Boating & Biking Adventures

Author: Bernd Page 1 of 121

I call it a day…

I noticed some strange difference during today’s ride, dropping snowshoes while picking up new XC gear for myself. The weather forecast stays good and let’s see the conditions of the groomed track tomorrow.

Anyway, the difference I notice was the shade trying to overtake me while riding. We are back in solid sunshine!

I keep going to my viewpoint in Kabelvåg, my reference point for the state of the sun.

Heading back from my afternoon sauna, the sky to the West was burning. Geir, the harbour master from Ballstad, mentioned it to us last year and now I understand, what he was referring to. I need to find a better spot to observe and capture this impression. Luxury problem.

A bit later into the day, I had just put the phone down with Volker and started cooking, when flu afflicted Susan indicated polar lights outside. After taking an initial limited look from inside, it became clear: this is serious, dinner has to wait.

A packed day with multiple impressions. 

Fair winds…

New Gear Arrival

Another defence layer against cold fingers has been added to the drop bars, so called bar mitts. Very easy to install in no time. Changing gear with my lobster gloves on works very well. Straight speedy in/out. Good fit overall.

Corrugated ice testing the studded tyres.

A promising new clothing accessory after my first test ride today although more harsh conditions are needed to finally conclude on thermal impact as well.

Fair winds… 

Catch up after long…

A suite photo taken by Ulli from the warm and coyz sofa. No telly needed.

It dates back to the 10th October 2023, when Elke and Ulli last surprised me with a visit in Kappeln, the place where our Boating & Biking Adventures started six years ago. On relatively short notice and sharing the interest and fascination of the North, they made it again, this time up to Svolvær.

Two days quality time brought us up to date. Very nice.

A snowshow walk and a trip to Henningsvær rounded up the winter impressions getting a touch and feel of the villages and its back countries.

Fair winds…

Old E10 Trail

The 741 bus to Leknes took us a few kilometers out of town and dropped us at Åvika, an entry point to another stretch of the old E10 road.

Our week with the BUA borrowed snowshoes was over and we combined its return with some more exploration of back-country scenery. While venturing off the old E10 track here and there, it became a pleasant hike on tracks under various conditions. From compacted to untouched snow, all included.

Different animal footprints and droppings are under cheerful debate as we have not met or seen any of these creatures but know they are around. Four elks live in the Svolvær/Kabelvåg plaines. We will keep sharp lookout.

Fair winds…

Emmanuel Kant

A sign along the x-country track caught my close attention only today, although I have passed it quite often before. An interesting and timeless quote from Emmanuel Kant, which made it up to this point. Nicely presented.

It is hard to digest in nowadays reality!

Snowblow has taken away some of the perfectly prepared track and challenged me here and there. One steeper downhill with a suddenly disappearing groomed track ended in a controlled stop sliding a couple of meters over the snow. Nothing too serious as long as it can be controlled. The compacted snow is still relatively soft.

We will be out as long as the conditions invite us to enjoy winter on the Lofoten.

Fair winds…

…sporet.no…

Around 15cm of fresh snow came in today within 3 hours. Another 3 hours after it stopped snowing, the grooming machine was out in the plains to overhaul the x-country skiing track. Its movement and the status of preparation can be followed live on the sporet.no App, once you have a subscription.

I am tempted to check it out tomorrow on another Bike to Ski arrangement. They proudly claim it is prepared up to World Cup Standards! Looks impressive to me.

Fair winds…

Bike – Ski – Bike

The groomed cross-country ski trails of  Svolvær and Kabelvåg have got an accumulated length of 17km and consist of five individual tracks but all being interconnected with each other.

Today was the last stretch, which I had not done yet. It clearly suits me best, not only being the closest point of entry but also  coincides well with my skill level.

A bit more fresh snow would be nice but we also appreciate what we already got this very early into the skiing season.

I will be back after some rest…

Fair winds…

New Gear Arrival

From Atlas Mountains in Morocco last year to Atlas Montane in Norway this year. Pure coincidence but the model of my new snowshoes, called Atlas Montane, got field tested today. From bikepacking to snowshoeing.

We went back to Nedre Svolværvatnet, an area we have explored before and which seems to offer good terrain for this kind of activity. A German guided group on snowshoes crossed our way.

I hope and sense there will be many more opportunities in utilising this new gear by getting out into this amazing landscape over the next few month.

Susan’s set has now also arrived and is up for another field test.

Fair winds… 

Bike – Ski – Bike

Today’s starting point for the XC-skiing was the Skistation in Kabelvåg. I picked the skiing equipment up on my way at the nearby BUA, opening at 12pm, just after sunrise. Days are still short.

I was gifted with a one hour loop on the groomed cross-country ski trail through frozen plains. The recorded 40m in elevation change (only!) included some stretches by far too steep for my skill level. Two fall downs plus one intentional forced stop not to end up in the bush. A long way to go! Still, good fun but also hard work.

Inspired by a like-minded, skis on the backpack.

Too adventures for Susan, who went for a nice walk instead.

Fair winds…

Kid’s Ski Event

A short “night” ride was on my list for long and a typical Norwegian event pushed me back into the saddle. Same time I could improve my own resilience against temperatures below freezing. Still a bit to go but improving. The locals have a different DNA on this aspect. Pure fun for the kids! Impressive.

Fair winds…

Page 1 of 121

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