Scandinavian tour suggestions please...

Fast Eddie

Fast Eddie

VIP MEMBER
Joined
Oct 4, 2013
Messages
21,908
Country flag
Folks,

I’ve been kicking this one around in the dusty recesses of my head for a while, and lockdown has brought it to the fore once more...

I’m thinking of doing a bit of a Scandinavian motorcycle tour, hopefully next summer (covid permitting).

I hope to be able to get a ferry to Esbjerg, DK and start from there along a route something like this:

Esbjerg-Ronnerby

Ronnerby-Stockholm

Stockholm-Umea

Umea-Abisko

Abisko-Mo i Rana

Mo i Rana-Trondheim

Trondheim-Oslo

Oslo-Copenhagen

Copenhagen-Esbjerg

Can anyone advise places to go, places to stay, ‘must ride’ roads, roughly along this route?

Or have I got the route completely wrong altogether?

Theres not much in the way of specific objectives, just to see a lot of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, do some decent miles, rides some good roads through some good country, and spend a few hundred miles in the Arctic circle.

Any local knowledge much appreciated...
 
One thing you should check, if not yet done it, is the Itchy boots videos.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEIs9nkveW9WmYtsOcJBwTg
I don't think there is a passenger carrying ferry to Esbjerg anymore, better check. Most people seems to go from UK to the Netherlands, and then through Germany to Denmark.
About which time of the year do you think of? If it fits in, our annual classic race "Årsracet" in early August is well worth visiting. Classic roadracing, motocross, trials and speedway at the same venue.
 
Thanks for the link I’ll check those out.

Sometime June-August is the current plan.

I had just assumed that the current lack of ferries was a covid thing? have they been canned permanently?
 
I think it has been a couple of years without link England-Denmark.
You could also go Fredrikshamn-Oslo and up north in Norway and then over to Sweden and head south.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Folks,

I’ve been kicking this one around in the dusty recesses of my head for a while, and lockdown has brought it to the fore once more...

I’m thinking of doing a bit of a Scandinavian motorcycle tour, hopefully next summer (covid permitting).

I hope to be able to get a ferry to Esbjerg, DK and start from there along a route something like this:

Esbjerg-Ronnerby

Ronnerby-Stockholm

Stockholm-Umea

Umea-Abisko

Abisko-Mo i Rana

Mo i Rana-Trondheim

Trondheim-Oslo

Oslo-Copenhagen

Copenhagen-Esbjerg

Can anyone advise places to go, places to stay, ‘must ride’ roads, roughly along this route?

Or have I got the route completely wrong altogether?

Theres not much in the way of specific objectives, just to see a lot of Denmark, Sweden, Norway, do some decent miles, rides some good roads through some good country, and spend a few hundred miles in the Arctic circle.

Any local knowledge much appreciated...
Click to expand...
 
The main road down Norway from the Arctic circle is good, and the main things are lack of traffic, and very good surfaces/ enormous tunnels in places ( good for noise reflections).
there are some interesting ferries in fjords south of Trondheim, which give you a nice break during a days riding, and the Trollsteigen pass/ waterfall even further south is nice, though these are not alpine sized passes.
 
Sorry, just seen this thread now. Yes, the Harwich- Esbjerg ferries were canned several years ago, so you're out of luck there. If you are arriving in Jutland from Germany, you might as well carry on up to Hirtshals and take a ferry to Kristiansand (or further up to Bergen, but then you miss out on some mountain stuff), then meander up towards Trondheim (mind you, people do manage to spend a month just on this bit alone), then to Oslo or Stockholm and then south. If you are lucky with the weather, it's fantastic but rather expensive. If you are unlucky, it's fantastically horrible and very expensive :) . We became very good at making a glass of wine last an entire 3 course restaurant visit in Norway.

When you do eventually cross from Sweden to Denmark, you can do this either via ferry to Helsingør (passing Hamlet's castle on your right) or the bridge from Malmö to Copenhagen. Further on, you get to either cross the Great Belt bridge, one of the longest in Europe, or take another ferry to Germany.

Let me know how the plans are developing, hopefully we can offer you a bed and beer as part of the recovery effort :cool:

/Steve.
 
Hi Ediie,
For bike riding, Norway is arguably the most entertaining of all nordic countries.

Western Norway offers the nicest scenery in Norway, with fjords, long valleys, winding and sometimes spectacular roads, peaky mountains, glaciers, high passes (if you prefer), and fishing and bathing at the coast if you can take a rest.
Yes, as roads are improving some very long tunnels (up to 25 km) have been constructed or are still in the planning. Still, motoring in Norway IS time-consuming. We have few roads like the M5.
A bit of caution: Don't overdo the riding. Buzzing at 80-90 km/h all day is tiring, especially on sunny days. Each year we have some nasty accidents among biking tourists who overestimates their endurance and fall asleep. Frequent rests are advisable.
Use telecom and keep talking. Limit riding to 6 hrs a day. If you are riding a classic bike, some planning with emergency backup (aka local friends with trailers) is advisable.

I guess you are out of the age wanting to camp in a tent. As you are probably riding in company (this is advisable) there are well equipped camping huts w/showers and kitchen in most places. Not cheap at £100/night in the high season and £80/night in the low season, but this can be divided on 4-6 persons if you are in company. For western Norway, the 2nd quarter of the year offers the nicest weather. 3rd quarter has unstable weather conditions, so it's sunny for two days and rainy for the third day (if you are lucky). :)

Feel free to contact me if you want specific advice about roads and attractions.

-Knut
 
Some great info and encouragement there gents, thanks.

The lack of ferry does add quite a lot of rather dull miles to the journey.

I‘m struggling to create enthusiasm with my riding buddies...
 
The lack of a ferry means you need a long holiday for this venture, 3-4 weeks minimum.
Residents in nordic countries wanting to travel in the UK or Ireland have the same problem of course.

-Knut
 
Thanks Knut, and I do take you comments about being realistic about endurance seriously too, I’ve been there before. I think your 3-4 weeks is sensible. I was originally thinking 2 weeks, so I think a little re think is in order...
 
mdt-son said:
The lack of a ferry means you need a long holiday for this venture, 3-4 weeks minimum.
Residents in nordic countries wanting to travel in the UK or Ireland have the same problem of course.

-Knut
Click to expand...

A friend lives in Helsinki and has made the journey to UK for Beezumph Triple Rally several times (on a Bonny or T150v) and French triple rally in Northern France many times , at the last count his Trident had over 500,000 kilometres on it. Respect !
 
trident sam said:
A friend lives in Helsinki and has made the journey to UK for Beezumph Triple Rally several times (on a Bonny or T150v) and French triple rally in Northern France many times , at the last count his Trident had over 500,000 kilometres on it. Respect !
Click to expand...
Wow. BIG respect.

1/2 million k on a Trident... the mind boggles at how much oil he must have used... ;)
 
Fast Eddie said:
Wow. BIG respect.

1/2 million k on a Trident... the mind boggles at how much oil he must have used... ;)
Click to expand...

Has his own refinery :) the bike was featured in a mag maybe ten years ago in Germany if I remember correctly. It's no show piece but wears it's scars well.
 
Fast Eddie said:
Thanks for the link I’ll check those out.

Sometime June-August is the current plan.

I had just assumed that the current lack of ferries was a covid thing? have they been canned permanently?
Click to expand...
There's an international Norton rally at Degerberga in south Sweden in August.
I had toyed with the idea of going as I have a mate that lives in Sweden into British bikes.

However, after checking the dates, it's the same weekend as my daughter's wedding.
 
Last edited:
Dommie Nator said:
There's an international Norton rally at Degerberga in south Sweden in August.
I had toyed with the idea of going as I have a mate that lives in Sweden into British bikes.

However, after checking the dates, it's the same weekend as my daughter's wedding.
Click to expand...

Your daughter doesn’t check the Norton calendar before organising things ?!
 
Back
Top