And thanks I was a bit confused why the cycle route had a missing part between Arna to Dale. So that helps knowing you can't cycle on it. I went on google streetview before and noticed there was a tunnel, just assumed that you were still allowed through it (just not advised).
Even if they were I still wouldn't go down them because the one legal tunnel on a cycle route I passed through with some traffic was frankly terrifying! (I passed through so many tunnels on my trip and I was the only one in the tunnel on all but 2 occasions - part luck part the cycle routes are generally good at keeping you away from traffic) I felt so vulnerable in it, the noise from any passing traffic is unreal. It sounds a bit extreme and I thought so before when other people mentioned it but now I understand. (Some of the motor vehicle only ones are 5km+ long).
Another tunnel problem I had was when my front light failed and I got stuck because I was on a smaller road with a fairly long unlit tunnel. Long enough to be pitch black and I tried and failed a couple of times to go through because I simply couldn't see a thing lol. I'd would have had to walk, feeling my way along the rock and was worried it could be dangerous in the event of an oncoming truck or something as there was a bend in it and it was skinny (tunnel just outside Skjolden on route 6). In the end I waited about 40 mins and flagged down a car, the driver of which was kind enough to drive behind me with his main beam on so I could cycle through. (He was then even kinder to be waiting for me to help me through the next tunnel further up the road!)
Also didn't expect the Rallarvegen to be closed in July. Would you recommend going later in August instead? Although I've heard the summer season ends earlier there... so not sure if that would be worth it.
As another has said last year was an unusually bad summer (typical for me!) so I'd take my chance with this because it's a nice traffic free ride.
I'll ask (if you don't mind) at this point:
http://www.opencyclemap.org/?zoom=14&la ... yers=B0000 between Mydral and Upsete at the west side of the Rallarvegen there is another gap. My research has shown you need to go by train for this section, although I see a small path route on that map (probably a stupid idea to attempt lol). You seem to have went north from Mydral to Flam (which I would quite like to check out also), so not sure if you would know about the Mydral to Upsette line. Just worried that I might have to book said train in advance or wait 5 hours or something as it seems like a very remote station.
You are correct. I met other cyclists who had taken this small seemingly mysterious train that stops at Upsette but you you're right it is a small station where a stopping train is not super regular so you'd probably want to know the timetable in advance for that one and plan your day accordingly. Myrdral on the other hand is also a stop for the Oslo-Bergen main line and hoards of tourists change here to take the tourist train down to Flam. I don't know about those tracks you see. I met some pretty determined cyclists last year when the Rallarvegen was snowed under and yet I didn't meet any that even discussed that as a possible route for what it's worth but I honestly don't know.
You are also correct with my route - I went down to Flam (nice ride) where I got the ferry to Balestand. The ferries are useful (they stop at a lot of places, you can even do Bergen-Flam) and add all sorts of options but not that cheap hence I took one of the shortest possible routes but it was still fun and cool to see the fjords from the water.
Also did you bring any hard maps with you (if yes, do you might me asking which ones)? I have a Garmin which I will load the cycle routes on. But I don't particularly want to be too reliant on it considering there probably will be a limited number of places that I could buy Double A batteries from.
Just took my phone (android) and used an app called viewranger where you can use opencyclemap maps so couldn't really go wrong (although I still managed it once or twice, doh!). Phone was charged with front hub but not a cheap solution unfortunately. In the past (before I had the hub) I have just taken a load of spare batteries for my phone. Much cheaper but you'll need power every now and then to charge them all! I recorded all my routes so have all the GPX files if you are interested (from that you can figure out where I camped etc if you are bothered).
Do you mind if I send you any more questions closer to the date if I can think of any burning ones ?
No probs
Have you got any pictures / videos of you journey? Would be interested in looking at them if you had, but don't feel you have to go out of you way to share them.
I PM'd a link to all my pics. here's a few anyway (I do have a few vids somewhere as well):
Track down to Flam.
Rallarvagen
Rallervagen approaching Finse
Old road around a tunnel. Often as a cyclist you are guided around tunnels on the original pre-tunnel roads which are way more interesting.
Climb on route 3 not far from Balestrand
Will be looking at booking next month. Prepared to fly if I have to.