I always thought today would be the first real test of the route, climbing over Ifjordfell Pass. But the first job of every day was sorting out my battery packs. I have brought two packs, for charging phone, camera, speakers etc but they had not been getting enough charge into them and as such my phone battery kept getting very low. The logic of bringing two was that I can leave them charging in the toilet block, and if one gets stolen I’m not completely stuck. Also I don’t need to leave the phone or camera hanging around. I’m getting the right mindset and looking for all oppertunities. Last night in the restaurant I was eyeing up plug sockets upon arrival, and got a table close to one.  In Tana I discovered the caravan hookups were live, so would look out for those as well in future, I’m sure it’s perfectly safe!

I packed up and went to the co-op to buy my first food in Norway. Prices were much more expensive, and my staple cycling foods were not available. I couldn’t get the small rye bread so ended up buying the smallest/chespest loaf I could get which was a particularly crusty rustic loaf which would last me a couple of days. This was backed up with Jarlsburg cheese, tomatoes and the addictive Tupla bar (most are like mars bars – but one type is designed to break your teeth!).

I left Tana-bru on the road 98 which again was very a quiet, with the majority of traffic staying on the E75. The first part of the road was flat following the Tana towards the Barents Sea and then it gave me the first small climbs on the way to Smalfjord.

The roads were pretty bad with potholes and gaps, at one point I was keeping pace with two guys in a road maintenance truck. They were putting a bucket of asphalt in some of the bigger holes but following behind them they missed loads of holes. It was a warmish day and I stopped to look at the views (eating my massive loaf of bread) on a number of occasions. The the views of the river and then the fjords were stunning. The overall setting was beautiful.

When I got to the Ifjordfell Pass it was clear that large scale road rebuilding program was in progress. I started cycling up the pass but soon the temporary road surface was so poor walking was the only choice. One car came past with its passenger running behind to advise the driver where to avoid grounding out the car. It was a long dusty walk up – I think around 8 kilometres.

After a long walk I stopped to ask a digger driver how much further the roadworks stretched (my fear was I’d have to walk down too). He strangely asked where I was going (as if there was a choice) and said about 2 kilometres further and it was downhill 25 kilometres all the way to Ifjord. He wasn’t exactly correct as there were some pretty stiff uphill stretches, but the brand new road down was a joy and I was hitting 60 km/h at some points which is pretty good for a cautious rider with a 20 kg load and the best way to deal with the barren landscape.

I found the campsite, after an initial fear it was closed (which I think was a hotel up the road), was offered a cabin but decided to camp. A nice site in a good location in a ravine surrounded by rivers, and the campsite cafe/shop at the top overlooking the ravine. I pitched the tent and decided to eat in the cafe as it was getting cold quickly, a simple burger and chips, a beer, a twix and a coffee was about 250 NOK (about £20) but with the views it was better than huddling over a stove of pasta.

24 June 2015, Distance Cycled 90 km, Total Distance 575 km.