Some roads are just waiting for us motorcyclists. Along the Randsfjord we find some of them. A nice after noon trip from Oslo and I defied the cold wind. It became colder than I had expected – but oh my, what roads I had to frolic on and almost the whole way I was surrounded by a wonderful splendor of flowers. And the traffic? It was elsewhere!
I have learned by now; the key to get quickly to the entertaining riding along Randsfjorden to Brandbu lies in getting off the E16 at Olum. The sign says 241 Olum and Storetjern. I enjoy the bends and roll down the slopes and past Jevnaker church. Then the sign 240 Brandbu appears, and I turn right and through the railway underpass. I must have at least one trip here every year and cannot remember the first time I enjoyed the curves northwards on the east side of the Randsfjord, it must have been in the early eighties on GS 400. As far as I remember, this has always been an entertaining road with predictable quality.
County road 240 (Fv 240) is the official name of this road, or Fjordlinna which is the local name. The word linna means line or stretch of road and can also refer to a railway line. Right now, I am in an area with many linna, and they show on my GPS at irregular intervals.
Fjordlinna is my favourite linna and runs from FV240 to Tingelstad where Jorstadlinna comes next and Fv240 turns from being Fjordlinna to being Grinakerlinna. If you like curves, Fjordlinna is a fantastic road. If you are not familiar with it, it is worth mentioning that some of the right turns are a bit tight in the middle, so do not set your ambitions too high the first time you ride here. I recognise that it is early in the season. I have caught myself wanting to turn on the right indicator with my right thumb, and in the corners, I still miss the solid stability of the RS. The Honda is a bit more nervous, but it is mostly about getting used to it – I had some fantastic rides on the Honda at the end of the season last year.
I have got my sights set on Randsfjorden today. I needed a proper motorbike ride. I am already freezing. The sun is conspicuous by its absence and the wind is cold. And my jacket is in the luggage. Despite the chilly air – it is spring, and both the ground and the trees are blooming. Not fruit blossoms, but hedges and lilacs, beautiful, nonetheless.
At Hov, the road turns eastwards and up the hill and I ride over to Grinakerlinna. I am going over to Aschimlinna and turn left to Askimlandet. I intend to ride along the fjord to Røykenvika. At the top of the hill, what looks like the main road goes to the right towards Røken, you get to Røykenvika that way too, but I intend to go a little further and roll down towards the fjord again until I reach Fjordsvegen and turn right. Here it is a bit bumpy, but a gravel road. It is narrow and invites more of a cosy ride than speed. A suitable detour if you plan to continue northwards along Randsfjorden.
Røykenvika has become busy with a museum and the restaurants Lokstallen restaurant and D/S Oscar II summer restaurant and can be a suitable stop before setting out on Røykenviklinna, sorry Fv 34. It is great cornering ahead, and now we are dancing through the bends. Just after the long-left turn where I ride over Gullerudelva, I leave Røykenlinna and ride over to Hornslinna and I am still on Fv 34 and the road is just as beautiful, and the bends are still smooth and inviting – it does not seem to end.
At Horn, I have an opportunity to shorten the trip, but have recovered a little now and choose to continue. The road gets a little more boring as I approach Hov. I take a short break and a waffle and take the opportunity to put on the jacket I have really missed since the Sinsen junction.
Then we are off again. I consider whether I should ride all the way to Dokka, or whether I should take a slightly shorter round. The road after Fluberg bridge is not among the most exciting and I decide that turning round at Fluberg bridge qualifies for the Randsfjorden Rundt.
In Germany they have Die Grüne Hölle, we have Vestsidevegen. Well, maybe not quite the same, but what a road this is, and it can be like riding in a green hell if you do not like corners. But for those who like challenging corners, it is not far off the Nürburgring. But there are some significant differences: there are speed limits to be respected, and instead of kerbs and exit zones, the rail guard is right on the edge of the asphalt, there are short distances to fence posts and trees, and last but not least – the traffic goes in both directions! The bends, some open and with godd vivibility, others demanding and surprisingly tight and combined with hilltops, makes Vestsidevegen a pleasure for us on two wheels. I have a wonderful piece of road ahead!
Most of Vestsidevegen is in the shade now, but it does not matter! The bends and hilltops are rushing towards me, I must hold back a little – I have to find the flow and rhythm. I should not get too eager, that wil spoil the ride. Finding a good rhytm is essentila for a nice ride and I do not have to push the speed limit to have an entertaining ride. In one moment the trees are right next to the road on both sides, the next moment the landscape opens with magnificent views to the east over the Randsfjord and the villages on the eastern side where I just came from. This is a beautiful piece of Norway, and with a flawless piece of asphalt. They do not make them like this anymore.
There will be no stop for waffle number two at Bjoneroa, now it is straight home. The 14-litre tank has so far given me a total of 350 kilometres since the last refuelling, and the red warning light that reveals that there are about three litres left has not lit up. As I pass the ferry south of Bjoneroa, the new electric ferry is filling up. But I am on the right side of the lake and continue southwards to Jevnaker. In Jevnaker the fuel warning light lit up. I refuel in Roa. The BMW with its 23-litre tank gave me a good range, and I have been sceptical about whether a 14-litre tank would be a bit stressful – for no reason. With just over 380 kilometres on the trip meter and almost three litres left in the tank, 400 kilometres between each visit to the petrol station is within reach with a good margin, that suits me.
This short version of the Randsfjorden round trip is about 290 kilometres from Oslo. But if you count the Vang junction as the start and finish the round trip via Fluberg Bru is about 150 km, if you ride up to Dokka it is 177 km and if you make a return journey at Horn and take the ferry across to Bjoneroa, the trip, including a waffle stop in Bjoneroa, is 92 km – but then you miss out on a lot of fun. Fluberg bridge is recommendable as turning point for the round trip. Fjordlinna, Aschimlinna, Fjordsvegen, Røykenviklinna, Hornslinna and Vestsidevegen are highly recommended. Ride beautifully 😊