Cycle tour day 24

It has been approaching for a while now. We are finally here. Tunnel day.

When we planned this route one of our greatest fears was the tunnel between the Norwegian mainland and the island where the Nordkapp lies.

After about thirty kilometres of cycling we came to the tunnel entrance. We have had some trouble with our bike lights before, so it was not too surprising when it turned out my front one had broken. I stayed in the middle of the group.

Outside the tunnel we met two cyclists who had been travelling for almost half a year! They were from Spain and were really energetic and cool. They gave us some tips about the tunnel before we proceeded.

If you have ever been to London, imagine the central line but you are riding your bike up a really steep hill and cars are coming past at incredible speeds and you have ice packs strapped all over your body. That was what this was like. You could barely hear anyone else shout in that tunnel. That seven kilometres took us about half an hour. We were so relieved to escape. And to have snacks :)

Unfortunately the Nordkapp island has many hills itself. If by hills you mean mountains. I thought switchbacks up mountain roads were scary in a car but on a bike where the cars are constantly rushing past you, it is quite horrible. This is one part of the route we cannot avoid. There is one road to the Nordkapp and this is it.

I am writing this in my tent on a very sloped field on the mountain we are cycling up. My inflatable mattress has fallen to the side of my tent. I am not that physically tired in spite of everything, it is mainly mental. I hope getting some sleep should help with that. We’re almost there.

Dist: ~63 km