Dodging Rain, Finding Shelter: A Day of Surprises on Norway’s Roads
Today was another day of riding some of Norway’s fantastic winding roads. The kind of roads that make you feel connected to the landscape—twisting along fjords, through forests, and across open stretches of countryside. By lunchtime, we reached our only ferry crossing for the day. The crossing itself was short, just a 15-minute trip across a narrow fjord, with quaint coffee huts flanking both sides of the water. Since we didn’t have to wait long for the ferry, we decided to try the café on the opposite shore after the crossing.
Skipping our usual routine of putting in earplugs and gloves, we rolled onto the ferry for the quick hop across the water. Once on the other side, we eagerly rode over to the café, only to find it closed! Frustrating, to say the least. So, back to our gear—earplugs in, gloves on, jackets zipped—and we joined the line of motorhomes waiting to disembark. These campers can be slow, so a quick overtake was in order to regain the road and our view of the scenery instead of staring at the square backs of RVs. Of course, safety first, but with the power of our bikes, we were back to the front in no time.
About 15 kilometers later, we saw a sign for a rest stop with a café, gas station, and some shops. We pulled in, hoping to finally grab lunch. It took some searching, though! What we first thought was a terrace turned out to be a display of garden furniture for sale. After a bit more poking around, we found the café tucked behind a small shopping center. A hidden gem! We settled in for a delicious burger with sweet potatoes and a much-needed cup of coffee. The weather was still holding up nicely at that point—sunny and a pleasant 20 degrees.
The afternoon brought a change in the weather, with clouds rolling in and temperatures dropping to 13 degrees. We had already started scouting for campgrounds around Molde and, after a quick check of the forecast, we realized rain was on its way. Not just a drizzle, but heavy rain starting around 5 PM and lasting all night. We found a campsite with cabins, Kviltorp Camping, and decided to book a small hut. Just five minutes before arriving, the skies opened up and the downpour began. By the time we got to Kviltorp, it was really pouring.
At the reception, we learned the cabin was available but for a higher price than what we had seen online—650 NOK had suddenly jumped to 1025 NOK. Apparently, the lower price was without bedding and cleaning, and that was non-negotiable. We could pitch a tent, but with the rain hammering down, we weren’t about to camp in a downpour. So, we paid the extra fee, and honestly, it was worth every krone. The cabin was cozy, warm, and dry, with fresh linens and even towels included, not to mention the shower tokens. As we settled in, we could sit by the window, watching the rain continue to hammer the landscape outside. It felt like a luxury, and compared to some other places we’ve stayed, this one was pristine.
When the rain eased up a bit, we walked over to the nearby supermarket, just 100 meters away, to pick up dinner. The convenience of having everything so close is something you appreciate after a long, wet day on the road. Tomorrow morning, we’ll grab fresh bread for breakfast and pack some for lunch as well.
All in all, it was a nice, relaxing evening. We even had the time to charge all our devices fully—ready for the next day’s adventures. One thing that was quite noticeable here: the campsite is right in the landing and takeoff route of a local airport. Surprisingly, the planes make more noise landing than they do during takeoff, something we found oddly fascinating.
Oh, and one more thing—the whiskey bottle is officially empty, meaning I’ve just freed up some extra space in my luggage! 😂👍
As the night winds down, I’m looking forward to sleeping in an actual bed. After weeks on a sleeping mat, a proper mattress is a luxury. We’ve settled the debate over who gets the top bunk, with the youngest taking the high road this time. As the oldest, I was fine with that—though as a kid, this kind of decision might have caused a fuss. Funny how perspectives change! 😁
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