Stage 3 : Valldal - Lom

20. July 2009
Distance: 127 km (30-127 km)
Total ascent:

You can start when you like from Valldal and ride at your own pace for four flat kilometres to the docks at Linge. You can also choose from several different ferries and ride as you like from Eidsdal on the south-side of the fjord. Suggestion: Take the first ferry and ride the 20 kms up to 650 asl and a view worth stopping for. Then there are the hairpins taking you down the whole Ørnevegen ("Eagles road") Have a look at the road too.

The timed restart leaves downtown Geiranger app. 12:00, depending on next summers ferry schedule Nordal - Linge. Again: Leaving Valldal early will give you time to catch your breath -nervous of the restart or stunned at the sight. The competition classes then use the same route as local challenge "Nibberittet" and climb for 16 kilometres up to 1000m asl.

For the touring class we feel obliged to mention the view from Mt. Dalsnibba. 1500 meters down into the fjord, with cruise ships, waterfalls and Eagle road winding its way up on the other side. The catch is you have to take left at 1000 asl and climb a detour ascent of 500 meters on gravel while the racing class this year continue straight ahead for Lom.

Again the gravel can be hard to ride physically, but experience is very clear: all decently puncture resistant and fully inflated racing tires will do just fine. The annoying part is usually some loose gravel at the inside of turns, but again this is the same for all.

The racing class will be entering the upper part of Ottadalen valley. High speed riding on road 63 with its changing between flats and 70km/h group rolling. And river Otta follow us all the way with a temper to suit the bike speed: From quiet meandering curves to frantic rock-bottomed falls.

Whatever class and speed you prefer - you seldom get to ride this fast so easily -and with such nice company to share the nature. Pending the final go-ahead from local authorities, we plan for a short an brutal climb up to the timing line. Just as we are to enter Lom, there are two 90 degrees right turns and a 2,5 meter wide hairpin climb of 1,5 kilometer. A possible touch of European spring classics as there are houses roadside and hopefully more people than the VT crew guards to cheer you on.

Getting off you bike for the day, the local cycling club Ottadalen SK greet you with understanding, envy and local speciality "Skjåk County Power Soup."The down-town outdoors museum offer a wonderful collection of old Norwegian highland log houses and the best possile recovery for tired feet and inspired minds. If the 100 meters from Valhalla feel too long to walk, just lie right down in the grass and look up at one of Norways nicest stave churches instead.