On Saturday I biked the 100 km from Oslo to Fredrikstad. I've previously done several bike vacations with my father in Denmark/Germany, but never done more than 60/70 km in 1 day. We would mostly do 30-50km.
The reason for this trip was to explore what was on the other end of the leisurely, laid back bicycle touring I was familiar with. And on my ride from Oslo to Fredrikstad I reflected a lot on what I want out of this passion.
But first, a brief trip report.
The route I chose was a pretty direct route, with either cycle path besides the road, or riding on the road. Some roads were quiet, some roads had more traffic, and I could often hear the noise of the big highway allocated close to my route.
When I reached Gjersjøen, the lake pictured above, I was struck by it's beauty and a feeling of freedom and calm settled within me. But the majority of the route was not as beautiful, biking past regular Norwegian towns, fields etc. The final stretch in and around Råde was kinda nice, where the landscape opened up with waves of hills and some more scenic views.
Now over to my reflections. Much of the journey I missed that feeling I got by the lake. The feeling of calm and freedom. This lead me to believe that I should, in the future, pursue more nature on my bicycle tours. But there is also another factor in play. Biking in my home country through what to me was regular, stale towns, I realized I probably would have found a trip through regular towns in say rural China a lot more exotic. Simply because the culture, language etc. Would be so different from what I know.
So I would love to hear your thoughts on what you want out of your own bike tours…
The calmness and freedom you experience from nature
The exploring and learning of traveling in a exotic country
The feeling of achievement of pushing great distances and/or having the infrastructure to help you out in case of difficulties and also the opportunity for stopping by cafés etc.
by OompaLoompaGodzilla