Into the mountains

Bykle-Haukeliseter (84 km)

The sun was shining on my tent when my alarm rang at seven o’clock this morning. Although it was becoming quite warm in the tent, I preferred to stay on my comfortable Exped mat which can be turned into a chair, and have breakfast inside.

The bike ride started with a small uphill stretch and then a rather flat part. After 25 kilometres, I reached Hovden – a ski resort in the winter. Here I had a short coffee break and bought new freeze-dried dinners in a sports store. They didn’t have Real Turmat, so I have to try Summit To Eat instead.

From Hovden there was a bit more uphill to go before I started a long descent down to Haukeli. Here I turned left on route E134 towards Haugesund, which had a bit more traffic than the E9 I was on before (but not too bad).

From Haukeli it was a steady ascent up towards Haukeliseter fjellstue, the mountain lodge where I am staying tonight. 10 kilometres before my goal, the main road went into a tunnel. So I had to take the pass over the mountain instead. I was rewarded by a beautiful landscape with the Kjelavatn lake to my feet and mountains with single snowfields all around. I took quite many stops to take pictures today.

Back on the main road I cycled the last few kilometres to Haukeliseter, which is located at Ståvatn – another beautiful lake. I will sleep in a regular bed tonight and it seems like I have the room for myself as well. Since it is Friday, I already enjoyed a Radler/Alster (beer with sprite) in the sun. And I am very much looking forward to a three course dinner with pheasant as main course tonight (guess a red wine goes well with the bird).