2nd Class Citizens…

It’s that time of year when many of the mountain roads are either open or about to open. Cyclists have many questions regarding which roads are officially open and where they can cycle exactly.

At times, I feel I get contradictory answers and information from the authorities and locals alike. What is actually illegal and what is not is hard to know, and many rules seem arbitrary.  

As a cyclist, I often feel like a second-class citizen due to the lack of specific information provided by authorities. This makes it difficult for Cycle Norway to provide comprehensive answers to concerned cycle tourists eager to ride in the mountains in early June. There is no single source that provides the status of every road, especially gravel roads.

For example, Jotunheimenvegen, one of the most famous gravel roads, opened on May 30th this year, despite its official opening date being June 20th. The early opening was due to low snow levels and a warm May, but unless you’re a local or have been there in person, you wouldn’t know this.

To address this, Cycle Norway has set up a WhatsApp group where cyclists can share real-time information about road conditions. I cycled Jotunheimenvegen a few days ago and shared the good news with the group.

Road closures due to landslides and damage from last year’s Storm Hans, have all been reported in the app, allowing cyclists to make informed decisions about their routes. Even if a road is officially closed, if the workers have gone home for the night, it’s not illegal to cycle it, but you do so at your own risk.

For instance, Trollstigen, as of June 5th, is still closed this year due to a landslide in May. However, this hasn’t stopped cyclists from crossing over in the evening, and without cars, it’s a real treat!

The moral here is that cyclists need to collaborate and communicate about where they can ride early in the season. Cycle Norway can create the platform and build the community, but it relies on individuals willing to share information with the group.

Here’s what we know from the community:

Paved Roads

Røldalfjellet – Many tourists have been asking about this route. There is no website with the opening date. The official date is June 15th. However, I spoke with the ski resort manager next to the road, and he said cyclists could ride it before then. He didn’t see it being a problem.

All main paved roads including the Norwegian scenic routes can be found here: https://www.vegvesen.no/trafikkinformasjon/reiseinformasjon/fjelloverganger/

Join the WhatsApp group and help provide information to the community. Together, we can make it better for everyone! https://chat.whatsapp.com/Jf9q1Ndq2cKE2Or1HPSqYe

Full Road Opening & Closure Page here: https://cyclenorway.com/opening-closure-of-roads/