Searching for energy
After a short night's sleep, I thought I was ready for the next stage of the Ténéré Travel Trophy, but the nights remained short, and fatigue slowly started to take its toll. What I initially didn’t notice were the first signs of exhaustion.
The Challenge of the route to Stage 4 finish
The ride to the Stage 4 finish location was almost 270 kilometers straight ahead, but in Norway, distances and roads are very different from the Netherlands or Germany. The roads are more technical and much narrower, especially in the north. This often results in longer travel times and requires a great deal of concentration and energy. Part of the route overlapped with that of the participants, passing through the stunning area of Jotunheimen, known for its majestic mountains and natural beauty.
The first two hours of driving the bus went well, but then fatigue set in. A “man with the hammer” cunningly sat on the co-driver’s seat, and I noticed my energy was waning. Nevertheless, I kept pushing myself to reach the finish location on time. Suddenly, that ‘man with the hammer’ struck hard, and I nearly ended up in the ditch with the bus. Luckily, I managed to get the bus back on the road without damage. This was only possible because I instinctively relied on muscle memory, but I needed a moment to recover and check if everything was in order. It was a tiring day, but I kept going, partly because the luggage bus still had to arrive in Grimsbu — with a few extra stops along the way.
Finish of Stage 4 and the lost Mug 2.0
Grimsbu Turistsenter wasn’t the most modern accommodation, but it was clean and the owners were very hospitable. By then, my husband and other participants had ridden through the forest area near Grimsbu several times, highlighting how beautiful and challenging the environment was.
That evening, I discovered I had forgotten my Mug 2.0 drone at Bøflaten Camping. Luckily, the campground staff kept it safe until I could pick it up later. With that reassurance, I quickly fell asleep, hoping for a better day ahead.
A short ride to the finish of the Ténéré Travel Trophy
The next morning, a relatively short ride was planned, with only a few stops for drinks and a bit of diesel for the bus. The finish of Stage 5 and the Ténéré Travel Trophy was located at the famous Trollstigen, a must-see location in Norway. The closer we got, the more impressive the waterfalls and steep rock walls became.
Facing challenges and highlights
The route was not without risks for the participants, especially due to unpredictable weather making several wooden bridges extremely slippery. Additionally, we had to be mindful of Norway’s strict speed limits; fines are hefty — for example, someone was stopped for only 10 km/h over the limit and had to pay more than € 400,-.
After a challenging day, our trip culminated with dinner at the Eggen Restaurant above Åndalsnes, accessible via an exciting gondola ride that I found quite thrilling. The view of the mountains was breathtaking and was the perfect ending to a week full of adventure, highlights, and challenges.
Midsummer night and a joint farewell
After dinner, we returned to the campsite, where I spent the evening with my husband. Later, we drove to our own cabin at Mjelva Camping to end the week peacefully. It was special to stay until midnight, along with all the participants who had just returned from the festive. It was Midsummer Night — which meant it was not going to be dark at all.
Ready for the next adventure
By midnight, I finally managed to rest together with my husband, ready for my own solo adventure that would start after the Ténéré Travel Trophy. Norway’s landscapes continue to inspire, full of breathtaking scenery and unforgettable moments that I will cherish forever.
Copyright photographs: Dutch Minion and her bike and Greg vandevyver
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