Day 18: Tromso to Sommarøy
60 km and 625 m climbing
Back on the road!
I took my bike out of the basement of the appartement building where I stored my luggage during the intermezzo yesterday. The sky is still gray in the early morning. The city is still sleeping after the second festival day of Rakettnatt, a three day music festival. A big contrast with all groups of the young people and the music in the streets yesterday evening.
The destination of today’s trip is Sommaroy. A famous island thanks to the many air pictures of the connecting bridge and the whimsical archipelago. It is slightly off the cycling route, however there is a campsite and supermarket and it is close to the ferry point which i have to take tomorrow. The distance is rather modest, however i had to split the distance to the ferry of Andenes in pieces which would bring me at monday noon to the ferry start. Only two boats a day and a forced detour due to a blocked tunnel, resulted in a slow start on Saturday.
Nevertheless, the sun pops up when I start climbing. And the temperature rises quickly so some wardrobe adjustments were necessary to avoid overheating.
There is one small tunnel on this trip. A signboard warns for cyclists in the tunnel. And there is a strange button at the entrance with the instruction to push the button when you are a cyclist. I am curious what would happen if i do it. But could not observe any changes. I was expecting a light signal on top of the sign board, or higher light intensity in the tunnel. None of that. But i made it to the other side.
And at the other side of the tunnel , the island and the famous bridge appear at the horizon. Covered with mist.
A group of four bikepackers on racebikes ask me to take a group picture of them with the bridge. They are 3 British and 1 American cyclists. Started in Tromso and heading for Oslo. They are assuming to see me back a couple of times the coming days.
The bridge is small, just big enough for one car. A light indicates whose turn it is to take the scenic flight over the lagune.
The sea is a mirror, the islands fascinating and the mist makes it mystical.
Crystal clear water and white sand beaches, it is like arriving in the Caribbean. Till you touch the water and you get a wake up call.
When arriving on the island, the first thing i see are a group of kayakers starting for a trip in the archipelago. And it is an attractive view. So the first thing i do after placing my tent, is searching for a rental location. The first option just placed a note on the door that the Summer Season stopped two days ago. Difficult to accept in the 20 c blue sky context. The second one responds on my call, however all kayaks are already taken. Tomorrow there is an option as of 10 o’clock. Which doesn’t fit my schedule. A real bummer. However I assume it just a redirection to something much better. Cross fingers for a kayak adventure in the Lofoten.
The walk along the beach of Sommaroy is more than a compensation. A small path brings me to secret corners and beaches. A real Indian Summer feeling.
In the eve
