Scandanavian tour 2008 Queries...............

Gordon T · Derestricted Danger Joined: 27 Sep 2007 Karma :

Hoping to do a scandanavian tour next year but have a few things I need sorting out.
Been told that even in the summer, going North in say Sweden warrants the use of handwarmers. Is this so?
Also is it better to stay at hostels or camp sites (will obviously be taking a tent). I have budgeted about £600 per week for fuel, digs, food and beer etc. Is this enough?
Also been told that the price of booze over there is astronomical compared to what we pay here.
Ive been to Sweden a long time ago (22yrs ago to be exact) but as I was working there I didnt get to see much of the country other than a few industrial sites and the drinks tab etc was picked up by the company. What should I expect now if going over? I dont want to dipping into the plastic for any unwarranted expenses if I can help it. Always promised myself I would go back under my own steam and at my leisure to see more of the sights. Anyone help with ideas please.....Gordon.

leeves · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 28 Sep 2007 Karma :

i recently hiked through northern Europe and found the prices in sweden stupidly expensive compared to Norway / Finland. but 600quid will be more than enough per week. I have some useful sites your might want to visit with lots of information on hostels / prices of things. If you want them just drop me a pm and ill route them out for you.

-Levi
____________________
>> Honda VFR750 [1995]
>> Honda CBR 600 [1996]

feef · Energiser Bunny Joined: 11 Feb 2002 Karma :

Sounds good.. I'm hoping to do something similar. keep me posted as to what you find out Smile

a
____________________
Mudskipper wrote: feef, that is such a beautiful post that it gave me a lady tingle Laughing

Windchill calculator - London Bike parking
Blog and stuff - PlentyMoreFish dating

Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

In Finland you can camp free of charge outside campsites. Basically, you can pitch a tent anywhere you want, bar in a cultivated field, one with livestock on it or within the immediate vicinity of houses. It's called 'everyman's right'; we don't believe in the idea of a person owning the nature, it belongs to all of us. Just pull in when you see a little side road and pitch your tent there.

You'll start needing winter gloves in the evenings (say from 10pm) around late August on, but until then, summer stuff is adequate. Summer daytime temperatures tend to be around the mid-20s, even as high as mid/high 30s in July.

Take waterproofs, as the summer thunderstorms are legendary. And, take swimwear, as the lakes are gorgeous.

If you're going to Lapland, take mosquito repellant (not that it will probably work, as they're immune) and be prepared to wear long sleeves and trousers, the mozzies are everywhere as are the midges. They don't spread any diseases, but there are billions of them, all wanting to taste your English blood.

Riding in the dusk (7pm-ish; remember, it will be light until midnight, and if you go at the end of June, the sun doesn't set at all, as we've got the 24-hour daylight there), look out for moose; hitting one of these is fatal even in a car. They're the size of a large horse, and they panic in headlights, so you can't predict if they'll carry on across the road or if they'll turn back. Make sure your lights are strong enough.

Filtering is stricly illegal and you can be fined on the spot. We don't normally speed by more than 10-15% of the limit; any more and the fine would depend on our earnings the previous tax year. The roads are full of traffic police, both marked and unmarked, but there are no fixed cameras.

Petrol is about the same price as here (certainly in Finland), food in bars etc more expensive, beer I couldn't tell. Bottled water is rare, as our tap water is spring water, also, most of our rivers and streams have drinkable water.

Check this site for advice on where to go and how to do it. In Finland, I'd concentrate on Karelia (Karjala) and the Lake District (Jarvi-Suomi), as that's the best bit, as far as the nature is concerned.
____________________
My other bike's a Monster... Wink

Gordon T · Derestricted Danger Joined: 27 Sep 2007 Karma :

Thanks for that advice. I am willing to listen.
As for filtering, I take it going up the inside when the traffic isnt moving etc is what you mean? Surely you dont mean joining the traffic at a junction and nipping in as if your coming off a sliproad to join the main carriageway?

Paivi · World Chat Champion Joined: 30 Sep 2005 Karma :

Filtering, as in riding between lanes of moving traffic, i.e., overtaking/undertaking. If you find yourself in a traffic jam, you'll stay jammed. Luckily, we don't have that much traffic, so you should be OK, especially if don't travel around 8am and 4pm.
____________________
My other bike's a Monster... Wink

Nath · World Chat Champion Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Karma :

I hit Scandinavia for a couple of weeks during my big tour of Europe last year.

Gordon T · Derestricted Danger Joined: 27 Sep 2007 Karma :

Just out of curiosity I would welcome a suggestion as to which are the best set of hot grips to get. Only used them some time ago on someone elses bike and found them to be excellent (think they were Hondas own make). As Im trying to make everything easy for myself from the start I would also like to know which is the best breakdown insurance to get ie RAC or AA? Knowing my luck I might need them!