2013-06-22/23 47th Styrkeprøven, Norway..

www.styrkeproven.no

Garmin: [ame]http://connect.garmin.com/activity/195852662[/ame]

route courtesy of Kristian who completed this in 2012 with amazing stats..

i should have done this last year, but I'm signed in for 2013, don't know if I have the strength, legs, endurance.. But 540km in 36hrs with quality squad riders for the weekend got to be worth the agony, banter, epic scenery, crazy prices, road porn..

1. esstee
   
2. Rob (esstee brother)
   
3. almac68
   
   

Just need to sort out flights, some nice squad gilets, and accommodation in Oslo..

Good work Al. I'm gonna sort out the details tomorrow and we can look at flights. Team training run Swansea > London some time soon.

I have an enquiry with STA travel.. If Kristian joins us.. Flight package for 4 of us, with SAS airlines from heathrow to oslo with bike boxes..
Organisers can do transit and overnight stay in Trondheim.. Approx 4,500 NOK ground costs, just waiting for flight costs.

Ok sounds good you coming for a ride on saturday? We can chat then.

See you on Saturday.. Plenty to discuss, Ardennes trip first though..

Indeed.

eurghh... I did vow last year I'd never do it again as too effing long but I think i need it for lel... and my boss has kindly given me the time off - booking on wednesday:

1. esstee
   
2. Rob (esstee brother)
   
3. almac68
   
4. kristian
   
   

BTW I plan to fly direct (or as direct as possible) on Friday (I was lucky to be able to get that off) and just start cycling (after a snooze on the grass). FYI last time I stayed at **Thon Gildevangen **1 x twin room for two nights was 218quid inc breakfast. Be aware that you need a hard case/box for your bike if you fly out of Gatwick.

Welcome aboard Kristian..

We are considering SAS flight to Trondheim out Thursday PM.
with a departure at fri/sat 00hrs hopefully complete within 36hr.

See need to find somewhere to stay in Oslo.

Will you hit the ground running?

Will you hit the ground running?

Only if I hear Trrrrooooooooollllll!!!

We are considering SAS flight to Trondheim out Thursday PM.

Unfortunately I can't get any time off on Thursday - loads of people are already off :-(

See need to find somewhere to stay in Oslo.

When are you planning to fly back?

Kristian our flight plan..

out thursdsay 22 june 2013 norwegian air
london gatwick to trondheim DY1341
arr 23.30

back tuesday 25 june 2013 norwegian air
oslo-gardermoen to london gatwick DY1310
arr 19:30

all signed up + flights.. chat Friday!

All booked, job done. Have to start riding a bit further than the pub then.

i am planning a ride from leamington spa to london (shakespeare ride) when we get back from the ardennes.. need to be at marylebone station early doors, mind.

also suggest perhaps nottingham to london..
then swansea to london..
to rack up those distances.. for the styrke..

Kristian, i haven't booked accomodation in oslo..
assuming you'll know where the hookers and cocaine will be
;)

#codenameforagentlenightinthesuburbs

or do we go for the ice bath and vodka luge??

All those rides sound good Al. I'll refrain from passing comment on the cocaine and hookers on a public forum, but I have the impression that 'everything' is expensive in Norway!

okay, i'm sorted for accommodation in trondheim as part of the tour package. I will ask my mates in Oslo, about where to stay. prefer not to kip on their floor.

btw they work for the best architects in the northern hemisphere..
http://www.snoarc.no/

http://sagahoteloslo.no/en/the-hotel?gclid=CL79k4Tb5bYCFe3MtAodblEAGA

i have got a pretty good deal here for our stay in oslo..
2nights 2 twin rooms = £508 includes breakfast.

Let me know what you think. also i have asked hotel to assist with
pick up from the finish as we will have bike boxes and stuff
to collect

I was about to mention the start line is at an industrial park at the edge of town so a pickup would be best (although oslo is quite small - no-one will want to ride back :-) ).

I'm actually staying on my mates floor until Tuesday to save money - I also went with ryanair as they go to Stanstead which is easier for me. Hotel looks nice though and I know the area plenty of trams\trains etc..

Definitely up for beers after - I'll bring my friend who will be able to advise on watering holes... I think he's just become editor of a Norwegian cycling website so I'm trying to convince him to join us for the ride.

thanks kristian, I'll see what Stu and Rob think about accommodation... before altering booking.. i think i found the finish area off the Økern Road.. looks like the north circular, much prefer to stay close to Centrum

Anker Hostel is where I usually stay in Oslo. Cheap, and clean is all I can say about it.

You guys are mad.

I might do this next year though.

PM me if I can help in any way (other than water carrier for the million mountain kilometers).

All the best.

Nice one SF thanks for the tip, you're welcome next year if there's anything left of us.

Al, hotel sounds good, Rob and I are happy to go with that, but we're happy to go with a hostel too.

My requirements for sleeping quarters consist of a roughly level surface and thats about it really.

thanks SF, we are now booked into:-

Anker Hostel..
Storgata 55
Oslo, 0182
Norway

only 3 rooms remaining and slashed our accommodation costs by 50%.. which means more time on the vodka luge and in the ice bath.. plus reindeer is back on the menu.

I need to learn some norwegian jokes..

Almac

Anker Hostel is walking distance from the train/bus station. So getting there is easy.