Day 11 - Tromsø

Hi everyone,

Welcome to the Day 11 blog of Arctic Ride 2014!

So I'm at the half way point of my adventure now and I scheduled in a rest day.

I've ridden nearly 3,000miles in 10 days and it has taken its toll on my body and my mind, so my rest day is to recharge my batteries and just be off the bike.

Luckily I'm staying with Geir and his family in Tromsø meaning that I have had my own personal tour guides for the day.

My first stop was Tronsø's famous cable car which, once at the top, gives the best view of the island city.

🚡

The weather was again marvellous with little wind and about 25 degrees in the sun. I've truely been blessed with the weather here in Norway on the first part of my trip. And long may it continue.

After the cable car I took a tour of the city centre by car before heading out to the surrounding fjords and a nice stop at a beach (yes they have beaches, yes they are awesome). 

With snow capped mountains in the background this was easily in my top 5 beaches visited of all time. As I looked out onto the water, Geir informed my that if I sailed a steady course from the beach I would reach Alaska... Amazing!

We then headed back to town via a supermarket which sold The One and Only Newcastle Brown Ale :) This brought a smile to my face!

In the evening I was treated to a lovely home cooked dinner of reindeer stew in a creamy sauce with all the trimmings. With each day I'm here, the more I want to live in this country (Kirsty, get packing :P )

After dinner I headed to meet the Tromso MCE club at their club house. It's always great to chat to other bikers and they were so welcoming and really interested in my trip.

I then finished my rest day with a 3 hour hike up a mountain to get a 'real' view if a fjord, and my, I wasn't disappointed.

 

I can see why hiking is such a big pastime in Norway as the views are simply breathtaking, as was the climb up.

I can't thank enough Geir and his family for looking after me in Tromsø for the past two evenings. I'm blown away by their welcome as hosts and truely believe I've made some new friends, even in such a short space if time.

Tomorrow I head for Alta before Nordkapp on Thursday! It's getting very exciting being so close to my goal but also this area of Norway is where I need to be most alert due to the wildlife and the quality and size if the roads.

Tune in tomorrow to see what I got upto on day 12.

Ride safe,

Gordon