An unusual weather window opens up just as I am due to cross the mountain pass back to Norway: it’s just below zero, and things are noticeably slushy. My routine disintegrates as things which should be frozen — food, camping gear, clothes — begin to drip and defrost.
It’s a blessing and a curse; granted, I no longer have to worry constantly about my fingers and toes freezing solid, and I can stand around for longer if I feel like it. But at the same time I overheat when climbing mountain roads, my nights under canvas become increasingly soggy — and the roads treacherous with slick ice.
I climb towards the treeline and suddenly there is a pair of reindeer bumbling about in front of me. It should be a fairytale moment, I think, and in some ways it is: finally, here’s Rudolph! But in another way it’s just another couple of half-wild animals caught in the road, unsure what to do.
As I approach, they look up, and then begin trotting away from me like sheep on a Welsh country lane, only more gangly and exotic-looking. Having gained enough distance, they stop, wait for me to catch up, have a little poop, and then begin trotting down the road again.
This pattern repeats itself with comic regularity for about 45 minutes. Until I reach the Arctic Circle and stop for the obligatory photographic evidence to be collected.
Then it’s up above the trees and over the very modest 740-metre pass and on down into Norway. Had the weather been bad, this would likely have been the most risk-laden leg of the journey. But I plunge unscathed back down into cavernous valleys of wet snow and slippery ice, the road like a skating rink, typical Norwegian gradients harsh. I thank my lucky stars I opted to ride through Sweden instead of this, dramatic as it is after days of endless rolling hills and lakes.
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6 replies on “Day 25: Up And Over”
HI mate,
Enjoyed the 3 photos below you standing next to the signpost a lot.
Andy
The Arctic Circle photo should certainly be keep for posterity, if only to be enjoyed by your grandchildren!
Well done.
You’re soon coming to were I live, Bodø! 😀
Good to see you’re on the right side of the border again 🙂
Shouldn’t that be the left side? Or have I got my map upside down? (Just kidding)
I’ll be in Bodo tomorrow, all being well.
Tom,
Just discovered your website, really enjoying catching up with all your posts. A real eye opener. I will be following your progress with interest. Have you written a post about the tech you take with you to keep us updated? Safe travels.
Patrick
I’ll write up an article after the trip about the tech side of things — pretty simple really though!