SY Hullu Poro – Boating & Biking Adventures

Bike Friendly Beach

On August 1, 2026

This time I played it safe and went to the official Autostrand at Tannis Bugt situated at the shores of the North Sea. There are plenty of access points on foot but only two by car and what is suitable for cars should be good enough for bikes.

While it is not the Ninety-Mile-Beach in New Zealand, it covers almost 20% of its total length, keeping in mind, that the 90 miles is actually only 88 km (55 miles) – Southern Hemisphere logic. I did half of that, 8km only.

It became a nice ride without much traffic as peak holiday season is slowly coming to its end. The sand is vey well compacted and without pebbles. The low tide helps to keep it firm and to stay dry without the grinding noise from the drivetrain afterwards. Nevertheless a good flush can’t do any harm.

An interesting ride along a deserted beach…second half is now on the bucket list.

Fair winds…

Skagen’s Heathland

By Bernd

On July 31, 2026

In B(H)iking, Denmark

Besides the typical Klitplantages there is plenty of heathland around Skagen Odde. It was more of a coincident that I ended up there today as my main goal was to play with tyre pressure on another beach ride. While this objective ended in a total disappointment, the heathland ride compensated for all.

There is no doubt a noticeable impact on the tyre pressure but the stretch I picked was not suitable for any bike riding, including Fat Bikes (?!?). Pebble beach with very soft ground!

While strolling through the heathland I also came across the first Rednigsstation i Skagen dating back to 1858, hidden in the bush. There are many dramatic and historical stories around it besides the fact that it was located close to the sea at that time. A clear indication how Skagen has evolved over the last centuries.

I shall try another beach…

Fair winds…

🇩🇰 🚴‍♂️…Skagen…🚴‍♂️ 🇩🇰

By Bernd

On July 30, 2026

In B(H)iking, Denmark

There is no doubt, that Skagen is an outstanding location within Denmark, so is the biking within this area.

My morning ride took me out to Grenen as I was eager to explore how far I can get along the beach with 45mm tyres. Not bad even without adjusting tyre pressure from road to gravel.

There are many Klitplantages in Denmark, mainly on the westcoast of Jutland and the northshores of Zealand. The oldest one dates back to 1726!

The photo below from the afternoon ride gives an impression on the plantagen area on the right side to defend the land against the predominantly westerly winds causing the drifting sand. About two dozen of Klitplantages have been created in Denmark. Skagen was one of the later ones. Land protection and economical development going hand in hand.

However, today it offers some of the unique landscape and a tremendous recreational area for hiking, biking and horse riding.

This insane summer keeps us going…

Fair winds…

🇳🇴…Norway to Denmark…🇩🇰

By Bernd

On July 29, 2026

In Denmark, Norway

After another week in Lillesand enjoying the Sup & Stup Summer Festival it slowly became time for us to move on. With the end of the Norwegian Fellesferie the scenery changed almost instantly with the last beat of the final open air concert. We have left with a million of positive impressions and some decent miles into the legs. We will be back.

A pleasant overnighter took us to Skagen/Denmark. Traffic around the TSS Skagen West was damned busy before we tacked around the tip of Jutland into the buzzling city.

Reflections during the night took me to the question, when I stayed last time in the same country for 14 month, uninterrupted. It must have been during the very ealry days but for sure I know, that the time in Norway was well spent.

This overall Norway adventure is coming to an end soon.

Fair winds…

🚴‍♂️⛺️…Kalvehageneset…⛺️🚴‍♂️

By Bernd

On July 23, 2026

In B(H)iking, Norway

Another overnighter was high on my priority list and the weather came in handy for Titti, Unna and myself to get out into the rocky woods of Kalvehageneset – a “fjell” into the sea. Based on my spec (evening & morning sun, no moskitos, etc.) the hint for this place came from Sander being not only the harbour master of Lillesand but also a native of Homborsund, a friend.

Pitching freestanding Unna on boulders went well, the unblocked view towards Homborsund Fyr was granted for free.

After decent sleep ensured by my 25+ year old Therm-A-Rest unmatched inflatable sleeping pad, a pleasant wake-up morning walk took me along the hiking trail, before breakfast. Nice, diverse, changing as you stroll along, Dolly already being up as well. Very nice little hike, well marked. The sun was out as expected, framing the scenery, no clouds.

Breakfast was served on a bench in front of the nearby Homborsund Landhandel.

This outward and return biking journey on a light tailwind made paddling easy but I need to work on my load distribution concept and packing list. The new frame bag is useful. So is the SOTO gas stove.

Let’s plan for the next overnighter.

Fair winds…

PS This summer turns out to become as nice as the last winter!

…Blindleialøpet…

By Bernd

On July 18, 2026

In B(H)iking, Kayaking, Norway

I learned about the Blindleialøpet while chatting to a couple, who came out to our pontoon for a cool down splash into the sea like many others do nowadays. The jellyfish is gone now and I jumped in myself a few times by now. Scandinavian summer going strong!

There was no reason not to get out on the bike to the starting line in Brekkestø joining the crowd. Although it is very much a fun event, all participants seemed to be very eager to win price money and/or award, recognition.

Fair winds…

🛶…Saltholmen Fyr…🛶

By Bernd

On July 15, 2026

In Kayaking, Norway

After Susan pushed me and Lille Poro off she went to catch the Badebåden to Saltholmen Fyr, where we reunited and booked us in for the night.

Our welcome from Asne, Berit and Hans Christian was typical Norwegian, warmhearted and friendly. Also delighted due to the interest we had in their passion operating this magical place of Norway’s heritage under a foundation arrangement with some twenty plus volunteers. The lighthouse was lit first time on 11 November 1882, hosting one family at that time.

The impressions from this overnighter will last long as a one-off experience. Not only taking Lille Poro to the edge of the ocean but also the enthusiasm to preserve the history of Norway, which we have experienced multiple time by now. Kayaking back to Lillesand via Grunnesund became a highlight in itself.

The point I cannot get my head around is, that there are not many arrangements around, where you will, while staying at a house constantly see the sea, whatever window you look out. It does not matter you look through the window from the kitchen, living room, bedroom, toilet, etc., you will be facing the sea. Saltholmen Fyr is one of them.

A place to return on a Southwesterly gale force blowing day/night…

Fair winds…

PS: Hans Christian recently returned from Svalvard and did not miss to bring a bottle of Svalbard Aquavit, a spirit only being sold up in Longyearbyen. We got a zip on our tongues and felt much closer than ever to the glaciers of this particular archipelago.

PSS: My relationship with jellyfish remains as ambivalent as it could be. Pain at one moment (cleaning seacocks), pure pleasure at the next (video above from Salthomen Fyr).

Eikelandsknuten Hill

By Bernd

On July 13, 2026

In B(H)iking, Norway

Another early morning ride took me out to the backcountry of Lillesand for a bike & hike session. At 200moh, Eikelandsknuten was the highest hill discovered so far after a 500m final hiking approach. The climbing tower “Over Agder” brings you 100m up, if you do not end up in the robes before that.

I am impressed how good the Pirelli Cinturato Gravel Hard Terrain tyre copes with the ongoing abuse it gets from the harsh gravel roads within these backcountry roads. It is a perfect tyre for the Allroad Chiru X-Root hybrid bike as it is also going very fast on solid tarmac.

Fair winds…

Sweet Water Beach

By Bernd

On July 12, 2026

In B(H)iking, Norway

Today’s Sunny Sunday Ride took me to another freshwater beach similar to Lundesanden Beach the other day at lake Syndle. Roresanden Beach is nearby at lake Rore. Both are connected through a canal, which makes this water reservoir huge, popular for kayaking.

Both beaches have a totally different character. While the privat beach of Lundesanden is open for motorised vehicles and camping, Roresanden is under municipality order and does not allow neither nor.

Before calling this ride off, I could not resist to stop at my favourite swim stop for a cool down splash as the sun started to get into force.

What a pleasure to be here.

Fair winds…

🛶🏕️…Skauerøya…🏕️🛶

By Bernd

On July 10, 2026

In B(H)iking, Kayaking, Norway

Lille Poro, Unna and me were out for an overnighter on the municipality owned island of Skauerøya. This overnighter was for long on my wishlist and now was the time. Skauerøya is well known within Lillesand and beyond. It made it under the Top 10 in one of the articles published in Yachting Monthly magazine for the Southern Norway Coastline. A boaters & hikers island.

Unna is new to the team and it has itself more than enough depth irrespective you take the Sami or Swedish meaning.

I enjoyed this trip and will work on my setup as it should not have been a one off adventure. Going forward, it will opens up additional, more isolated places hard to discover by other means of transport.

The hike itself around Skauerøya was pleasant and gets three out of five stars under my personal ranking. It’s remarkable what a municipality can offer to its inhabitants and guests.

The three of us will remain in the starting blocks scouting for future adventures.

Fair winds…