjorden. Did 1384m of elevation gain today. The climb up from Geiranger was the longest climb of the whole trip!
Day 10: from Reinheimen to Grov
Had a good night’s rest in a hotel after yesterday’s climbing. The sideroad down to Lom and the valley leading to Otta was beautiful. Great lunch at Brimibue. Ended up staying in a shelter/“gapahuk” of a local sports club near Grov. The last climb up route 51 was brutal!
Day 11: from Grov to Bygdin
Started early after a rather cold night. Continued along the beautiful road 51 over Valdresflya and near Besseggen. We were chased by rainy clouds, but they never caught us! Spent the night in charmin Bygdin Høifiellshotell, which had a sauna.
Day 12: along the Milky way from Bygdin to near Gålå
Spent the whole day on gravel roads (Melkeveien / Jotunheimveien) and vast landscapes. Found a scenic spot to pitch the tent for the night.
Day 13: towards Gålå, along Per Gynt veien to Lillehammer
Last day of the trip! Another day with lots of gravel roads. Spent the night in the tent in a not so great camping place in Lillehammer.
