The transport
I had been thinking of teaming up with Bror, Tom and Knut on of their trips southbound, and not just planning their routes. This year it was time to go along. I made a route they agreed upon without objections. The terms were clear; there would be some long stages and there could be many hours on the bike. They all agreed, and I had to prepare for some extra breaks as it always is when we ride together. Departure was planned for Friday afternoon.
Oslo – Malmö
DAY 1 – Friday 31.8.2018
I started from the office in Oslo at about two o’clock and met Bror (BMW K1300S), Knut (BMW K1300S) and Tom (Yamaha XT1200) at Solbergtaarnet south of Sarpsborg. Then we continued south on E6 and we had some nice riding with little traffic – that was until we got to Gothenburg. We had some traffic through Gothenburg. We made a break for refuelling and a smoke at Mölndal. Next stop is Malmö, that was the plan. But the clouds became darker and after a bit of wet asphalt over the Hallandsaasen we stopped at Hjärnarp and put on rainwear.
I started from the office in Oslo at about two o’clock and met Bror (BMW K1300S), Knut (BMW K1300S) and Tom (Yamaha XT1200) at Solbergtaarnet south of Sarpsborg. Then we continued south on E6 and we had some nice riding with little traffic – that was until we got to Gothenburg. We had some traffic through Gothenburg. We made a break for refuelling and a smoke at Mölndal. Next stop is Malmö, that was the plan. But the clouds became darker and after a bit of wet asphalt over the Hallandsaasen we stopped at Hjärnarp and put on rainwear.
If the trip through Sweden was boring? Yes, relatively and the ride through the parking garage in Malmö became today’s riding highlight.
We went for the hotel restaurant where we had a better dinner, actually very good. From the dinner it was straight to bed and I slept from the moment my head hit the pillow.
Todays distance: 636 km – 397 miles
Malmö – Lübeck – Knüllwald
DAY 2: Saturday 1.9..2018
I had planned the trip, and as I tend to plan some offensive transport stages this was a daring order from Bror, Knut and Tom. By leaving Friday after work and we had already done away with approx. 640 km of Saturday’s leg, and the Saturday ride should be quite comfortable.
Surprise: We were on the bikes before eight! We refuelled at the nearest petrol station and the Öresund Bridge was next stop – for toll! Then Rödby, where we got a half-hour break before we were on board the ferry to Germany. Flat water and smooth sailing across to Puttgarden. The next stop was at the Louis shop in Lübeck. Tom and Bror used the campaign prices on new Schubert helmets, and they agreed to pick them up on their way home. We refuelled and were ready for the Autobahn south.
I have some bad experiences with the A7 between Ausfahrt 47 and 51, and since we had plenty of time – the day’s stage was a total of approx. 650 km – we chose to take off at Ausfahrt 45 and drive via Bergen, Winsen (Aller) and Fuhrberg to enter the A7 again at Ausfahrt 52.
The rest of the ride was pure Autobahn transport and went smoothly. Some took the opportunity to improve personal speed records, while others made the transport relatively fast anyway. We parked at a quarter to seven in front of the Hotel Tann-Eck in Knüllwald, and after a better dinner and a German high and blond beer I fell asleep as I body met the sheet of my bed.
Todays distance: 704 km – 440 miles
Read about the other stages on Il grande tour nelle Alpi 2018 here:
Day 1 + 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7 + 8 + 9.
