Kickstart!

The first training trip on my new bike in Norway!

My youngest brother proposed to make this first cycling trip together, as a kind of birthday present.

The startpoint was our campsite in Lærdalsøyri and we agreed to aim for Aurlandsvangen via Aurlandsfjellet. A steep and uninterrupted climb of 1320 m, with a dizzling slope of 10% on average. Which would be rewarded with an impressive view and similar descent. So far, the plan.

As soon as I reached the first 100 m of altitude, I started to doubt the whole trip today as well as the one in the Artic. I already cursed my hubris.

Slow but sure, encouraged by the sun and the beautiful nature, we reached the top. The mood changed instantly to victory and appetite for more.

However, the weather changed mood too. A German passerby called it with a big smile ‘liquid sunshine’. And i believe he wasn’t even sarcastic.

Downhill the visibility was shrouded in fog and heavy rainfall. Our brakes got hot while we got boneshivering cold.

Luckily, the rain stopped when we reached the Stegastein viewpoint. The view was amazing!

At the end point, we were very grateful to be picked up by my wife and kids with the car. To transport is through the 24 km long tunnel. Which is obviously not allowed for cyclists.

They say you have to start small, however i hope this was already a serious kickstart of the rest of the cycling journey.