2012 will be the eight summer in a row with rolling vikings smiling, despairing and laughing while fighting hairpin roads and hidden fjords many Norwegians have not heard of. And practically all will come grinning and and roaring with tears in their eyes up on the final summit on the last day. We hope to welcome just the right mix of young and old, fly-weight, bantams and elephants as in previous years. This mix is surely the single most important contributor to the special informal and warm atmosphere that makes VT more than another cycling competition.
It is hard enough to believe ones eyes when the first riders to circle up the mountains like eagles on warm air streams. But just as impressive: The iron will of those having struggled since break of dawn in small lojal groups far behind the peloton. As they keep eating away at never-ending hillsides... Sweaty faces with thrilled eyes conquering the mean last little climb... When they point down to the fjord some 1500 meters below to start their tale...some dance, some cry...all remember.
Both organisers, roadside fans and not to mention the riders themselves are very keen to welcome anyone simply up for an ultimate cycling holiday. Wether your goal is to complete the week or to drown in lactic acid just a little later than your best competitor: The nature, the challenge and the atmosphere is their for us all to enjoy. And our welcoming you only gets warmer the later you arrive at the line.Time limit: Winter
A short word about the crew: It consists of former participants and enthusiasts who appreciate the familiarity and companionship as much as the most challenging cycling north of the Alps.
Like the cycling participants, they travel from Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Sweden and both ends of Norway to be part of this strangely thrilling experience.
During VT you can skip stages. Having a bad day, needing rest or just wanting to take photos for a day: at any time you can step off and ride with the pick-up van to the daily stage finish. And you are of course very welcome to start cycling again next morning. If you started in a competition class, you`l be moved to touring. Full honours and privileges intact. Inspired by the Giro delle Dolomiti we ride parts of stages non-timed and together in controlled and protected groups. Now and then we use alternative roads or stop for short breakes so that other traffic can pass us easily. And then there are the feeding stations: Our goal is to have the best feeding stations in Norway; again happy to learn from all helpful cycling souls.
If you fall, we have professional emergency medic, if you get ill we`ll get you a doctor and if your bike is suffering, along comes the mechanic. If you have to return home before planned, we make sure you get back to the start or a nearby place with better communications.
Make no mistake: The Viking Tour is also an extrememly tough stage race, with a route unmatched north of the Alps. For the competition classes there are challenges in abundance. Creating new routes, we always end up asking ourselves if we have watched too much TdF and lost ground contact. That`s the question many participants ask themselves -especially after they have signed up. Don`t you love the feeling of not being 100% sure...
For riders not nowing for sure they can handle heavier gearing, we strongly recommend a triple or compact crank. Most riders will need gearing equal to 34x27...
