Arctic Circle - going north - anyone done this?
Discussion
I've read twice now about trips to the artice circle and beyond in road cars.
First some while back I think Autocar drove an Austin Maxi to the ARtic Circle in Sweeden.
Then last year an article on driving to Tromso in Norway (some distance into the artice circle) in a Bentley Azure.
This has rather tickled my fancy, but being a sensible sort of chap, these two tales from car magazines probably don't represent the actual experience in the most realistic terms (i.e. you don't hear about how cold it was etc!)
So I thought I'd open it up to the masses and ask - anyone else driven to the arctic in their road car? How was it?
First some while back I think Autocar drove an Austin Maxi to the ARtic Circle in Sweeden.
Then last year an article on driving to Tromso in Norway (some distance into the artice circle) in a Bentley Azure.
This has rather tickled my fancy, but being a sensible sort of chap, these two tales from car magazines probably don't represent the actual experience in the most realistic terms (i.e. you don't hear about how cold it was etc!)
So I thought I'd open it up to the masses and ask - anyone else driven to the arctic in their road car? How was it?
I flew a couple of years ago in winter (Finland). I know this isn't really helpful, but I was amazed at how 'normally' everyone drove on snow covered roads.
In those very low temperatures (-10C and below) the snow doesn't seem too slippy. They clear the roads, leaving an inch or two of compacted snow on the surface. Everyone uses snow tyres (not chains or studs) and seem to get on just fine. Coaches and trucks seem to use studs on their steering axles, but not on anything else.
The extreme cold may take its' toll on your car though, I'd suggest it's in tip top condition with new coolant etc before you go. They use a 'winterised' diesel fuel (if that's what your car uses) that doesn't wax as early as UK diesel. You will need snow tyres, I believe they're a little noisier on normal roads and wear out quicker, but are essential. Also it's not a bad idea to make sure you know how to drive on snow/ice. It's not difficult, but most people in the Uk seem unable to cope with slippery conditions.
I'd go for it if I was you, in fact, I may just do so myself in the near future. It's a fantastic place IMO, I just love the cold, snow, dark, etc. etc.
In those very low temperatures (-10C and below) the snow doesn't seem too slippy. They clear the roads, leaving an inch or two of compacted snow on the surface. Everyone uses snow tyres (not chains or studs) and seem to get on just fine. Coaches and trucks seem to use studs on their steering axles, but not on anything else.
The extreme cold may take its' toll on your car though, I'd suggest it's in tip top condition with new coolant etc before you go. They use a 'winterised' diesel fuel (if that's what your car uses) that doesn't wax as early as UK diesel. You will need snow tyres, I believe they're a little noisier on normal roads and wear out quicker, but are essential. Also it's not a bad idea to make sure you know how to drive on snow/ice. It's not difficult, but most people in the Uk seem unable to cope with slippery conditions.
I'd go for it if I was you, in fact, I may just do so myself in the near future. It's a fantastic place IMO, I just love the cold, snow, dark, etc. etc.
The Furball crew www.fb5k.com did a Viking Tour last year, and by all accounts was such a success that they are offering it again this year.I have spoken to many of drivers who all had a fantastic time on the roads (and Tunnels) in Norway and Sweden. You can read their comments in the forum.
Darren
Darren
Thanks chaps.
Gemini - any idea how along ago the sprint article was? Would love to get my hands on a copy, will try ebay as a first stop.
Good point about ice driving - I've done varous skid courses, and had some experience driving in the alps across fresh/packed snow in minibusses, and also reasonable experience in the UK (dartmoor as a youngster!) guess it wouldn't hurt to do a refresher course though.
Looked at the FB5K tour - looks lovely, but they don't seem to actually go very far north and I'd prefer to travel in my own company for this sort of trip as it will be a good chance to pop in and see friends in Bergen (how I plan to persuade mrs_t to come along if I take this any further).
Timing would be aiming for April - key part of the plan is to get a good look at the northern lights, so although it's not exactly darkness 24/7 at that point, it's not really Arctic summer and the temperatures will from what I've read be solidly sub zero.
As for which car to take - well if I'm going to visit friends and see the lights then I should probably take the 'sensible' car, but there is an evil gremlin on my shoulder pointing out that taking an Aero8 to the arctic would be a lot more memorable (and probably colder, dangerous and foolhardy too!) than a BMW saloon...
Only a germ of an idea - but it does look remarkably doable - and a somewhat different road trip which is attractive...
Gemini - any idea how along ago the sprint article was? Would love to get my hands on a copy, will try ebay as a first stop.
Good point about ice driving - I've done varous skid courses, and had some experience driving in the alps across fresh/packed snow in minibusses, and also reasonable experience in the UK (dartmoor as a youngster!) guess it wouldn't hurt to do a refresher course though.
Looked at the FB5K tour - looks lovely, but they don't seem to actually go very far north and I'd prefer to travel in my own company for this sort of trip as it will be a good chance to pop in and see friends in Bergen (how I plan to persuade mrs_t to come along if I take this any further).
Timing would be aiming for April - key part of the plan is to get a good look at the northern lights, so although it's not exactly darkness 24/7 at that point, it's not really Arctic summer and the temperatures will from what I've read be solidly sub zero.
As for which car to take - well if I'm going to visit friends and see the lights then I should probably take the 'sensible' car, but there is an evil gremlin on my shoulder pointing out that taking an Aero8 to the arctic would be a lot more memorable (and probably colder, dangerous and foolhardy too!) than a BMW saloon...
Only a germ of an idea - but it does look remarkably doable - and a somewhat different road trip which is attractive...
I flew up there last year in a Beech Bonanza, we got as far as Spitsbergen. We stopped off in Tromso and Hammerfest. The temperatures bring a unique set of problems, as the prvious post indicated, driving on the roads isn't the problem, it is what happens to the vehicle when you leave it outside overnight. I noticed that all of the airport utility vehicles were plugged in to the mains when not in use. The temperatures can easily fall to -20C overnight which will bugger your battery and isnt good for fuel systems and oil. We used special pre heaters for the engines as trying to start an engine that has been cold soaked overnight can do massive amounts of damage, perhaps not quite so bad on your average car engine. My advice would be to do a little research.
GG
GG
Hi Rich - Long time no see, hope you're well...
I've spent a bit of time in Norway, speak some Norwegian and have many friends out there.
In April there will still be some snow in the North so you'll need to look into snow tyres when you get there. As the previous poster says tempatures overnight are the problem. All of my friends have electric blankets & heaters in the engine bay which get plugged in 30 mins or so before thinking about starting up. Ice is the biggest problem along with frozen snow.
Speeding is viewed *very* dimly in Norway. If you get caught way above the limit then arrest and even a custodial sentence are on the cards. Be warned!! Sweden is more relaxed here.
Having said all that, it's a wonderful place and a Norwegian friend is a friend for life.
Oh, by the way, the Northern Lights are utterly amazing.
I've spent a bit of time in Norway, speak some Norwegian and have many friends out there.
In April there will still be some snow in the North so you'll need to look into snow tyres when you get there. As the previous poster says tempatures overnight are the problem. All of my friends have electric blankets & heaters in the engine bay which get plugged in 30 mins or so before thinking about starting up. Ice is the biggest problem along with frozen snow.
Speeding is viewed *very* dimly in Norway. If you get caught way above the limit then arrest and even a custodial sentence are on the cards. Be warned!! Sweden is more relaxed here.
Having said all that, it's a wonderful place and a Norwegian friend is a friend for life.
Oh, by the way, the Northern Lights are utterly amazing.
The FB5K Viking Tour is looking increasingly likely to head into the Arctic Circle for 2008. Norway shines that much more brightly than the rest of Scandinavia from a driving point of view so Sweden and Denmark are dropped in favour of exploring more of it's northern goodies.
Ironically there is a dedicated Arctic Tour taking place in April. It doesn't sound right for you though because that's a long way inside the Arctic Circle and on snowmobiles and dog sleds. One thing I would say though is take the Aero8. There will be times while you're away that you regret it but those aren't the moments that you're going to remember forever. Life's too short to always follow your head!
Ironically there is a dedicated Arctic Tour taking place in April. It doesn't sound right for you though because that's a long way inside the Arctic Circle and on snowmobiles and dog sleds. One thing I would say though is take the Aero8. There will be times while you're away that you regret it but those aren't the moments that you're going to remember forever. Life's too short to always follow your head!
Agreed. I've just looked at the itinery of the Viking tour which would be stunning. The South Western coast of Norway is simply amazing, especially around Kristiansund and Molde.
For a guaranteed view of the Nothern lights you'd need to head significantly further North. Bodø is a small but wonderful city where you'd start to see the lights but ideally you'd head further North still into Lappland. I've had a few nights drinking Karsk and watching the lights laid in the snow 'cos after drinking that you can't feel anything
Rich - Go do it. It's amazing. In fact, drop me a mail and we'll see if I can hook up too!
For a guaranteed view of the Nothern lights you'd need to head significantly further North. Bodø is a small but wonderful city where you'd start to see the lights but ideally you'd head further North still into Lappland. I've had a few nights drinking Karsk and watching the lights laid in the snow 'cos after drinking that you can't feel anything
Rich - Go do it. It's amazing. In fact, drop me a mail and we'll see if I can hook up too!
Gruffy,
If you do go into the Arctic circle please email me the details. I know Top Gear have already had anAtom there, but it would be great to go.
I've just returned from Morocco
http://atombmwexpedition.blogspot.com/
If you do go into the Arctic circle please email me the details. I know Top Gear have already had anAtom there, but it would be great to go.
I've just returned from Morocco
http://atombmwexpedition.blogspot.com/
Edited by John Lloyd on Monday 12th November 22:24
Gruffy said:
The FB5K Viking Tour is looking increasingly likely to head into the Arctic Circle for 2008. Norway shines that much more brightly than the rest of Scandinavia from a driving point of view so Sweden and Denmark are dropped in favour of exploring more of it's northern goodies.
Ironically there is a dedicated Arctic Tour taking place in April. It doesn't sound right for you though because that's a long way inside the Arctic Circle and on snowmobiles and dog sleds. One thing I would say though is take the Aero8. There will be times while you're away that you regret it but those aren't the moments that you're going to remember forever. Life's too short to always follow your head!
That's me on the snow road....Ironically there is a dedicated Arctic Tour taking place in April. It doesn't sound right for you though because that's a long way inside the Arctic Circle and on snowmobiles and dog sleds. One thing I would say though is take the Aero8. There will be times while you're away that you regret it but those aren't the moments that you're going to remember forever. Life's too short to always follow your head!
i'm looking forward to next year already, more norway/artic circle suits me!
might need a scarf though.........
Gruffy said:
I'll know our plans before the end of the year, but it looks likely at this stage. I'm certainly keen to tick that box.
John, it'd be interesting to compare notes as the Atlas Mountains were on my shortlist of potential tours for 2009. Maybe try and catch up at the next Ace night.
Morocco is very easy. Ferry Plymouth to Santander (Northern Spain) one or two day blast to Algeciras or we actually used Tarifa for the ferry to Tanger only 40 minutes. Fill in a temporary import licence. Remember to get 3rd party car insurance as you enter (we forgot!!) John, it'd be interesting to compare notes as the Atlas Mountains were on my shortlist of potential tours for 2009. Maybe try and catch up at the next Ace night.
Then drive as fast as you like the police salute you as you zoom past at 130mph. Or pull you over to chat about your speed. The government is trying to encourage tourisum so we have an unfair advantage on the roads.
Talking of roads they are all brilliant. Lots of twisty A and B roads or a new motorway system has been recently completed so you can blast between main cities. Hotels at all prices, had a great time.
Skinny dipping at the Hilton Hotel, Rabat!!!
Gruffy said:
We're very conscious of it too. We're having a major overhaul in December, ready for the new year.
Cool - I'm interested in seeing where you'd like to go.In the last 12 months I've been through much of Europe & some of Eastern Europe so looking for something further afield. Suspect I'm not alone in this!
If you need help with Norwegian names/words drop me a mail.
Smifffy said:
Gruffy said:
We're very conscious of it too. We're having a major overhaul in December, ready for the new year.
Cool - I'm interested in seeing where you'd like to go.In the last 12 months I've been through much of Europe & some of Eastern Europe so looking for something further afield. Suspect I'm not alone in this!
If you need help with Norwegian names/words drop me a mail.
i gave up and just said fjord and waterfall and wow! as and when appropriate!!
just 11 days to the furryball and the announcent of next years tours!!
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