Subject:
[Davids-Cycle-Tour]: Report No. 8
From:
David Maden <david@maden.ch>
Date:
Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:56:32 +0200
To:
cycle.tour.friends@maden.ch
 
Honningsvåg, Nordkapp Island, Norway, 21 July 2008, 71 deg 01' 38" N
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Just a quick report - Internet cost is so high here in Norway that a fuller report will have to wait for somewhere cheaper, sorry.

I reached the Nordkapp (71 deg 10' 15" N) last Saturday evening, 19th July, at 21:20 and the sun was shining! This was the end of Day 46 of the trip and my estimated distance was 4152 km. I left at 01:00 after a wonderful 3 hours with hundreds of other people. I counted 20 coaches, including one of Twerenbold's from Baden. The atmosphere at the cape at midnight felt like what I imagine a midsummer Druid festival at Stonehenge might be like. It was much better than expected, very peaceful. I was expecting something like Landsend in England, but it was much more tasteful, if also more expensive.

The cycle ride from the campsite in Honnersvåg to Nordkapp is only 26 km, but it took me nearly 2 hours because it involves an incredible elevation gain. I estimate at least 700 m. I'm glad that I was able to travel light. The ride back with the sun at one's back with the long shadows was also a rare experience.

It was so nice, that I went there again last night and hiked to the other Nordkapp instead. That's an 8 km, 2 hour hike in and then back again, plus the 2 hour cycle ride each way. I got to bed at 05:00 this morning. Fantastic.

Now it's onto the boat tomorrow morning and back down south.

More to follow ...

Best wishes,

David