First trip noob questions ! ( NORWAY )

[Aldorean]

Hello adventure people,

I`m Michael 30 years old and i`m going on my first road trip this late spring.


Now since i`m a very VERY insecure guy i want to challenge myself and throw myself in the deep not planning anny places to sleep or eat or what so ever.

The questions atm :

What do you people advise as route navigation ? i`m thinking about buying a Garmin 660LM but if you people say a mobile phone ( i`m getting the newest HTC one in 3 weeks ) is good enough i`m in to listen why.

How do you people think about what to pack ?
I`m doing it on a V-Strom 650 with a original Suzuki suitcase set and have room on the passenger side for bags. How many clothes do you take with you normally ?

I`m planning to go there for 2 to max 3 weeks is that to long for a first time ?

What kind of tires do you people have on your bikes when roadtripping because i`m thinking about Heidenau but i dont know if they are realy tarmac friendly or not ?

TY for the answer pre-hand and i`m looking forward to see the discussion open up.

P.S. anny advice on a good tent for a *not yet advanced camperboy* ( never pitched a tent myself unless you have a dirty mind )


Greetings Michael.

[JohnnyTh]

Buy a good tent. Most likøy you will run into rain:) i have a Vango Thempest and its small enough for 1 person camping and keeps the water out.

[Wildman]

A map.

2 x shirts, 4 x pants, 1 x trousers, 2 x socks, 1 x fleece.

Metzeler Tourance.

My tip; take lots of money.

[RTLover]

If you're really that insecure, do a few one-two nighters to get the hang of things. Agree with Wildman on good maps, but I'd do four shirts and two pants. GPS is a back-up in case your map flies away but don't use it for route planning because you'll become a slave to it and you'll want to be spontaneous about where you go. Any make of tire will do as long as they're in good nick. Rain gear is an essential, keeps you dry and will also help staying warm. Camping is another story altogether. Stay in hyttes or cheap hotels until you understand camping.

[francs]

Norway?
Lots, lots of money (and credit card is a must, you can't get gas without it at some places, and to pay toll when needed) .
Camping in spring in Norway?
I wouldn't, get a "hytte" you need a heating in the night.

[JohnnyTh]

Originally Posted by francs

Norway?
Lots, lots of money (and credit card is a must, you can't get gas without it at some places, and to pay toll when needed) .
Camping in spring in Norway?
I wouldn't, get a "hytte" you need a heating in the night.

Hehe its not realy that cold already we are above frezing at nights. Late spring should mean atleast 8-10c at nights. Last year april and may was the best months we had that year.
Creditcard is nice but only places you need it to get gas is at the unatended petrol stations. Dont think i ever saw a toll road i could not pay with cash. Motorbikes normaly dont pay toll anyway.

[hensmen]

Hello Michael,
first just take a map, ore you will miss the nice roads, instead a new tent. Best to build up is a Salewa Mark II, aluminium instead fiberglas, one part system, packs very small.
The tyres are not important on your bike, beside they have to be new, cause off the tarmak. Take a Trangia for cooking, good weather clothing and boots for hicking. Don`t forget pictures and perhaps, when your german is good, take the "Felbinger" travelbook, has very good advices and nearly all camping grounds. Take something with you for fishing.
Hans,
Sorry no advice for clothing, most off the time it is too much, you can do washing on the camping.
If it is too cold, ferry Bergen Newcastle and back, nice alternative to return.
Never forget to climb the Prekestolen. Hans in south germany

[JohnnyTh]

Originally Posted by hensmen

Hello Michael,
first just take a map, ore you will miss the nice roads, instead a new tent. Best to build up is a Salewa Mark II, aluminium instead fiberglas, one part system, packs very small.
The tyres are not important on your bike, beside they have to be new, cause off the tarmak. Take a Trangia for cooking, good weather clothing and boots for hicking. Don`t forget pictures and perhaps, when your german is good, take the "Felbinger" travelbook, has very good advices and nearly all camping grounds. Take something with you for fishing.
Hans,
Sorry no advice for clothing, most off the time it is too much, you can do washing on the camping.
If it is too cold, ferry Bergen Newcastle and back, nice alternative to return.
Never forget to climb the Prekestolen. Hans in south germany

There is no ferry from Norway to UK any more. Not for a few years :(
If you want to ride on gravel roads you will need to do some planning as they can be hard to find.

[francs]

Originally Posted by JohnnyTh

Hehe its not realy that cold already we are above frezing at nights. Late spring should mean atleast 8-10c at nights. Last year april and may was the best months we had that year.
Creditcard is nice but only places you need it to get gas is at the unatended petrol stations. Dont think i ever saw a toll road i could not pay with cash. Motorbikes normaly dont pay toll anyway.

Yes, if it don't rain. On a "panoramic" road the credit card was only way to pay toll.

[hensmen]

Hello Johnny, can`t believe it, the missing ferry, cause the boat from Bergen to Newcastle helped me from the freecing rain in late september to the smoothe one on the green island.
Beside, Michael there is a very good site, concerning traveling with small luggage from "Svendura", nice pictures and well written.
http://svendura.de/alle_reiseberichte.html
One good thing in Norway, you can buy all things you have forgotten.
Have a nice trip, Hans

[JohnnyTh]

Originally Posted by francs

Yes, if it don't rain. On a "panoramic" road the credit card was only way to pay toll.

Only rains if its not cold maybe its only norwegians that think like that. Im a all year camper so maybe i dont see the problems. But do buy a good thent, one that keeps the rain out.

Was that panoramic road private?

[MariusB]

Hi, Michael!
What parts of the country have you planned to see?
I really think you should visit the vest coast. Lots of nice places, fjords, mountains - has it all!

[francs]

Originally Posted by JohnnyTh

Only rains if its not cold maybe its only norwegians that think like that. Im a all year camper so maybe i dont see the problems. But do buy a good thent, one that keeps the rain out.

Was that panoramic road private?

Probably, I had perfect weather, only one day of rain, but that day temperature droped to 4°C (end of june) .
Don't know if it was private, we went one way and returned through tunel.

[pip_muenster]

Lots of good advise here already.

Do a test run and camp somewhere for at least one night, so you'll see what you need / don't need. The last 'cheap' chance to buy gear would be in Germany, f.e. you'll be passing by the HQ of globetrotter.de in Hamburg. Last chance for afforable beer, too.

[JohnnyTh]

I agree totaly on doing a test camp on one or even better two nights. 4°C or less is no problem if your tent, sleepingbag and sleeping pad is good enough. Put some money into the sleeping pad and get a good one. If your pad is to thin you loose a lot of body heat to the ground. The sleeping bag dont give much insulation to the ground. When i camp during winter i have thick pad i use on snow and use the same sleeping bag.