Stage 5. Stranda – Geiranger - Stryn
111km – 1,980m vert
Neutral 35km – 890m vert
Today we have the Eagle Panoramic road to look forward to, but first up is yet another ferry, then 10km of tunnels. The Eagle Panoramic road, and down into Geireger was a
highlight. After catching a ferry we climbed up through a big valley to pop out beside a lake in a glacial formed valley. From there we enjoyed mountains and distant glaciers as we climbed slowly to the head of the valley, and eventually the overlook to Geireger. 500m straight below us, is Geireger floyd surrounded by high mountains. The most spectacular view of the trip.
After a quick coffee, it was race time.
After the shortest neutral section yet, 200m, we were off on the 1500m climb, over 21km, with the last 4 km at 10%. Sea level, up through the village, up again through the trees at 600m, then onward and up. It hurt, and it seems a blur around this point, as it was hurting too much. Eventually the 4km to go turn happened and it got really hard again as it kicked up for the last 400m vert over 4km. switch backs, and wind blown granite rock was the landscape under baking sun.
At the top, I did not even get a chance to see the view and it was off down
Down the steep part, yes we did the out and back on the steep part for the shake of it, then we had 40km of what looked like flat in the road book. Looks can be deceiving, as the scale was huge. What we had was 40km of rolling with the last 15km on gravel, that climbed at a nice steady 4% to the finish. Luckily I was in the group for the gentle downhill, then false flat and climb up on the gravel, otherwise it would have been a long day. I won the group sprint from our group as I went early, with 1.5km to go, and just went hard. Some satisfaction for the day after been dropped by the leaders early in the climb.
The finish was up the top of Strynefjell, a ski resort where we could see glaciers in the distance and splattering of snow still on the group. There was also a glacial lake to top off the scenery and after a quick leg bath I started the down hill to Stryn where we will spend two nights.
Little did we know we had a 1000m downhill, which we will climb in 2 days time, then a 30km gentle downhill all the way into the village. A long way at the end of a long day. I was able to latch onto some fellow Dutchies and we drag raced to the coffee and cake stop, before drag racing all the way into town. The drag race was to get to a bike shop, as one of the other guys had broken his derailer today, and my rear wheel was delaminating.
His dereailer fixed, my rear wheel will wait until I am home, and I have borrowed someones spare wheel for the couple of days.
A long day 160km, and a lot of climbing. Into the hotel, and it is HOT.
Styrn – on a river, which we followed from the start, and at sea level. The biggest town we have stayed in so far, and it even has a restaurant. Shock and horror, but we still demolished the hotel buffet as it was a good one.
Off to bed, and pretty shattered. Another day tomorrow.
111km – 1,980m vert
Neutral 35km – 890m vert
Today we have the Eagle Panoramic road to look forward to, but first up is yet another ferry, then 10km of tunnels. The Eagle Panoramic road, and down into Geireger was a
After a quick coffee, it was race time.
After the shortest neutral section yet, 200m, we were off on the 1500m climb, over 21km, with the last 4 km at 10%. Sea level, up through the village, up again through the trees at 600m, then onward and up. It hurt, and it seems a blur around this point, as it was hurting too much. Eventually the 4km to go turn happened and it got really hard again as it kicked up for the last 400m vert over 4km. switch backs, and wind blown granite rock was the landscape under baking sun.At the top, I did not even get a chance to see the view and it was off down
Down the steep part, yes we did the out and back on the steep part for the shake of it, then we had 40km of what looked like flat in the road book. Looks can be deceiving, as the scale was huge. What we had was 40km of rolling with the last 15km on gravel, that climbed at a nice steady 4% to the finish. Luckily I was in the group for the gentle downhill, then false flat and climb up on the gravel, otherwise it would have been a long day. I won the group sprint from our group as I went early, with 1.5km to go, and just went hard. Some satisfaction for the day after been dropped by the leaders early in the climb.
The finish was up the top of Strynefjell, a ski resort where we could see glaciers in the distance and splattering of snow still on the group. There was also a glacial lake to top off the scenery and after a quick leg bath I started the down hill to Stryn where we will spend two nights.Little did we know we had a 1000m downhill, which we will climb in 2 days time, then a 30km gentle downhill all the way into the village. A long way at the end of a long day. I was able to latch onto some fellow Dutchies and we drag raced to the coffee and cake stop, before drag racing all the way into town. The drag race was to get to a bike shop, as one of the other guys had broken his derailer today, and my rear wheel was delaminating.
His dereailer fixed, my rear wheel will wait until I am home, and I have borrowed someones spare wheel for the couple of days.
A long day 160km, and a lot of climbing. Into the hotel, and it is HOT.
Styrn – on a river, which we followed from the start, and at sea level. The biggest town we have stayed in so far, and it even has a restaurant. Shock and horror, but we still demolished the hotel buffet as it was a good one.Off to bed, and pretty shattered. Another day tomorrow.
