From Sandane to Geiranger, the route combined long mileage, sustained elevation, and unpredictable mountain weather. What followed tested not just fitness, but preparation and adaptability.
Day 4: Sandane ➡️Ulsteinvik
- 112 km
- 1,855 m elevation
Effective layering makes a difference, allowing you to adapt quickly to changing temperatures without stopping your ride.
Women's 3000 Zip
Evolution Shorts
Day 5: Ulsteinvik ➡️Åndalsnes
- 115.6 km
- 1,172 m elevation
And then came the defining climb.
Day 6: Åndalsnes ➡️Geiranger (Trollstigen)
- 86.8 km
- 2,264 m elevation
Trollstigen, Norway’s iconic climb, rises through eleven hairpin bends over six kilometers, with sustained 9–10% gradients. The ascent was challenging. The descent was worse.
We hadn’t planned for cold.
Despite packing summer cycling apparel, temperatures dropped sharply at elevation. Rain followed us over the fjords, soaking layers and turning descents into endurance tests. I was shivering so hard my watch began flagging abnormal heart rate alerts. At one point, I cried, more from cold than fatigue.
Adding to the challenge were the ferries.
Multiple crossings, including the scenic Geiranger to Hellesylt route past the Seven Sisters and Bridal Veil waterfalls, broke the riding rhythm. Legs cooled. Momentum disappeared. Restarting became its own challenge.
