I am in the last stages of planning, so hesitant to post since I am already often discouraged and changing my mind but here it is.
My original plan was to spend a few months cycling slowly from UK to above the Arctic circle (was not fully set on Northestmost point necessarily) as I've been wanting to spend time under the midnight sun for years. Then beginning of July head down slowly to Spain for the Solar Eclipse 12th August and beyond that figure it out based on how I feel. However, I could not start in May, so been looking at how to amend my plans and accomplish what I wanted or just accept that it's not happening and enjoy a slow paced tour without my initial destination(s).
My main reason for the trip is health related, so still definitely want to go to Norway and Sweden.
I am hoping I finally leave in the next few days.
My options at the moment as I see them are:
Ferry Dover-France > cycle to Lübeck > ferry to Malmö (by next Tue-Wed),which has shortest cycling on less elevation in mainland Europe to get me started. For this plan, considering I like wild camping, I decided against the Netherlands and am uncertain about how to do Germany. (Any advice for camping along the way is welcome). Also, from Malmö it's still 2000km+ to the Arctic Circle (cos Sweden LOONG), so I feel like I can't make it in time without rushing and not enjoying myself.
Option2: similar but through Denmark.
Option3: irritatingly cheapest and most likely to give me enough time in the North is flying from UK to Norway or Sweden but I avoid that like the plague. I don't like the thought of flying with my bike (especially to start the trip) so much that I have been looking at ferries+trains combos that take a lot more time and are at least 3x more expensive…when I could be in Norway or Sweden this week if I fly.
The solar eclipse part of this I cannot figure out at all unless I can fly. It's not helped by the fact that August in Spain/Southern Europe's heat+peak tourist season=my nightmares. But still I feel like I'd miss out if I don't try.
Any advice or input would be greatly appreciated. I feel like I've been stuck in a loop.
I have seen that Belgium and Denmark also have camps where you can legally 'wild' camp. Any advice on Germany/Netherlands camping?
Looking at trains, all I got left with is the thought 'Why do they hate bikes so much?!' Is there any convenient train routes that would help me cut a chunk of the distance at any point that would accept bikes? I thought they wanted me to be more environmentally friendly and not fly but seems like they're making it a nuisance if you want to try in most of Europe.
Background info: I will be travelling as a solo female. I have cycled 10k+ in 2019 from UK>France>Spain>central Europe>Bulgaria>Baltics>Finland>Lofoten> Trondheim (minus a Hurtigruten port to port from Lofoten to Rørvik). That took just over 6 months (And somehow I think I can do similar distance in 2 months). Cycled the length of Britain with too much weight. And have done only shorter trips since. .. Ah, yes, also haven't cycled in a year but want to aim for 100km daily average.
I am trying to bring less than I am previosly used to (so I give myself better chances of success) but I will have 2 panniers (at the moment half full and closing easily haha) and a dry bag.
Writing all this I also realised that saying I'm in the last stages of planning for me means I have a vague idea of what I want to do. Open to suggestions. I am mostly looking forward to the peace and tranquility that I felt whenever I've been to Scandinavia, but also meeting people along the way and finding my love for bike touring again after an unsuccessful attempt last year.
by Pastries_n_Puffins
5 Comments
If you take a ferry to Larvik, Kristiansand, or Oslo, you can take you bike on the train up to Trondheim & cycle north from there. The train from Kristiansand has not been running reliably recently, and they won’t guarantee that bikes can go on the replacement bus service, so I would recommend taking the ferry to one of the other ports, if possible. There is no requirement to reserve a space for a bike, but you do have to buy a ticket for it. It’s half the cost of an adult ticket. You can buy them on board. There is a surcharge if you buy your own ticket on board.
Alternatively, it’s not cheap, but there is a port-to-port ferry / cruise ship that goes up and down the Norwegian coast called Hurtigruten.
I’m also planning my holidays to go see the eclipse at the border between Spain and France!
I heard that the eclipse would still be viewable in France, even near Paris, but at the cost of it being only partial (still 90% of obscuration though)
I really, really recommend going to the Trondheim fjord, as it’s really beautiful
I included the 2024 eclipse in my tour. 💯 recommend, especially if you’ve never experienced totality before.
As a suggestion: Spain is not the only place with full solar eclipse, there is a part of Iceland getting full eclipse too.
Denmark has a ferry to Iceland. You could therefore also consider taking the ferry from Denmark to Iceland for the eclipse. Iceland might also work for your health goals (depending on what you want to achieve ofcourse).
Otherwise, next year there is another total eclipse in summer, but then all the way in the south of spain and north africa. So you could also postpone the eclipse to next year.
Cycle along the Meuse in Belgium.
I am biased, it’s my home country but it’s one of my favourite rides. I often do it as a day trip and take the train back home with my bicycle.