Road trip - Norway or bust

I managed to get the side screens fixed in place but didn't have time to get the soft top on but it was time for a little relaxation anyway. Neil and his son Daniel were up for a nice long road trip so we decided to head for Lillehammer in Norway the site for the 94 winter Olympics. Neil took his Suzuki Bandit and Dan kept me company in the kit. Weather was pretty good but there was rain forecast for the journey home. With the side screens in place the wind turbulence in the cockpit was reduced remarkably, the only slight problem was the side pressure pushing in the screens. At 80mph the pressure was quite significant which didn't make things easy for my "frozen" shoulder so occasionally I had to lean towards the passenger side.

Very hot day but no helmet or leather gear required - for us in the car at least :-)

Left home at 2pm Wednesday, picked up Dan in Borlänge and drove until 10pm which took us inside the border of Norway about 320 miles in total. Weather was great all the way. 

Wasn't really sure if it was going to rain during the night. If you look closely at the exhaust, side panel and rear wing you can see the results of hitting a fresh cow pat at 80k's. Good job we had the side screens on - there's mud in yer eye!

Lillehammer - reached by Thursday lunchtime. Walked up to the top, took a couple of photos and then walked down again - mission accomplished!

They can fix anything these days.

Then came the rain. We got some funny looks but with the side screens on the rain just blew over the top and left us quite dry. I need to put some sealant between the scuttle and side panels as water leaked in slightly.

Another night, this time in tents and I would say that it topped my all time list of worse experiences ever - bloody cold! Actually Norway was extremely expensive, camping, food, drink. Don't you want tourists Norway??

We were happy to get back to Sweden and headed for Sälen where the clouds cleared, the sun shone and the prices are reasonable. The roads around the Swedish Fjällen (mountains), ski resort country are absolutely fantastic. Beautiful forest roads in great condition, hardly any traffic and curves you wouldn't believe. I can highly recommend a road trip up there as even the accommodation at the ski resorts is cheap this time of year. 

Back into Sweden, and the ski resort Tandådalen

After a great night at the Ski Lodge in Lindvallen where we drank beer in the bar and watched the opening ceremony of the OS while a duo (John Mitchell & Ann-Sofie Jonsson) played Scottish, Irish and Swedish folk music it was time for final drive home.

Last song "Whiskey in a jar"

I have to mention that the car performed brilliantly. It took us safely 900 miles to Lillehammer and back in three days without a hitch. I still can't believe the fuel consumption and how many miles to the tank it does. Even driving at a constant 80 mph it still managed about 36 miles per gallon (8litres/100km) and easily 260 miles (420km) per tank. Well done GKD and Peter for an immensely fun car to build, to drive, to own as well as being comfortable, economical and above all safe.