SY Hullu Poro – Boating & Biking Adventures

Sustainable Snow

On November 18, 2025

Winter-Wonder-Land developed further over the last few days with temperatures down to -4° celsius. Continuous snow removal with heavy machninery is ongoing taking the once crystal white feathers out of town dumping it somewhere nearby into the sea. Roads remain compacted, icy and slippery. Majority of pavements the same.

Solar noon was at 11:46am today with the sun reaching its maximum of 3° above the horizon, still providing significant daylight, I think.

Today’s average low biking speed of 9.7 km/h is caused by some snow stops paired with plenty of photo stops. Total duration of the trip was just below 2 hours gross in relation to the recoreded net moving time of 1:11 hours. It can be a challenge to keep feet and fingers warm under these conditions. Training ongoing.

The reward comes with another Lofoten-Light-Show. Southerly directions dominated by a low band of very heavy dark clouds while the northerner sky shows illuminated milky clouds with blue patches. Impressive contrast.

All pain forgotten! More snow expected.

Fair winds…

Polar Low

By Bernd

On November 16, 2025

In B(H)iking, Norway

It was our first Polar Low passing through, which entertained us the rest of the week. A weather phenomenon also know as the Arctic Hurricane, interesting & fascinating, new to us. Unlike hurricanes, they do not get named and have a much shorter lifespan. Nevertheless, they have a brutal aspect in its erratic behaviour. Finally it passed Lofoten with some distance but clearly demonstrated its impact in a manner comfortable to us newbies. A good start into the winter.

Despite the fact, that winter is officially still more than a month away, we feel, that our third season in the Lofoten is in full swing with the arrival of this Polar Low during the week.

Biking was not advisable under these conditions but we took the opportunity for walks within the surrounding area. Although the sun is now only getting up to a maximum of 3° above the horizon, it has not lost any power to put the scenery into a remarkable perspective, during the 4 hours daylight left.

Fair winds…

…more familiarisation…

By Bernd

On November 11, 2025

In B(H)iking, Norway

We were gifted with more large snow flakes late last evening adding another 10cm of snow to the solid baselayer from the previous day. The old slushy snow has become solid ice as the temperature dropped just below freezing.

I was keen to go for another test and familiarisation ride to understand limits, technically, physically, mentally. There is a cycle track from Svolvær to neighbouring village Kabelvåg along the E10, which gets cleared by the community services.

The Conti Spike 240 gave no reason for concerns, even on glazy ice it provides very good grip. It does hardly clog up under dominated snow and allows not only steeper uphill sections but also out of the saddle sprints without slippage or loosing traction. Obviously there is a limit to all but in this case the limit on the tyre sits in hitting grooves in the direction of rolling. It becomes a riks if they are unvisible and/or unexpected. While the tyre rolls fast, there is a slightest imbalance, which needs to be worked on.

Vintervann, pure luxury, no hardship. The best comes at the end. Bike wash with warm water next to the boat, same time unfreezing my hands…even a shower would be in reach! One at a time, we still got the sauna/gym subscriptions.

Not trusting the weather forecast blindly, more snow can be expected.

Fair winds…

Piggdekk Sykkel Vinterdegg

By Bernd

On November 10, 2025

In B(H)iking, Norway

It was high time to get the studded tyres mounted as the flakes kept hovering down from the sky. There was even a window for the sky to break up just before lunch, which made a short test ride possible. Still some sun left.

The grip of the tyre gives good confidence on the snow although I would prefer a wider version but the current limitation is set by the Roval SLX24 700C rims. Unfortunately I do not have my second wheelset (650B) onboard at the moment. Nevertheless, the winter biking season has started now in a somehow different world.

Fair winds…

Snow Cover

By Bernd

On November 9, 2025

In Norway

A Polar Low, originating from the Barents Sea, passing through this week bringing some more brightness in into our short days. Life between the modern Svolvær towards our westerly starboard side and the traditional Rorbuers at our easterly looking portside will now take partly place under cover.

I sense, that our Boating & Biking Adventures have reached another milestone, just not sure, if it’s the end or the beginning, or the beginning of the end. In any case we tend to believe we are in the right place at the right time…surrounded by magical moments.

Fair winds…

Out in the swamp…

By Bernd

On November 3, 2025

In B(H)iking, Norway

Might become the only day with sunshine this week but overall we shall not complain. The upcoming full moon brings not only a fresh gale along but also plenty of rain over the next two days. Cosy days under deck! Well, it can change quickly…as it did often recently…not so much the wind but the sun/cloud/rain pattern. However, whatever, the window was open and Kalle was calling again…

I knew it will be a foot-wet hike after a tailwind-dry ride up to Kalle Vestre, where Titti was left behind in the trees and I pranced my way towards the lake. With the sun at 7° max above the horizon now, I still got some rays of sun directed towards the sweetwater pond panoramicly embedded by Vågakallen.

I made my way along the edge of the biothope towards the mountain’s ridge through some rough, rocky, slippery, wet,..terrain until I got a free view from the trees. Same lake, different perspective. Unfortunately no eagles today.

On my way back, the sky cleared even further and frozen toes by now got forgotten over profound impressions gathered during the return ride.

It just doesn’t stop.

Fair winds…

Rest of the week…

By Bernd

On November 2, 2025

In B(H)iking, Kayaking, Norway

The rest of the week kept inviting us for more outdoor activities – namely kayaking and biking. Very little rain, no gales for a while but chilly temperatures. We stayed within the harbour boundaries as there was some old going swell outside in the Vestfjorden.

The Kabelvåg plaines remain my personal little gallaxy. The landscape is simply breathtaking and the distance about right to push my limits in terms of cold weather biking. Despite temperatures above freezing, we had some ground frost, which required additional attention. I have to praise the S-Works Tracer tyre again providing good grip even at these borderline conditions. Nevertheless a pair of studded tyres have arrived and shall be mounted soon to remain safe in the saddle through the winter.

Fair winds…

Fresh air versa gym

By Bernd

On October 28, 2025

In B(H)iking, Norway

There was some sun promised, so we had to swap the gym with outdoor activities. Susan preferred to take the Sherpa Stairs to get a good bird view over Svolvær. I gave the Sykkel Interval Group under firm command of Hanna a miss and jumped on my real titanium beauty for a spinning to Henningsvær.

It is amazing, knowing that the sun will soon be gone for a while, how focused someone can be to maximize capturing the same. There is more sun promised this week including instant changes.

Fair winds…

Storøya i Kalle

By Bernd

On October 27, 2025

In B(H)iking, Norway

It was clear case of multiple blessings in disguise, that the puncture happened after I very much enjoyed a short hike on Storøya, was then allowed to fix it at the historical trading place called Kalle i Lofoten and finally catching the bus JIT, with a 400m sprint, stopping along the E10 after the damned tyre got flat again.

There is some more dry weather forecasted for this week with sunny spells at actually max 9° angle above the horizon. We are now “loosing” approximately one hour daylight per week until the polar night will kick in.

The bike is cleaned and fixed with new tyre and tube, ready to go. The S-Works Tracer is an incredible tyre but only lasts about 2500km, admitting some abuse here an there on the gravelled stretches taken.

Fantastic ride with an unexpected return.

Fair winds…

Mixed Week

By Bernd

On October 26, 2025

In B(H)iking, Norway

It was a nice mixed week, weather wise and activity wise. They both go hand in and nowadays. The sunny days allowed us to test our new drysuit on short trips within the harbour boundaries keeping the rescue boat at arm’s length. It feels very comfortable and much safer paddling in this catwalk matching design and quality marked dress. Water temperature is around 8°C by now, air temperature slighly below that not including chill. One layer of Woolpower 200 makes it warm and cosy under the Gore-Tex skin. Optimization on feet and hands ongoing.

Cracking my mind was required to get into the saddle for a ride. I hesitated a lot but once out there it soon felt being back in paradise. Additional motivation was granted by Erik the Viking, jogging towards my way. His stature of a Viking appeared to me broader than half of the shared track but we got along nicely.

Puzzling was also his outfit, short pans and shirt! Not a sign of any irritation in his warm and trustworthy face. I pushed myself harder to get warmer.

Arriving in Kalle Vestre – heaven on earth – I met Eline. She was out getting the studded winter tyres onto her car. We had a very nice chat and I learned more about this fascinating place consisting of four houses. The horses where out for a ride. While our voices started shivering it was time to move on, heading back. At the time I made it to the sauna, my toes were without any other feeling left except sweet pain. The rest of the body was wet and dirty outside but dry and warm inside. Looking forward to the next bike ride through this wild, mystic, partly alien looking scenery.

A daytrip by Bus – Ferry – Bus – Havila Voyages took us to the Hurtigruten Museum in Stokmarknes, where it all began in 1893, by coincident the same year Frifjof Nansen set off with his Fram Expedition to reach the North Pole.

The museum not only incorporates the complete shipping line’s history exhibited inside and around of the life-size MS Finnmark built by Blohm & Voss AG in 1956. The visitor also get an impression about travelling in 1993, the year this vessel was taken out of service.

It also becomes evident, that this unique shipping line remains close to the heart of the Norwegian people. Havila Polaris, one of the most modern vessels operating on the Hurtigruten Express Way today, took us back to Svolvær, via Raftsund and Trollfjord.

Under nautical twilight conditions, we entered the Trollfjord. The Captain decides on the spot, if the entry will be done or not, weather depending. We were lucky, even seeing one of the sea eagles, large in its size and majestic in its movement. Impressive. Back in Svolvær, we were still a bit puzzled.

Fair winds…