On-road cycling in Southern Norway

[Ray]

Thinking about a week or so in Southern Norway in May/June. Not a full-on cycling holiday, but will take my road bike with a view to a few forays - maybe a couple of hours at a time - into the countryside. Much of the info on tourist sites seems to include off-roading, but I'm a tarmac man by preference, especially as a lightweight road bike is what fits inside the car most easily!

Anyone on here done that sort of thing? Will be arriving on the ferry at Kristiansand, and maybe looking for a chalet/cottage towards Stavanger - although Norway will be new to me, so could easily be persuaded to head east from the ferry if anyone has a better idea!

Thanks in advance if you can help.

[rotavator]

I have cycled a bit around Stavanger when I was working there a few years ago. There are plenty of cycle paths in and around town.

You should check for tunnels when planning routes, see the statensvegvesen website. You can avoid some by using the old road that predates the tunnel. Also check when mountain roads are due to reopen after being snowed in over winter.

Food and booze are very expensive as you probably know.

I would go between May and September. Beware there are lots of bank holidays in May but it is a beautiful time of year.

[Ray]

Thank you, that's very helpful, and I must spend a bit more time looking at the statensvegvesen website and the cycling routes suggested. Haven't booked anything yet, so won't necessarily stick to Stavanger as a base.