I get up very early. My sleeping place is uncomfortable enough that I don’t turn over again. I had soaked my oats in the evening, so I don’t even have to cook them. Within an hour everything is packed and a route for the day is planned. It will be along the big roads again, but mostly on cycle paths.
Yesterday I crossed the border. The Norwegians overtake more respectfully, leaving me 1-2 metres of space, and I don’t feel as if I’m being pushed into the ditch by the next lorry. In the middle of the day I see deer and even a fawn in the distance.
Around midday, I stop to kill some time. I had only announced my arrival at my sleeping place from 3pm and it’s not far from here. I have a coffee and start looking for routes through Norway that take me less along major roads. It’s fun to dream about different paths, to discover places and photos that inspire me.
During my journey, I dream of more practical bike setups. My bike and luggage are a little heavy for my taste, some of them rattle, and with the panniers I am wider than I would like to be. I would like to be as agile as possible, ready for any terrain. The long journeys give me plenty of time to let my thoughts wander. When I’m going downhill, I think about how I could attach panniers better and make better use of the space in the frame. Uphill, in the smallest sprocket, I dream of a mountain bike gear system with a smaller “pensioner gear”. I’ll gradually refine my setup; for now, the costs of the existing material and repairs are enough for me. And even if it’s not ideal, I can get almost anywhere I want to go. I’m also thinking about sewing my own bags when I get back.
Norway is really expensive. I either overspend or make a mistake in the supermarket and have to sell my kidney to pay for the cherries. It is exhausting to be in a country where I have to think twice about what I want to eat for dinner, even in the supermarket.
I am allowed to stay at the house of friends of friends, even though they are on holiday. I am really grateful for their relaxed generosity, which allows me to enjoy the luxury of a house again: washing, showering, cooking. I am allowed to stay there as long as I want, and I allow myself a whole two nights so that I can plan my further route in peace, see Oslo and take care of my equipment. There are new holes to be filled again.
I am building up a small collection of ideas for routes in Norway and daydreaming about travelling along fjords.
