(Just testing the blog thingy)

I went exploring some backroads this weekend. Sometimes it feels like I've "used up" all the roads in Oslo's immediate vicinity, but once I head out there, I always find some forest roads crisscrossing the valleys and mountains between the main roads. I just have to let go of the notion that my bike is a street bike.

I headed towards Hønefoss first. I've driven past there a few times the last few months, but haven't stopped yet. Stomach cringes when I look at the island.

Continued up Hallingdal to Sokna and left the main road. 20 km until public road ends, the signs said, which lit up the mood.

Interesting red rocks that caught my eye. I saw this several other places along the valley, and the color was a lot sharper than it looks in the photo. Cool.

An equestrian senter all of a sudden, near a lake.

End of public road, and 50 NOK to continue on the private one.

I had no coins, and the machine didn't take cards... but what's this? Surely it must mean that motorcyclists can ignore the toll and continue on (even though the toll sign said otherwise). I play stupid and sneak by :-)

Waterfall a few minutes later.. the river has been "walled" by loggers a long long time ago.

Made me wonder how long that log had been stuck there. It also reminded me of the Discovery channel show about the guys looking for lumber like this. I'm sure that's a fortune that's stuck there!

Several plaques along the way, describing the history of the area. Felt slightly guilty I hadn't paid the toll at this point. The first one is about bear hunters. Apparently, the long south- and sun-facing slope thawed and flowered early in the spring, making it a popular area for hungry bears after the winter.

This one was about the resistance movement during the war. About 200 militia used the valley and hillsides as a homebase, ready to destroy the railway to Bergen on order from London. They received more than 150 tonnes of supplies by air drop during the war, and the code for air drop at the Lauvskard mountain was "happy camel".

Rest stop for lunch.. life is good.

The sheep, like the horses, were really wary. I guess they don't see many visitors here. This was as close as I got, however it would repeat about 4-5 times, as they seemed oblivious to the idea that they would have to get off the road to escape the big, dangerous monster on two wheels.

Trees, trees and more trees.

Perfect conditions for a street bike.

The road got better, the weather worse.

Last photo, just a bridge and a bend before the first rain drops.

A wonderful way to spend a lazy September Saturday. About 250 km (155 miles) in 7-8 hours (.... right, at least you use normal units for time keeping ;-) ). No one can accuse me of speeding at least.