Buknesfjord – Andenes

Day 5

71km / 388m climb

I had been looking forward to a shorter and flatter day today – only 71km! It wasn’t long ago that this would have been a very big ask of each of us but we have trained hard for many months to undertake this challenge and are confident that we can all do it. It’s not just the fact that we have to cycle 71km, it is the fact that we have spent much of the last four days in the saddle clocking up 373km so far. Our legs are heavy and tired but these symptoms are not the preserve of our legs alone. Arms, shoulders and backs ache too and there is a general feeling of fatigue. However, I observed at breakfast as I did over supper last night, that it is not the aches and pains that are the focus of our conversation, it is the excitement, the undiscovered roads, the challenge, the friendships that are developing and strengthening and a common aim that motivates us. That aim is to live well with Parkinson’s and to encourage and hopefully inspire others living with Parkinson’s to do the same. By ‘the same’, I don’t mean that cycling around Norway is required but regular exercise has been shown to delay the progression of Parkinson’s and any exercise is better than none. The majority of this group were not cyclists before their diagnosis. They have taken up the activity after being diagnosed and have benefitted so much from exercising and socialising that some of the group have set up an onlione cycling group specifically for people with Parkinson’s to facilitate and encourage others to join in, meet some new people, do some of that all importent exercise and have fun! Click on ZWAP Club to find details of what is available for people with Parkinson’s

ZWAP Club

Our ride today was beautiful yet again as we took the coast road between Buknesfjord and Andenes. Frequently we come across road closures when out cycling and often what is impassable for cars is possible on a bike. We pride ourselves that we are rarely beaten by a road closure. Not the case today. An hour or so from our destination, we came across a truck blocking the road and the driver giving very clear instructions not to proceed past it. The reason for this? A rocket launch. We thought we had heard incorrectly but ten minutes later we did indeed witness a rocket launch. not something we see everyday but then there is nothing routine about this challenge.

Last nights accommodation in Buknesfjord was set in a stunning location and was miles from anything else. Tonights accommodation is in the very small town of Andenes. not so scenic but with a couple of restaurants and a Coop we are able to restock our cycling supplies, eat well and catch up with family, social media, blogs and of course washing and preparing for tomorrow.

It will be an early start tomorrow, we need to be checked out and at the ferry terminal by 7.30 am for a crossing that will take a couple of hours and promises to be choppy waters. The jury is out as to wether this is preferable to sitting on a saddle or not!