Sunday 25 July 2010

Day 3 Repvag to Honningsvag

Saturday 24th July
55.14km covered in 3hr02 (max speed 46.2kmph, average 18.1kmph)
Weather: Windier still. Dusting of showers
Terrain:Up down, and submarine 9%

Any sense of time is gone in the land of the midnight sun. We awake (was there an alarm), tounge furred and head very fuzzy from beer, wine, and was it schnapps?
Three cups of tea and we are away to Honningsvag. The forecast promised sun but instead overcast. It seems pretty dry and calm. So leggings but no waterprrofs. Up the hill, look at the sky to the north- looming dark clouds.... waterproofs on and gaffer trouser clips. Sliver shoes looking pro.
Wheels spinning, hangover slipping away. It's only 55k, it's nothing.
Wind starts up, no tail wind today just blustering across. I'm grateful for the crash barriers hugging the side of the road. The right side of the road. Incidentially was any one else unaware Norway isn't in the EU?
The hills are fun- I'm aiming for the polka dot jersey. Reindeers a plenty, with bells on. They race alongside us.
There are three tunnels awaited on this section, on the way to the first we wiggle around an inlet wind screaming down towards us. Leaning fully in. I hear Alice wobble off behind me but she doesn't fall- crash barrier.
Into the tunnel. It is awesome! 7 k long, 3.5k down, 3.5k up at 9%. No speed limit. But we're too cautious (I've already melted my brake pads down) so we slow down, brakes on- arms getting numb. Just imagine a road bike at full pelt!
The climb starts, lung busting, ever up......... and then the light, and now blown sideways again by the wind.
Take shelter eat our bread and butter (surplus from last night's soup course)
Two more tunnels, gusting inlets inbetween. Out of the third tunnel and Hello Honningswag!
Shall we go to Nordkapp tonight? No the hang over and solitary meal have taken their toll, to bed.



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